Are Beards Becoming More Common in Business Settings?

Your appearance means a lot in the business world. You’ll have an easier time dealing with partners and customers when you look and sound professional. How does facial hair fit into the equation? Are beards unprofessional in the modern landscape? Clean-shaven faces were once the norm, but facial hair has become more accepted in the office. Here’s what you need to know about modern customs.

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Do Beards Have a Place in Business

The 20th century mainly saw clean-shaven men in media and offices because cleanliness represented professionalism. However, society has gravitated toward facial hair — especially men with professional beard styles. Some professions may discourage it, but you have more freedom to wear your beard in the workplace. In fact, there’s a good chance your boss also has one.

YouGov has tracked facial hair trends for over a decade and has seen a shift in perception. Its 2023 survey asked British men if they have facial hair and how they wear it, and the change since last decade has been drastic.

Over 60% of men in 2011 had no facial hair, but that number has dropped to 46% in the last 12 years. The proportion of men of any age with a beard and mustache has skyrocketed from around 10% to over 30%.

This trend is even more pronounced for men between 18 and 39, with over 40% of this age group sporting beards and mustaches. The beard-growing trend has also affected women, with a 13% increase in those who prefer men with beards. In 2011, 66% of British women liked a man without a beard, but that number has dropped to 36% in 2023. The survey finds that 44% of women don’t prefer either style.

Beards in the Workplace

People have become more accepting of beards and have even encouraged them in daily life. How does it translate to the workplace? A recent survey from Hims polled 500 men who have jobs.

The survey finds that 63% of respondents kept their facial hair when interviewing for their current role. About 40% sported a beard, 30% had a goatee and 20% wore a mustache. The survey also notes about 72% of respondents did not review their company’s beard policy before starting the interview. About 90% of men say their policy allows beards at work, with most saying there’s an expectation to keep their facial hair neat.

What Obstacles Do Beards Face in the Workplace?

While facial hair has become more acceptable in the workplace, some of your co-workers may still say beards are unprofessional. These obstacles demonstrate what you may have to go through with a beard.

Perception

Santa Claus is a famous jolly figure with a big beard, but even he has difficulty changing people’s perceptions. Although time has been kinder to beards, stereotypes still exist among the general population.

For instance, a 2021 Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology study examines how people see masculinity and aggressiveness in men’s beards. The results show the respondents had the best accuracy when associating bearded faces with anger and aggressiveness. Conversely, the participants had an easier time associating happy expressions with those sporting no facial hair.

This research demonstrates stereotypes still exist for guys with beards. You generally can wear facial hair in a business setting, but you must be careful not to reinforce typecasts like anger and aggressiveness.

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Dress Codes

While times have changed to support beards, you may have to abide by your company’s dress code if it says you cannot wear one. Some businesses enforce this policy for professionalism, whereas others create the rules for health and safety protocols. For example, if you work in manufacturing or food services, your employer may require shaven faces to comply with regulations.

The military is another place you must comply with the beardless dress codes, but times could be changing. A 2022 report indicates the Air Force has considered allowing a quarter-inch-thick beard in a new policy. However, it’s unclear if or when the new rule will take effect.

Laws

You could argue beards are a freedom of expression, and the law should protect your facial hair. However, there isn’t much legal help on your side. Employers have the right to create dress codes and grooming standards as they see fit for their operations.

So, if the boss says you can’t have a beard, they’ll likely get away with the policy. However, the circumstances change if you wear a beard for religious reasons. Federal laws protect your beard from discrimination if it’s part of your religion.

How Can You Craft Professional Beard Styles?

The proportion of people saying beards are unprofessional has declined in recent years. However, sporting professional styles is integral to ensure your boss doesn’t say anything about your facial hair. Here are a few tips for looking acceptable in the office.

Trim Your Facial Hair

Beards can look stylish and socially acceptable until they reach a certain point — then they become scraggly and unkempt. Experts say trimmed facial hair is best for looking presentable in business casual settings. Trim it regularly to keep your beard looking its best.

If necessary, create a grooming schedule to ensure your facial hair doesn’t get out of control at any point of the week. You can save time by trimming the night before work, but the morning may be better if your beard grows fast.

Comb Your Beard

Beard length won’t be as much of an issue if you groom it wisely. For instance, use a comb to style and shape your facial hair in particular directions. This tool is also helpful in distributing beard oil and beard balm, ensuring your facial hair has adequate moisturization throughout the day. Keep a beard comb nearby to groom yourself at work and look your best for meetings.

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Pick a Fitting Style

Professional beard styles vary by the guy, with some lineups looking better than others. Find the one that fits your head shape and wardrobe, as it will make your facial hair look more acceptable in a business setting. For instance, a man with a square face looks stylish with a goatee, whereas a triangular head may look better with a full beard and mustache. 

Are Beards Unprofessional? Not Anymore

Beards have a complicated history in the business world. If you worked in a 1950s office, you wouldn’t see many beards because people deemed them unprofessional. However, times have changed to be more accepting of facial hair.

Beards are more common in business settings, but you must ensure yours is tidy and groomed. Some workplaces may forbid beards for health or safety reasons, so examine company policy before growing your facial hair.

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Does Your Diet Impact Your Facial Hair Growth?

A man’s diet is one of the most overlooked contributors to his beard health. While your beard’s shape and thickness largely come down to genetics, your eating habits can also have a significant impact on facial hair growth. In this guide, we’ll help you understand the connection between food and facial hair and review some key dietary adjustments to make.

facial hair growth

The Science of Facial Hair Growth

Although you may treat your facial hair differently, it has the same makeup as the rest of your hair. Every single hair follicle has the same growing process, which starts at the roots underneath your skin. These “hair bulbs” frequently grow new cells that form new strands of hair, but only some of them poke through the epidermis and are visible to the naked eye.

On average, a hair strand should grow 1 centimeter per month, assuming the person has an active lifestyle and adequate diet. This number can differ based on factors such as gender, age and individual genetics. Most men between 15 and 30 years old are naturally at the upper end of the hair growth spectrum, thanks to their higher testosterone levels.

You could use beard oil to help the growth phase, but growth stimulants work best if you combine them with healthy and beneficial lifestyle choices. You must replenish your hair follicles with organic nutrients as well as hair care products if you want your beard to reach its full potential. That’s where your diet comes into play.

Testosterone-Boosting Foods

For most men, testosterone levels peak in their late teens and early twenties. That means their beards may experience a decline in thickness as they reach full maturity. If you’re experiencing this, you could get a natural testosterone boost by changing your eating habits. The following foods are excellent sources of testosterone:

  • Spinach
  • Beans
  • Oysters
  • Coconut
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Fatty fish

Alternatively, you could take a testosterone booster supplement instead of changing your diet. These supplements directly raise your DHT levels and can lead to fast facial hair growth. However, there is a major risk involved if you’re prone to balding. A sudden spike of DHT can accelerate hair loss and make your beard look worse, not better.

In case you haven’t noticed the theme yet, it’s always best to take a natural approach over an artificial “quick fix” when it comes to your health. Improving your diet might have slower results, but it’s much better than taking hair growth supplements that could backfire in the future.

Daily Protein Intake

Protein is the key macronutrient that stimulates facial hair growth. Hair follicles primarily consist of keratin, the main protein structure that makes up skin, nails and internal organs. Getting frequent servings of beef, chicken, eggs and dairy products can help you maintain high keratin levels and healthy hair follicles.

High daily protein intake is also an important part of maintaining your peak testosterone levels as you get older. To prevent your skin from getting irritated and breaking out, apply a shaving cream or oil and use a straight razor when shaving.

Healthy Fats

Healthy fats are always unsaturated, which means they don’t create fatty acid deposits in your bloodstream. Instead, they remain liquid and flow through your bloodstream, providing much more nutritional value with none of the health risks.

Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly beneficial for facial hair growth because they strengthen your cell walls and keep your skin, nails and hair healthy. They can also work wonders for your cardiovascular system, which makes them more important as you get older.

Ideally, most of your healthy fats should come from seafood, which is an abundant source of omega-3 fatty acids and high in protein as well. Oysters, clams and crabs are great sources, and they may boost your testosterone in the process. Avocados, nuts and seeds are also viable options.

If allergies or dietary restrictions prevent you from eating seafood, you can also take a fish oil supplement. Fish oil has proven to help with hair growth by delaying the catagen phase and increasing the number of hairs in the anagen phase.

Vitamins and Minerals

Your diet must be rich in vitamins and minerals if you want healthy facial hair. Perhaps the most important nutrient worth mentioning is Vitamin D. Although the vitamin itself doesn’t lead to more hair growth, your body’s Vitamin D receptors help the skin produce more hair follicles and restore old hair growth.

Your facial hair will also benefit from a consistent supply of the following nutrients, vitamins and minerals:

  • Vitamin A: This vitamin helps the skin produce stay moisturized and combat acne. Leafy greens and tomatoes are two good sources.
  • Vitamin C: Plays a key role in the healing process of body tissue, including the skin and hair. Berries, oranges, lemons and potatoes are the main foods with this vitamin.
  • Biotin: As a core ingredient in keratin production, biotin is the main protein that makes up your follicles. Bananas are the prime sources, but some rare berries have biotin as well.
  • Zinc: Zinc is a useful nutrient that boosts immune system function. It’s plentiful in red meat, poultry and seafood.
  • Iron: Iron is the main producer of hemoglobin, which is responsible for supplying organs with oxygen. Whole grains and beans are great sources.

Eating all of the foods mentioned above isn’t mandatory, but you should get a sufficient amount of fruits, vegetables and whole grains every day. There are also supplements available for virtually every nutrient. They will help you unlock your beard’s full potential and contribute to a much healthier lifestyle overall.

Healthy Diet, Healthy Beard

Eating the right foods won’t guarantee that you grow a full, luscious beard. Your genetics still determine whether you can grow a complete beard or not.

However, you can get the absolute most out of your facial hair by eating testosterone-boosting foods, increasing your daily protein intake, mixing in some healthy fats and getting your daily serving of key vitamins and minerals. A healthy diet ensures a healthy beard.

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The Impact of Shaving on Building Confidence

Shaving is a skill every man possesses. It’s the key to liking what you see in the mirror, especially when sculpting an image you want to show the world. Learning how to maintain your facial hair is an excellent confidence booster, which will only ring truer as you grow older.

Why Some Men Lose Confidence

Most people develop self-assurance at a young age since love and acceptance come easy during childhood. It’s common to begin doubting yourself as life goes on, though. Society has a way of crushing our belief in ourselves. Getting an occasional reality check and eating humble pie is healthy to learn humility and keep our egos from over-inflating.

However, a truthful assessment of yourself shouldn’t lead to a crisis of confidence. It’s merely a setback necessary to appreciate your strengths and work on your flaws to be a better man. Eventually, you must rekindle self-love to face the world, holding your head high. Wet shaving — a grooming method involving water — is instrumental in regaining your faith in yourself.

The Psychology of Shaving

Shaving is a therapeutic process. This ritual aids mindfulness since it requires focus and attention to detail. It compels you to be in the present moment — a much-needed respite to forget your worries. This act of self-care calms the mind and gives you a sense of perspective about your life, guiding your hand to change your image and foster positive self-perception.

Trimming your facial hair also engages your senses. The sounds of washing your face, building the lather in a bowl and cutting the hair are stimulating. Lathering your mustache and beard and gliding a razor blade on your skin in rhythmic strokes are soothing tactile activities. The burning sensation of applying an antiseptic aftershave wakes you up from the trance. The reflection of an adequately groomed man in front of you is a sight to behold — a visual transformation symbolizing renewal.

Maintaining your facial hair also shows you care about your appearance. Whether you do it for yourself or others is irrelevant. What matters is you subliminally communicate to the world that you respect yourself enough to dedicate time to personal grooming. Therefore, they must respect you, too. Unkempt facial hair sends the opposite signal — an untidy look is a picture of nonchalance.

Shave regularly to exude confidence, attractiveness, and dominance in social settings, even if you secretly feel unsure or unappealing. Proper grooming can help you reframe the way you think of yourself, ultimately overcome impostor syndrome and psychologically train others to have a high opinion of you.

Shaving Is a Lost Art

Grooming oneself with a manual razor is a dying skill. Manscaping is what’s fashionable these days. Running an electric clipper, trimmer or shaver over hairy parts is convenient and gets the job done.

However, straight, shavette and safety razors persist for a reason. These traditional tools offer levels of control and closeness their electric counterparts can’t.

If you shave correctly, your manual razor blade will bevel on your skin and cut facial hair more acutely. This technique prevents stubble from appearing quickly and lets your newly groomed mustache and beard appear fresh longer.

What You Need When Shaving

Your shaving kit must include a manual razor, a facial cleanser, a shaving lather, a shaving brush and bowl, and an aftershave. Each item has variety, so explore your options and pick ones based on your preferences.

Cleansers can be scrubs or washes. Shaving soaps, creams, and gels produce lathers of varying consistency and texture. Regarding brushes, decide between going natural — boar or badger — and synthetic. Aftershave splashes have disinfecting properties and a perceptible fragrant smell, whereas balms hydrate dry skin and have no overpowering scent.

Putting lather on your face by hand is optional. It’s messy and can result in uneven application, but it’s faster. Speed is a nonfactor when practicing the art of shaving, so consider using a brush and bowl to enjoy the entire experience.

How to Shave Your Face Correctly

Shaving can be time-consuming, but there’s a method to the madness. Follow these eight steps.

1.   Soak Your Brush in a Bowl of Hot Water

Your shaving brush must be slightly wet to whip up a thick lather. Place it in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes to soften its bristles as part of the prep.

2.   Rinse Your Face With Warm Water

Ready your skin while your brush is submerged. Wash with warm water and your preferred cleanser to open up your pores and rid your face of dead skin, oil, and dirt.

3.   Slightly Dry the Brush

After your skincare ritual, remove your brush from the bowl. Unlike synthetic brushes, natural ones have high moisture retention. You want your brush damp but not dripping wet to ensure robust lather generation, so tap out excess water if necessary.

4.   Add the Shaving Product to the Bowl

Empty your bowl, put some shaving product in it and mix it with about a teaspoon of water. Whirl it with your brush in a circular motion for about 30 seconds until it resembles whipped cream. You’ll know you’ve achieved the ideal thickness when holding the brush upside down without the lather falling off quickly.

5.   Lather Your Face

Apply the lather to your face using your brush. Apply it against the direction your hair grows — the grain — to cover all hair. Do it in front of a mirror to avoid missing a spot.

6.   Shave With the Grain

Wet the razor with warm water to increase the cold metal’s temperature slightly for your comfort. A moist blade glides more smoothly, too. Lightly stroke the razor with the grain to avoid irritating your skin and causing painful rashes.

7.   Wash the Lather Off Your Face

Rinse your face with warm water to remove the lather and see how close your shave is. Repeat steps five and six until you’re satisfied with the results.

8.   Apply the Aftershave

Once you’re happy with your shave, wash your face with cold water to cause your blood vessels to contract and minimize bleeding from nicks. Use home remedies like ice, potassium alum or ground coffee to alleviate deep cuts.

Pat your wet face with a clean, dry towel and put on aftershave. The product — along with the cold water — will seal your pores and close the pathways bacteria may use to enter your body.

Build Your Self-Confidence One Shave at a Time

Mastering shaving is vital to boost your self-assurance. Increasing your confidence takes more than personal grooming but it’s an essential first step to feeling suave, and carrying yourself with pride and dignity.

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How to Shave and Style When Dealing With Hair Loss

Traditional razors

There are a few signature moments in a guy’s life. Your graduation, first car and wedding are some positive events, but not-so-great ones like seeing your hair fall out are bound to happen. My older family members and friends are going through this now, so I know it’s only a matter of time before I do, too. When that time comes, I’ll be ready with these tips for shaving and styling when dealing with hair loss.

Shaving seems straightforward, but it gets more complicated when dealing with hair loss. Here are four tips for getting your shave right and looking your best.

Pick a Reliable Razor

The first step in shaving is to pick a reliable razor. Ideally, you’ll choose a manual razor with a sharp blade because you can get a closer shave. Traditional razors are less expensive and give you more control, which is why I prefer them. Also, you don’t have to worry about batteries or the power going out when it’s time to shave.

Be Conscious of Your Skin

Life would be easier if everyone had perfect skin, like in the shows and movies. However, that’s not the case for most. Be conscious of your skin, especially if it tends to be sensitive or dry. Find shaving creams specifically designed for sensitive skin because you’ll have a better time with them. For example, hypoallergenic shaving cream is likely to be easy on sensitive skin.

Another way to help your skin is to exfoliate ahead of shaving. The process is easier if you shower beforehand because hot water opens your facial pores and loosens your hair. Plus, it removes dirt and bacteria on your face for a quicker shave.

Shave Smart

Shaving is a natural task for most guys, but getting it right can be more complex than it sounds. For example, beard trimmers are useful when shaving because they thin out your hair before the blade hits the skin. If your hair is thinning, you might not need it in some areas. However, it’ll benefit you in the thicker sections of your hair.

Another pro-tip for shaving is to shave with the grain. Going against the grain is acceptable with steak and other meats, but it’s not conducive to your skin. Going with the grain is best for men with sensitive skin to reduce irritation. Thinning hair can be tricky to navigate on your head, so staying with the grain is best practice here as well.

Safeguard Your Scalp

Balding men tend to lose hair around their scalp, so this part of your head becomes more sensitive and vulnerable. Safeguarding it is essential for comfort and practicality. Now more than ever, you need to use shaving cream or another lubricant to prevent skin irritation.

During shaves or showering, use products better geared toward balding men. These typically lack fragrances and are more gentle on your scalp.

How to Style When Dealing With Hair Loss

If you’ve noticed your hair has begun to thin or fade away altogether, know that it’s nothing to be ashamed of. There are over 200 different genes connected to male hair loss that we know of. Balding men can have styles just as good as anyone else. Use these four tactics for styling and care when experiencing hair loss.

Pick a Complementary Hairstyle

Hair loss doesn’t mean you have to shave it all off. You can still rock a nice head of hair with a hairstyle complementary to the amount on your head. These hairdos are terrific for balding men:

  • Buzz cut: If you want to shave it off, you’re welcome to. Pick your desired blade and get to your preferred level of thinness on the scalp. The cool breeze on your head feels incredible in the summer.
  • Modern army cut: Try the modern army cut — also known as the military fade — if you’re not ready to part from your hair yet. This hairstyle fits men with receding sides because it removes most of the hair without eliminating the top.
  • Ivy League cut: Thankfully, you don’t need a Harvard or Yale degree for the Ivy League cut. This style is apt for balding hair because of its short sides and back. The top of your hair is flexible, letting you style it however you see fit.

Wear a Hat

It’s OK to be picky about your hair. If you don’t like your haircut or how your hair looks during the day, consider wearing a hat. They’re a statement of style, letting you rep your favorite sports team or vacation spot. They can even be the finishing touches on your super outfit. For example, a black top hat looks great with a tuxedo.

While hats are typically for style, you can benefit from them. Hats are helpful in cold and rainy weather by keeping your body warm. Plus, the rain doesn’t help your thinning hair if you put time and effort into styling it.

Rock Some Jewelry

Jewelry is another way to distract from thinning and receding hairlines. Rocking gold chains takes the attention away from your head and brings people’s eyes to your chest.

Chains are a popular option for jewelry, but there are plenty of others on the table. Any man can find a bracelet, earring or ring to enhance their style. Donning a Rolex will distract anybody.

Grow Your Beard

Growing a beard is one of the best solutions to hair loss. Losing hair on one part of your head isn’t as bad when you can grow it on the opposite end. Bald men look great with beards because they demonstrate strength and wisdom, and bring character to your face. Plus, they project confidence and completely transform your appearance.

If you want your beard to distract from your hair, consider a unique style that draws the eyes down. For example, Viking beards are popular for guys who like the big, bushy look. You may think of Viking facial hair as unkempt, but historians say they kept well-groomed beards, whether short or long. Don’t rule out handlebar mustaches, unicorn beards and other unconventional styles to keep your beard perfectly weird.

Shaving Smart and Staying Stylish

Seeing bald spots or thinning hair can be challenging for men. While it’s not everyone’s preferred way of aging, there are ways to work around it. Use these tips for shaving and styling when dealing with hair loss.

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