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How Long Does It Take to Grow a Beard? Stages, Oils and Dye
How long does it take to grow a beard? Most men get a short full beard in about two to four months, and a long one in six months to a year. Hair grows roughly half an inch a month, but how thick it fills in is down to genetics and age.
The short answer: give it at least four weeks before you judge it, and ideally three months. Patchy cheeks often fill in during that time. Beard oil does not make the hair grow faster, and beard dye lasts a few weeks before new growth shows at the roots.
How long does it take to grow a beard?
Plan on about a month to see stubble that looks like a beard, three months for a full short beard and six months or more for length. Each man grows at his own pace.
| Time | What you see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 to 2 | Stubble, itchy | Moisturize, do not scratch |
| Week 3 to 4 | Patches show, the neck fills first | Keep the neckline clean |
| Month 2 | Cheeks start to fill, some curl | First shaping trim |
| Month 3 | A full short beard | Set the cheek line |
| Month 4 to 6 | Length and shape | Trim every 4 weeks |
Genetics decide how dense the beard will be. Age matters too, since many men keep filling in through their twenties and early thirties. Our guide to growing a beard in the first 90 days walks through those weeks and what to do with each stage.
On tight coily hair the beard looks shorter than it is. A coil can be two inches long and measure under an inch, so measure the length with the hair pulled straight when you want to know how far along you are.
What slows beard growth down?
Genetics, age and hormones set the pace, and sleep, nutrition and stress play a smaller part. You can control the small parts, but not the big ones.
- Genetics. If your father and uncles have thin beards, yours may be thin too.
- Age. Facial hair keeps thickening into the late twenties and early thirties for many men.
- Breakage. Dry hair and rough trimming can snap hairs, so the beard looks thinner than it is.
- Skin health. Ingrown hairs and irritation can hold growth back in spots.
- Medical causes. Thyroid problems, low testosterone, alopecia areata and some medicines can affect facial hair. Ask a doctor if growth stops or falls out in patches.
If you are wondering why your beard looks sparse, read why you cannot grow a beard. It covers the causes and the point where it makes sense to see a dermatologist.
Does beard growth oil work?
The honest answer is that published research does not show a beard oil speeding up how fast hair grows. Growth starts in the follicle under the skin, and an oil sits on top of it.
Products sold as growth oils often rely on testimonials. We do not make claims about any product and we do not sell one as a growth fix. If you are considering something that is applied to the skin or taken by mouth to grow hair, ask a doctor or dermatologist first, because some treatments have side effects.
What does help is leaving the beard alone while it fills in. Do not shave it off during the awkward weeks, because you reset the clock. Keep the skin clean, wash it gently and be patient. The same goes for tools. Our look at derma rollers and beard growth shows that the evidence there is mixed too.
Does beard oil help growth?
Beard oil helps how the beard looks and feels, not how fast it grows. A little oil softens the hair, reduces itch and adds shine, which can make a short beard look healthier.
Because coily and 4C beards are naturally dry, a light oil on damp hair helps them stay soft and less brittle. Softer hair breaks less, so over months you keep more length. That is the real benefit.
Use a few drops, rub them into your hands and work them through the beard down to the skin. Too much leaves the beard greasy and can clog pores, which causes bumps. If you get itching or flakes, it may be dry skin or dandruff, so ask a dermatologist if it does not clear. See our notes on beard styles for ways to wear the length you have in the meantime.
How long does beard dye last?
Beard dye usually lasts a few weeks before new growth shows white or gray at the roots. How long depends on how fast your beard grows, how much gray you have and how often you wash it.
Beards grow about half an inch a month, so a touch up every four to six weeks is common. Darker shades hide new growth more, and a shade close to your natural color fades most gently. Washing and sun exposure can fade the color sooner.
Lilacroix offers beard dyeing, which is call for pricing, and we match the shade to your hair so it looks natural. Our write up on beard dyeing for gray explains the process in the chair. If your skin reacts to hair dye, stop and see a doctor.
How do you shape a beard while it grows?
Shape it early. A beard that has a clean neckline and a set cheek line looks deliberate at any length, so do not wait for full growth to get the lines right.
At the one month point, clean the neck and the cheek line only. At month two, trim the whole beard to an even length so uneven spots blend. At month three, shape it with a guard and set the final edges. If you are not sure how to do it, read how to shape a beard, or book a trim. Our beard trim and sculpt is call for pricing, and the barber can set lines that suit your face while you grow.
Do not shave the cheeks to hide patches. A faded edge looks better than a bare patch next to a thick one.
What helps while you wait
Three habits make the waiting easier. First, take a photo on the first day and once a month after, because you do not see the change in the mirror but you do see it in the pictures. Second, keep the neckline clean even in the first weeks, since a tidy edge makes a short beard look chosen. Third, give each stage its full time before you decide it is not working.
Many men quit at week three, when the beard is itchy and uneven, and never see what it would have become. If you can get to week ten, you will know what you have. At that point a barber can set the shape, and you can decide whether to keep it short, grow it longer or dye any gray.
Start your beard at Lilacroix Barbers in Laurelton
Lilacroix Barbers is at 232-12 Merrick Blvd in Laurelton, Queens, and we shape beards for men from Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, St. Albans, Cambria Heights and Queens Village. A beard trim and sculpt keeps your lines clean while it grows.
We are open Monday to Thursday 7:30 AM to 7 PM, Friday and Saturday 7 AM to 7 PM, and Sunday 7 AM to 5 PM. Walk ins are welcome. Call (718) 749-5800 to check the wait, or use our contact page for directions.
Questions readers ask
How long does it take to grow a full beard?
Most men see a full short beard in two to four months. A long beard can take six months to a year.
Why is my beard patchy at one month?
Facial hair grows in uneven stages, and cheeks often fill in last. Wait two to three months before judging it.
Should I trim a beard while it grows?
Yes, lightly. Keep the neckline and cheek line clean, and trim split ends every four to six weeks.
Can I dye a short beard?
Yes. Beard dye can be applied at most lengths, and a barber can match the shade to your hair.