When you are waiting for your beard to grow it can be incredibly frustrating. You see, everyone’s beard growing journey is different and it depends on a variety of factors as to whether or not your beard grows when you are younger or if you have to wait into your mid 30s until it gets thick and dense. It is normal for new beard growers and young people to ask how late can beards come in? Well, there is no simple answer but in this article we will cover everything you need to know about how and when you should expect your beard to grow.
How To Train Your Beard To Grow Str...
Some beards can come in as young as 18 to 20 while others may only have patched and sparse coverage up until their late 20s. Beards are a secondary effect of testosterone. Depending on their genetics some men may also never achieve a full thick beard.
When I was about 13 I just couldn’t wait to shave. I had fuzziness on my top lip and on my cheeks… Just. I actually lied about when I started shaving because I was so impatient and just wanted to live up to what my friends were experiencing as they had all started shaving. Little did I know at the time but I didn’t have to worry. Throughout my 20s and into my early 30s my beard continued to develop. Now I have a full, thick beard without patches that grows densely and evenly. If you had told young Andy that he would be rocking a full-length beard in his early 30s he would have relaxed much more about his facial hair.
One of the biggest determinants of your beard growth is all about your genetics and heritage. People of Asian descent quite often struggle to grow a thick and luxurious beard whilst Indian and Mediterranean heritage dictates that you are more than likely able to grow a good thick beard.
Now, let’s take a look at different ages and what we can expect for each age group.
Is it normal to have a beard at 16?
There is something seriously wrong with this question…We have to define what normal is. The simple answer is there is no normal and everyone’s beard develops at different stages. Beards do not care what age you are they only care about the man of testosterone and androgen receptors that are in your face. Due to the huge variation in human beings there is no normal age to expect about grow a beard. It’s actually anywhere between about 16 and 40 years old and it’s also perfectly normal not to ever to be able to grow a beard.
You may have friends who are 16 and have a full beard. I actually had a friend who seem to have gone through all the stages of puberty when he was about 13. This made me compare myself to him and feel like I was not normal. The truth is that we were both normal and that normal exists on a spectrum.
So, some people will have beards at 16 while others will have to wait until there late 20s to see any significant growth. That doesn’t mean that you can’t look after your facial hair and skin before your growth sets in.
Also, have a look at the men in your family. Can they grow beard? Has everyone in your family got a beard? What about your uncles and cousins – do they have beards? If you want to know if you can grow a beard check out my YouTube video where I go through full simple checks that you can make to see if your beard will grow into something you’re proud of:
Is it normal to not have a beard at 20?
If you do not have a beard at 20 years old do not worry there is plenty of opportunity to grow a thicker and fuller beard. If however you do not have any hair on your face or it is incredibly thin and patchy you may not be able to grow a full coverage beard. But that shouldn’t stop you from thinking about the sorts of beard styles that will work for you.
Once again, there is no normal when it comes to beard growth. Everyone’s journey is different. For me I did not have a significant beard at 20 I had strong growth on my chin and upper lip but the cheeks were patchy. It wasn’t until my late 20s that everything combined and I was able to grow a great beard.
Some users from Reddit talked about this exact subject, this is what they have to say:
I’m 24 and can grow a great beard now (actually get compliments on it) and it gets better every year. I had a neck beard starting at 15-16 and it was fairly patchy till 20-21, and I wasn’t fully confident growing it out until I was 22.
I believe the magic age for my brothers has been 25 or so. The whole facial hair thing seems largely dependant on genetics, so if you have any male relatives maybe look to them for a clue?
I’m 23 and it’s still growing. I’m noticing it has increased in uh..fullness..alotsince I started working out. I’ve got a few patches left, but it’s 100% better since I was 20.
Yes. I had a very patchy, comical beard at 22, the last time I tried to grow a full one. I’m 42 now, and it comes in full and complete, but also gray.
As you can see, these users still have a fair bit of growth that they are able to achieve and it looks like they are continuing to see increases in growth after 20.
So if you are 20 and you are worried that you don’t have a beard just yet don’t worry. Just wait. There is no reason why you can’t look after your beard and skin by keeping it well moisturised and if you have a little bit of stubble you can soften up and condition the hair by using products like beard oil and other moisturising products.
If you want to know about my journey and if beard growth increases with age check out my YouTube video where I go through my journey from 17, to 21, to 35 and everything in between.
Can a beard grow after 30?
If you do not have any facial hair on your face after 30 you probably can’t grow a beard. However, if you have facial hair but are waiting for it to thicken up you may be in luck. Facial hair can thicken after 30 and the hairs can get thicker and denser. But it is uncommon for men who have no facial hair before the age of 30 to experience any significant increase in their facial hair.
But do not worry there are a few ways that you can grow your facial hair after the age of 30 that has been proven by science. For a full rundown check out my other article – is there a proven way to grow facial hair? [The studies you need to know about] – click here.
Here’s a quick rundown of what you can do after the age of 30 if you want to grow a beard:
- beard transplants – beard transplants are a pretty intrusive intervention for growing a beard. They take hairs from other parts of your face and inject them into your skin grafting the full hair root and a little bit of skin around it.
- Minoxidil – minoxidil was first used as an oral medicine for the treatment of hypertension. But at the same time doctors observed that there was hair regrowth in bolding patients which led to the development of a topical treatment for hair growth. It has been used off label on the face with varying results. If you feel like minoxidil is a good option for you check out the sub Reddit Minoxbeards for a full rundown on everything that you need to know about.
- Testosterone injections – the importance of androgen hormones in determining beard growth was first found in 1942. In 1949 a small study found that if you administer testosterone to elderly males that they produce more beard growth. The results of experiments showed that the average weight of beard production was 46 mg of beard and after two months of testosterone injections it was 71 mg of beard.
If you are 30 it is up to you how you intrusive you want the beard treatments to get. Before launching into any surgical intervention however make sure that you know what you’re getting yourself in two and you understand the side-effects and the reasonable outcomes. You wouldn’t want to go through all of this invasive treatment to not end up with a beard that you are happy with and a wallet that is way emptier than before.
Do beards get thicker with age?
The thickness of the beard hair is determined by the production of testosterone and the amount of testosterone and androgen receptors that are in the face. Many people experience beard is getting thicker with age. Most men report that their beard growth thicker from the age of about 25 mile after the age of about 35 men’s testosterone production reduces by about 1 to 2% every year. This can cause thinning out of beard hair and a reduction in the thickness of the beard.
Testosterone (and beards) as we age
Clearly we can see that there is an important link between testosterone and DHT and the growth of a beard.
We can, therefore, take a look at the amount of testosterone produced in the body as a function of time to determine whether or not beard growth increases with age.
Normal testosterone
The “normal” or healthy level of testosterone in the bloodstream varies widely, depending on thyroid function, protein status, and other factors.
According to recent guidelines from the American Urological Association (AUA), a testosterone level of at least 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) is normal for a man. A man with a testosterone level below 300 ng/dL should be diagnosed with low testosterone.
The decrease in testosterone
As men get older, their testosterone levels may decline by about 1 -2 percent per year after age 30.
Although this slight reduction of testosterone doesn’t seem like much on the surface, what this means is that after ten years of a 1-2 % drop every twelve months, a man could find that his production of testosterone is down 20 percent.
Now that can make a tremendous adverse impact on his overall well-being quality of life as well as the growth and thickness of the beard.
Here is a breakdown of the testosterone levels in men at different ages fromthis source.
| Age Years | Total Testosterone Average Range | Normal Total Testosterone |
| 30 – 40 | 219 – 1009 ng/dL | 600 – 675 ng/dL |
| 40 – 50 | 201 – 993 ng/dL | 500 – 550 ng/dL |
| 50 – 60 | 170 – 918 ng/dL | 400 – 450 ng/dL |
| Over 60 | 156 – 700 ng/dL | 300 – 350 ng/dL |
This reduction in testosterone from the age of 30 will likely cause the beard to reduce in thickness and color but it is your genetics that really plays a huge part in determining your beard growth.
Who is the youngest person with a beard?
The youngest people to develop beards typically have rare genetic conditions. In 2016 a toddler who was one year old had facial hair and had been through adult puberty. The child was diagnosed with a super rare condition known as precocious puberty. This caused the baby to have all of the effects of puberty at a very very young age. The doctor that treated him said it is a rare case that happens once in 10 or so years.
The youngest woman to have a beard is Harnaam Kaur who is a 24 year old British anti-bullying activist, life coach, and motivational speaker. She first started to notice that she was grow facial hair at the age of 11 and was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome at the age of 12. This is a condition which means she has much more testosterone than most women which is what causes the facial hair to grow.
The two cases above are examples where there is a rare genetic condition. Therefore when you are looking for the youngest people with beards you need to make sure that you are comparing them to yourself with similar genetic make up.
Beard growth stages
If you are interested in the stages of beard growth going check out my other article – growing a beard? These are the stages that you can expect to go through – click here.
The stages of beer growth come down to the time that you have not shaved. The speed thickness and density of the growth will vary from person to person but largely this is what you can expect:
- one week in – you don’t have much to show the state other than a little bit of overgrown stubble.
- Two weeks in – you are starting to look a little bit scruffy as the hairs are starting to curl and escape the safety of your skin.
- One month – your beard will start to be looking much thicker and you will be getting an idea of where you are and are not able to grow a beard.
- Week six – this is where you are able to define the neckline and trim up any stray hairs that may be escaping the overall shape of the beard.
- Week 10 – you’ll start noticing that the chin is looking denser and has got some nice length to it.
- Week 16 – this is only the start and your beard can get much longer than you thought. Take a look at the length and patches and approach a barber to trim up if you feel like you need a little bit of help moulding the style.
Check out my YouTube video where I go through all of the stages of beard growth and what you can expect. I include pictures of every single stage of my beard growth from day zero until full coverage. It is important to note that my beard journey is only about my experience. There are plenty of other videos online and I recommend that you look at a range of them to get an idea of the types of stages and beard growth that different people experience.
Conclusion
Your beard can come in anywhere from 16 through to 35. It is common that people see a significant amount of beard growth in their mid 20s as the testosterone is having its secondary effect on the hairs of your face.
There is no doubt that waiting for a beard is a painfully slow process. You will go through every stage and question whether or not you should or shouldn’t be growing a beard. The solution to nearly every problem with beard is to wait. You need to wait for at least three months without shaving before you know whether or not you can grow a good beard.
It will take some time and you may have to wait until your mid 20s before you decide on your beard growing potential. There are lots of things you can do before growing a beard such as moisturising and using beard oil on the shorter hairs to prepare your face for its beard growing journey.
Happy beard growing my beautiful beard growing friends and I wish you good luck in your beard growing journey!
FAQs
How late can a full beard come in? ›
Typically, full beard growth is possible starting at around age 18, but for many men, that time may not arrive until they're 30.
At what age does a man's beard fully develop? ›Most men will have a full beard by their early 20s, but some may need to wait until they hit 30 to reach full beard growth. Puberty might initiate the facial hair growing process, but how fast and thick your beard grows will depend on factors that we'll discuss below, including genetics and hormone levels.
Can beard start growing in late 20s? ›Some men see their full beard come in when they're as young as 18 or 19. Others may continue to have sparse areas of growth until their mid-to-late 20s or even later.
What will my beard look like in 6 months? ›The 6 month beard is what some call “the power beard”. It's big, thick, and about 3 inches (7,6 centimeters) long. By this point the front of your neck will no longer be visible, and depending on how fast your beard grows, the length may even have surpassed your collar bones already.
Is not being able to grow a beard mean low testosterone? ›Does No Beard Mean Low Testosterone? That's not entirely true. Testosterone can influence facial hair quality, but when your genes are not favorable for beard production, testosterone can't help. Most men have similar levels of testosterone, including men without a beard.
How can I speed up my beard growth? ›Making sure to keep testosterone levels within a stable, healthy range by regularly exercising, eating well, getting sufficient, restful sleep, and exfoliating can help a person's beard grow as thick and full as it is naturally able.
Why can't I grow a beard at 30? ›It is down to genetics unfortunately. Some people just don't have the genes to grow thick facial hair. Many people just don't give themselves the best chance and give up before seeing any results!
Why can't I grow a beard at 40? ›Answer: Poor beard growth
Some men are just not genetically programmed to develop beard hair. It is difficult to see your beard area in the photograph submitted but perhaps you should just accept that this is your situation.
Your genetics are the primary factor that determines how thick your beard will grow. You can't change your genetics but living an overall healthy lifestyle and eating a balanced diet can help you maximize your beard growing potential. Many men's beards continue to get thicker into their 30s.
Can I still grow a beard at 25? ›Genetics also affect where facial hair grows and when your beard reaches its full potential. “From ages 18 to 30, most beards continue to develop in thickness and coarseness,” he says. “So if you're 18 and wondering why you don't have a full beard yet, it just may not be time.”
Why can't I grow a beard at 23? ›
Answer: Beard Growth and Age
The amount of beard growth will depend on inheritance (your genes). You may grow more beard hair right up to age 30. After that age you may want to consider a beard hair transplant. Those who say that at age 23 that is "all the facial hair you will get" are misinformed.
Beard hair growth can mature well into a man's 30's so not having a beard at 21 is very possible. You can look at others in your family also to see if this is a common trait.
What does 2 months of beard growth look like? ›On average, facial hair grows about half an inch every month. So a 2 month beard is typically around an inch long. That means you can start doing some light, careful trimming. But beware of going crazy - overdoing it on the trimming at this point is bad news.
How long is the average beard after 1 year? ›However, the average growth rate tends to remain somewhere around half an inch per month. So, after a year of continuous growth with no trimming, the average man has a beard of up to six inches in length.
What is the awkward stage of beard growth? ›The awkward phase is a stretch of time around 2 to 3 weeks of growth where your hair is significantly longer than stubble but shorter than a typical beard. It's still a bit itchy and it can be hard to style to your liking. Getting through this phase requires time, patience, and commitment.
Does a full beard mean high testosterone? ›The results showed that beard length (directly measured and self-reported) was not related to testosterone levels or dominance; thus, no evidence was found to support the hypothesis that beards are honest (or dishonest) signals of the beard owners' testosterone levels and dominance.
What hormones help beard growth? ›The truth is that the hormones responsible for beard growth are testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). While testosterone is responsible for hair follicle priming, DHT promotes the linear growth of facial hair.
Does a patchy beard fill in? ›Sure, it may fill in as you age, but that's as much a part of your genetics as the fact that you're patchy to begin with. While you can make a patchy beard look more full, the first thing you've got to do is embrace the beard you've got. You won't make it fuller by wishing for new hairs.
Does drinking water help grow beard? ›Drink Lots and Lots of Water
Staying hydrated is key to healthy skind, good health in general and hair growth too. Think of each strand of hair, from the follicle out, as a tree growing out of your head or beard that needs plently of water to grow. It's not easy to get used to drinking as much water as you need.
B vitamins like B-12, biotin, and niacin can strengthen and help condition hair. Read more about vitamins and hair. One such supplement — Beardalizer — promises to boost beard growth by providing nutrients like vitamin C, biotin, and vitamin A.
What causes facial hair to grow slower? ›
Hormones responsible for beard growth are dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone. DHT can affect your beard's density while testosterone defines its thickness. Not everyone has the same levels of these hormones and those with lower levels may experience slower beard growth.
Do testosterone boosters work for beard growth? ›Testosterone boosters can help improve beard growth by elevating testosterone levels which in turn increases the amount of DHT present in the bloodstream. As we mentioned earlier, DHT supports the pace of beard growth, so in hindsight, booster use is beneficial.
Will testosterone help with facial hair? ›How does testosterone aid in growing facial hair? By interacting with the tiny hair follicles (sacs in the skin) you have on your face. It pigments them giving them a darker color and stimulating them to thicken. However, testosterone without the right genetics won't give you a bushy beard.
Does beard get thicker in 30s? ›Age is a big factor in beard growth. While most men experience some facial hair growth around the age of 16, it doesn't usually turn into a full beard until the mid 20's. Your beard will continue to thicken well into your 30s and 40s, so if your beard is still patchy in your early 20s, try again in a few years.
How much is a full beard transplant? ›Facial hair transplant can cost anywhere from about $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the number of transplanted hairs and the patient's specific needs. While this may appear costly, there are different payment options available and many patients feel the results are well worth the expense.
Do beards make you age slower? ›Slows Ageing
By growing a beard, you can keep your skin looking younger and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Growing a beard can also prevent your skin from drying out. The skin produces natural oils that keep it soft and younger-looking, but it's all too easy to miss out on these benefits if you're clean shaven.
Yes, your beard can get thicker with age. But you'll need to be patient—it may take years to achieve the fullness and density you want. The exact amount of growth depends on a number of factors: genetics, diet, stress levels and overall health—all things that affect hair growth in general.
What percentage of men cant grow a full beard? ›Studies have shown that up to 50% of men have difficulty growing facial hair. There are many reasons why this may be the case, from genetic factors to simple changes in hormone levels. Whatever the cause, it can be frustrating for those who want to grow a beard but can't seem to make it happen.
Why am I 25 and cant grow a beard? ›The most common cause is genetic that is it may run in your family. Testosterone levels should also be evaluated for the same. Even if the levels of testosterone is normal, you hair may not be having receptors necessary for growth of beard on the face. There are no creams, oils or tablets to induce beard growth.
Do beards continue to get thicker? ›The simple truth is: the more you let your beard grow out, the thicker it'll continue to grow. Combine that with maturation and over time many of the patches you might experience early on will slowly start to fill in and your mustache might just end up connecting with the rest of your facial hair over time.
Should I trim my beard while growing it? ›
"Growing a beard takes plenty of time, patience and dedication," says Elliot Forbes, a barber whose ASMR shaving videos have racked up around three billion views. "There's more to it than letting things grow wild. In fact, trimming your beard is a key part of the growing process."
Does shaving everyday help beard growth? ›Does shaving every day speed up beard growth? No. This is an old myth that has no research to support it. Your beard hair may look thicker when you shave because you've trimmed off the thinner tops of the hairs and exposed the thicker, darker base near the follicle.
Does biotin help beard growth? ›If you have a condition that's associated with biotin status, such as alopecia or intestinal malabsorption of biotin due to a variety of factors, supplementing with the nutrient may improve hair and beard growth, though it has limited effectiveness in healthy men ( 9 ).
Why don't I have a beard at 22? ›Answer: Beard growth
If by your early 20's you have not been able to grow a beard, it's likely in your genetics to not have a beard. You may want to check with your Father and Grandfather when they and if they were able to grow a beard.
At the four to six-month mark, you should have the kind of burly beard that's filled in and more or less looks like it's going to look for the foreseeable future. By this stage, the chances are good that you'll have a consistent beard care routine down pat and be comfortable living as a bearded man.
What are the first signs of beard growth? ›Starting with a clean shaven face, the first stage of beard growth is stubble. This is when your face still has a mostly smooth texture but, you might start to see some hair growing in above the lip, on the sideburns or along your jawline. This stage is also known as the 5 o'clock shadow.
How many months should I let my beard grow? ›Let Your Beard Grow for at Least Two Months Before Trimming. After your *final* shave, step away from a razor. To start a beard, you have to be patient and just let it do its thing. Plan on allowing your facial hair to grow for at least two months before you start even considering trimming or shaping.
What does a 3 month beard look like? ›At the three month mark men that naturally grow thick beards should no longer be able to see their chin, jaw, or lower cheeks at all. Men with modestly patchy beards, may see some bald spots on the upper cheek area as these continue to fill slowly over the months.
How long is a number 1 beard? ›The hard part is then determining what length corresponds to what size beard. Well, let me make that easier for you, too: If you want a 5 o'clock shadow, use 1/16-inch guard, usually a #1 or a #0; if you want a short beard, try a ⅝-inch guard, or even a ¾, sometimes labeled as a #4.
Can a beard take years to grow? ›Beards grow about half an inch per month for most men who grow facial hair. Beard length will max out at around six years of uninterrupted growth. When left alone, most men will be able to grow a beard that is three feet in length. On average, it takes men two to four months to develop a full-on beard.
Do girls like beards? ›
This graph shows data from the 2016 study published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology showing that facial hair of any kind is more attractive than a smooth clean shaven face. The study also found that women were not only more attracted to them, but expected to have longer relationships with men rocking a beard.
How many weeks before a beard looks good? ›Beards take time. Most men require three to five weeks before you can truly understand how your beard will take shape.
Can you grow a beard past 25? ›Age, however, does affect beard growth in some cases. The “prime” time for facial hair growth is between the ages of 25 and 35, generally speaking. But many men report that their beard continues to grow at a healthy rate even after they qualify for an AARP card.
Will my beard get thicker after 30? ›Yes, your beard can get thicker with age. But you'll need to be patient—it may take years to achieve the fullness and density you want. The exact amount of growth depends on a number of factors: genetics, diet, stress levels and overall health—all things that affect hair growth in general.
Why can't I grow a beard at 26? ›A beard is a product of two things: Time and Genetics. Believe it or not, many men cannot grow a great looking beard in their 20's. Beards can develop into a man's 30's.
Why can't I grow a full beard at 23? ›Answer: Beard Growth and Age
The amount of beard growth will depend on inheritance (your genes). You may grow more beard hair right up to age 30. After that age you may want to consider a beard hair transplant. Those who say that at age 23 that is "all the facial hair you will get" are misinformed.
Genetics also affect where facial hair grows and when your beard reaches its full potential. “From ages 18 to 30, most beards continue to develop in thickness and coarseness,” he says. “So if you're 18 and wondering why you don't have a full beard yet, it just may not be time.” Ethnicity can also play a role.
Do some people not grow full beards? ›Not every man is able to grow facial hair. The most common reason some men can't grow a beard is genetic factors. Some men who have trouble growing beards have turned to beard implants. Although beard implants are now available, they're expensive and are a surgical procedure.
What percentage of men can't grow a beard? ›Studies have shown that up to 50% of men have difficulty growing facial hair. There are many reasons why this may be the case, from genetic factors to simple changes in hormone levels. Whatever the cause, it can be frustrating for those who want to grow a beard but can't seem to make it happen.
What makes beard grow fuller? ›If you aren't getting enough out of your diet, take some vitamins and other supplements to maintain good beard growth. While there are some "beard vitamins" on the market, a general daily men's vitamin will have what you need to grow a thicker beard. These include biotin, vitamins E, C and D, zinc, magnesium and more.
Does a longer beard make you look older? ›
According to studies, beards make a man look older by nearly 8 years. interestingly, the longer the beard, the older you look. So, if you want to look older, grow a beard (or a longer one). If you want to look younger, shave (or trim) your facial hair and use Volt Beard Color to help cover your grays.
What age does facial hair peak? ›Age, however, does affect beard growth in some cases. The “prime” time for facial hair growth is between the ages of 25 and 35, generally speaking.