How Long Does It Take To Grow a Beard? (Here’s the Brutal Truth)
How Long Does It Take To Grow a Beard?
Let’s be honest, growing a beard takes patience.
And if you're sitting there, staring in the mirror every morning thinking, “is this it?”, you're not alone.
Maybe it’s patchy. Maybe it’s itchy. Maybe your mate's beard looks like Thor’s and yours looks like a worn-out paintbrush.
But here’s the truth, every great beard starts awkward.
So how long does it really take to grow a proper beard? Let’s break it down.
How Fast Does Facial Hair Grow?
On average, your beard grows about 0.3 to 0.5mm per day. That’s around 1.25cm per month.
Some grow faster, some slower, but that’s the ballpark.
What controls it?
-
Genetics - your family tree matters more than your razor
-
Testosterone levels
-
Age - your prime beard years are between 20 and 35
But the good news? There’s more you can do to improve your odds than you think.
Beard Growth Timeline (Week-by-Week Breakdown)
Here’s exactly what to expect and what to do at each stage.
Week 1: The Itchy Phase
-
Your skin’s adjusting.
-
Beard hair is coarse, and it starts to rub.
-
Most lads reach for the razor here.
Don’t do that! Instead, apply beard oil daily to soothe the skin and soften those bristles.
Week 2-4: The Patchy Mess
-
Growth isn’t even. It never is.
-
Cheeks lag behind the chin and upper lip.
-
You’ll be tempted to “tidy it up.” Resist.
Let it grow wild for now. Shape later.
Week 4-6: The Turning Point
-
Beard starts to settle. Direction, texture, volume.
-
You can start thinking about your neckline and cheek line.
-
Time to introduce beard balm and a boar bristle brush.
Start brushing daily to train the direction of growth.
Week 6-12: The Beard Takes Shape
-
You’ll see real density now.
-
Patchy spots start to fill in (or blend in).
-
You’re finally seeing what kind of beard you’re working with.
Trim for shape, not length. Keep oil and balm in rotation, or use both at the same time, oil first, then balm.
Can You Speed Up Beard Growth?
No miracle pill. No shortcut. But you can optimise the environment.
Here’s how:
Use Beard Oil Daily
Keeps the skin healthy, softens hair, reduces breakage.
Brush It With a Boar Bristle Brush
Stimulates blood flow to follicles and trains the direction of growth.
Eat Right & Sleep Hard
Protein, biotin, zinc, and quality sleep all support healthy growth.
Chill Out
Stress spikes cortisol, which slows testosterone and wrecks beard gains.
When Should You Start Trimming or Shaping?
Week 4 to 6 is usually the sweet spot.
Trim the neckline just above your Adam’s apple. Clean up the cheeks if they’re wild.
But don’t go full sculptor too early. Grow first, shape later.
When Will You Know If You Can Grow a Full Beard?
90 days.
That’s the minimum benchmark.
If you’re still patchy and struggling after 3 months of solid effort, then reassess. Until then, don’t even think about quitting.
Want to Speed It Up the Right Way?
You don’t need dodgy “growth serums” or pills off eBay.
You need consistency. Discipline. And the right tools.
Grab Braw Beard Oil to feed your face and soften those scratchy sprouts
Pick up a Braw Brush to train your growth into shape
Add a Beard Balm to tame and style as you build
FAQs
Q: Can everyone grow a beard?
A: Most men can, but fullness, coverage, and speed vary by genetics. Some need more time. Some need more patience.
Q: Does shaving make it grow faster?
A: Nah. Total myth. It just grows back blunt, which makes it look thicker short-term.
Q: What if I’m 18 and can’t grow much?
A: Don’t panic. Most men don’t hit full growth until their mid-20s. Your time will come.
Growing a beard isn’t just about hair, it’s about grit.
If you stick it out, nourish your skin, brush daily, and stop obsessing over every patch, you’ll wake up one morning and realise… you’ve got a great beard.
So keep going.
Stay patient. Stay focused. Stay Braw.
Feel the difference and join the #Brawtherhood
Thank you for reading; I hope it has been helpful.
JJ
Scottish beard care.
Born in Scotland, enjoyed Worldwide.
P.S. Use code – brawblog – at www.brawbeard.com for 10% off
Follow Braw Beard:
Instagram – http://instagram.com/brawbeardoils
Facebook – http://facebook.com/brawbeardoils/
Twitter – http://twitter.com/brawbeardoil
Subscribe to the Braw Beard Youtube channel for more videos. https://www.youtube.com/brawbeard
Catch up on the Braw Cast podcast HERE
Youtube – HERE
Spotify – HERE
Apple Podcasts – HERE
Google Podcasts – HERE
