5 Reasons Why You Can’t Grow a Beard

From a trendy stubble to neatly a trimmed goatee to a lumberjack-worthy beard, the facial hair craze doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. But if your beard is more wispy than robust, you might be wondering: Why can’t I grow a beard?

“Just like there are differences in the shape and texture of the hair on men’s heads, the same is true of their beards,” says dermatologist John Anthony, MD.

So, what factors may contribute to a less-than-stellar scruff? Dr. Anthony explains some of the reasons you can’t grow a beard and what you can do to maximize your facial hair growth.

Reasons that you’re not growing a beard

You may be asking yourself: Why is my beard patchy? Why can’t I grow facial hair? Dr. Anthony shares why you might not be able to grow a beard.

Genetics

Your genes are one of the main factors in how thick or thin your facial hair is. So, if your male relatives (think your biological dad and grandpa) sport or sported full beards, you may be in luck.

“Men have hairs on their face that are programmed to respond to testosterone, and when they get that signal around puberty, they transition from fine hair to thicker hair,” Dr. Anthony explains. “But how thick that hair is depends on genetics.”

Genetics also affect where facial hair grows and when your beard reaches its full potential — meaning your age may play a role.

“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

Ethnicity can also play a role. Dr. Anthony notes that people from Mediterranean countries, for example, tend to grow thicker beards.

In fact, a study on the topic shows that Chinese men typically have less facial hair than Caucasian men.

Alopecia areata

If you describe your beard as “patchy,” it could be more than genes.

Alopecia areata is a condition where hair falls out in round patches. The hair loss can happen both on your scalp and your beard. It occurs when your immune system thinks your hair follicles are the enemy. Doctors aren’t sure exactly why it happens, but stress could be a factor.

While not dangerous, alopecia areata can worsen.

“It’s not predictable,” Dr. Anthony says. “It could spontaneously resolve, or it could spread if you don’t get treatment.”

There are lots of treatment options, but finding an effective one may take some trial and error. A dermatologist might recommend:

• Creams and medication you apply to the skin
• Steroid injections
• Irritant contact therapy, where doctors apply a medication that causes an allergic reaction to the scalp, with the goal of altering the immune response and prompting hair regrowth

Dr. Anthony adds that new, evolving therapies, including some oral medications, may soon be available for severe cases.

“If a change in your beard is new, unusual or asymmetrical, talk to your doctor,” he advises. “Start with your primary care doctor, but if there isn’t an obvious answer, see a dermatologist.”

Diet

You may be able to grow a beard but it may not be at its healthiest. Are you eating enough lean protein? Are you eating a well-balanced diet?

If not, you may be lacking the essential vitamins and minerals your hair needs to be at its best.

“Vitamin deficiencies and other metabolic stresses are known to affect the growth of hair on other parts of the body, so it’s reasonable to think that these could affect the beard area as well,” Dr. Anthony notes.

Stress

You know stress can wreak havoc on your body — and your hair is no exception.

When you’re stressed, it can contribute to hair loss. A small study involving 10 young men shows that even short-term sleep deprivation caused a decrease in the rate of beard growth.

Also, if you’re extremely stressed, you may experience telogen effluvium, a temporary type of hair loss.

“Telogen effluvium can also be the result of metabolic stress, vitamin deficiencies or a bout of severe illness,” explains Dr. Anthony. “Your healthcare provider or dermatologist may be able to help identify and correct these causes.”

Are low testosterone levels to blame?

What isn’t likely to be responsible for your thin beard is your testosterone levels.

“If you have sufficient testosterone to go through puberty and develop secondary hair in other places, then your testosterone levels are most likely to be normal,” Dr. Anthony clarifies. “Clinically low levels of testosterone may affect hair growth. In those cases, you may have little to no facial hair.”

Other symptoms of low testosterone, which should prompt a discussion with your healthcare provider, include:

• Reduced sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Loss of armpit and pubic hair
• Trouble concentrating
• Increased body fat

How to increase facial hair

While there’s little research on proven ways to increase the fullness of your beard, Dr. Anthony suggests a few things that might help:

• Be patient. Good things come to those who wait. Genetically, it takes some men’s beards longer than others to reach their full potential. “And it doesn’t happen overnight,” he reassures. “You may be close to 30 before your beard becomes what it’s going to be.”
• Watch what you eat. A healthy diet can help beard growth. But beware of fad diets: They may not give you the level of nutrition you need to grow beard hair normally. Turn to lean protein like beef, chicken, fish, beans and nuts to help keep your hair healthy.
• Avoid smoking. We know smoking isn’t good — and it can have a negative impact on your skin and hair. If you smoke, take steps to quit and improve your health.
• Just say no to hair regrowth products. If you’re wondering how to get more facial hair, you’ve probably thought about regrowth products. But Dr. Anthony cautions that even popular hair regrowth products aren’t U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved to grow beard hair. And they have potential risks. “You can get dermatitis in the area or hair growth and distribution that you don’t want,” he warns. “I don’t generally recommend them, but it’s reasonable to speak with your doctor about options.”

The hairy truth?

Have you seen signs that you can’t grow a beard? It can be embarrassing and frustrating not being able to grow the kind of beard or facial hair you’d like.

There may be reasons such as your genetics, age and ethnicity that play a role. And while there isn’t a proven method to boost hair growth, Dr. Anthony says certain lifestyle changes like focusing on your diet and reducing stress can help.

Don’t hesitate to talk to your healthcare provider who can help you pinpoint the cause and provide some guidance on what you can do to maximize your beard’s full potential.

“If you’re experiencing concerns about your beard, especially if there have been recent changes in density or other associated symptoms, it’s a good idea to have a conversation with your dermatologist or healthcare provider,” Dr. Anthony advises. “We’re here to address these concerns and to identify possible solutions to help.”