Should You Shave Your Beard? 7 Reasons You Might (and Might Not)

In life, few things pump you up like a fresh start. A clean slate. A clean shave. In fact, owners of even the most prodigious Norse manes will sometimes wonder: Should I shave my beard? 

There’s a longstanding belief that shaving your beard helps it grow back fuller and stronger (which is especially appealing for guys who yearn for full whiskers but wrestle with stubborn patchiness). But the question still remains, should you shave your beard off every so often? Does it actually work like pruning trees? 

There’s something to the idea, but it’s not as clear-cut as you might think.

 

Does shaving make your beard grow thicker? (Debunking the myth.)

Almost every guy has heard this one, probably when wispy stubble first appeared during 8th grade: “If you want a full beard, keep shaving and it’ll grow back stronger.” That’s what the elders declared. 

And if some of them boasted bodacious beards themselves, trusting them was a no brainer. But does this axiom really hold up? 

The short answer? No.

Shaving hair doesn’t alter its inherent volume, color, or pace of growth. When you shave, body hair gets chopped to a flat tip. As these blunt points re-emerge, they may temporarily feel thicker or take on a darker appearance, but this change is fleeting.

In reality, you can’t do much to change your normal growth patterns. In fact, if you do start noticing body hair growth launching into overdrive, that can actually signal a medical issue—something you should touch base with a doctor about.

However, this doesn’t mean there’s no merit to the “Should I shave my beard to make it grow?” debate. 

Why you might shave your beard.

Shaving isn’t a fast track to thicker, enhanced growth. But should you shave your beard off every so often anyway?

Here are a few bona fide reasons why trimming the old whiskers might usher in a brighter era for you, your facial hair, and your overall look.

 

#1 Clean slate for style change

It’s tough to transform a patch of undergrowth into a pristine garden without clearing space first. The same goes for beards. 

If you sport a prodigious full beard, but have recently developed a hankering for a more polished look (perhaps a goatee or “Van Dyke”), it’s easier to start with a blank canvas. Rather than hack and slice what’s already there, start fresh, let it grow, and shape as you go. 

Starting with a blank canvas also helps set the stage for your new look psychologically. It offers a clean break from “the old you,” ushering in a new era. 

While it can be tough to bid adieu to a well-loved style, many guys find that a clean shave is the ideal launchpad for their fresh new look.

 

#2 Superior skin health

Well-kempt beards shouldn’t trouble your skin. But for some guys, overgrowth can trigger itching and, occasionally, beard rash. Not fun.

After all, your beard should instill confidence, not make you feel like you have steel wool glued to your face. 

When dealing with troublesome skin issues, a clean shave can give your face a breather, allowing inflamed areas to air out and cool down. 

A fresh start also grants you the opportunity to implement a thorough new beard care routine, beginning with hydration and beard oil—key ingredients for itch-free growth. 

 

#3 Professional look

Style norms change. Nothing’s set in stone. But some business environments may still frown upon beards and consider a clean shave more “professional.” 

If your professional clientele idolizes a beardless aesthetic, you may improve your prospects by shearing the mane. 

However, it’s important to remember that shaved looks get labeled as professional in the first place because they evoke:

• Neatness

• Polish

• Good hygiene

This perception emerged because unkempt beards came across as scruffy or intimidating. Well-groomed facial hair, on the other hand, can instill confidence by exuding masculine edge and razor-sharp style. 

In other words, you might try a more dialed-in beard style and gauge reactions before you fully commit to the clean-shaven life.

 

#4 Even growth after a patchy phase

Ah…the dreaded patchy stage. Guys taking their first shot at beard life often struggle with bare spots and mysterious gaps in coverage.

While we’ve already established that shaving won’t force hair to return thicker, it can help smooth out splotchy growth.

To maximize the effect, you’ll want to pay special attention to your trimming technique, hitting areas with copious growth a bit harder and going light on sensitive patchy spots. Over time, this can help fill out the blank spaces.

 

#5 Seasonal comfort

As awesome as a killer beard can look, it’s no secret that summer’s dog days can do a number on your comfort. A thick, full beard basically acts like a fur coat for your face. Itchy skin, trapped sweat, that grimy feeling—these can all follow. 

As a result, lots of guys opt for a “seasonal rotation,” sporting a beard in winter (when it provides a bit of extra insulation) and a clean-shaven (or heavily trimmed) look during summer. 

While diligent grooming can help cool summer’s sizzle, going beardless can absolutely be the move for sultry seasons, especially if you live in an area with a particularly hot climate.

It’s your call, and a totally valid one either way.

 

Why you might not shave.

So, there are plenty of sound reasons why you might shave your beard. But there are also some equally solid grounds for keeping yours.

 

#1 Beard as personal style

For some guys, their beard is an integral part of their look. Just Google videos of dads shaving their beards for the first time and filming the shocked (and sometimes horrified) expressions on their toddlers’ faces.

If you feel more bonded with your beard than with your clean-shaven self, then stay true. Keep the beard, and learn how to keep it spick and span.

 

#2 Skin irritation concerns

While beards can sometimes trouble the skin, shaving presents its own brand of irritation, especially for men with inherently sensitive skin: razor burn. This pesky problem can manifest as:

• Painful red bumps

• Itchy patches

• Tender spots

• Swelling

• Burning sensation

You can alleviate razor burn symptoms by:

• Using plenty of shaving gel

• Rotating razors often (they grow dull otherwise)

• Shaving with the direction of hair growth

• Taking it slow and steady

Even so, some guys still get hit with unsightly and uncomfortable razor burn symptoms. If that sounds like you, consider pledging loyalty to the beard and mastering its maintenance.

 

How to shave your beard properly after a long time.

If you’ve answered “yes” to the question, “Should I shave my facial hair?” your next question may be of the “shaving beard after long-time growth” variety. 

Like any herculean feat, shaving a full beard works best with a step-by-step approach:

1. Trim Your Beard – Use a set of clippers to trim your beard, reducing its total volume to a practical, more manageable length. 

2. Prep the Area – You’ll want to soften the skin beneath your beard before you start to shave. Wash your face with warm water and lather it with a soothing pre-shave gel. This helps soften bristly hair and awaken the pores beneath.

3. Exfoliate – When aiming for a fresh start, you want to achieve a clean, close shave. After months (or years) of coverage, you’ll probably have plenty of dead skin cell buildup. Hit the area with a gentle exfoliant to scrub away buildup and set a proper stage for your clean shave.

4. Shave With the Grain – Use a fresh, high-quality razor to gently shave in the direction of your natural hair growth.

5. Gear Up for Round Two – One pass probably won’t cut it, especially after months of heavy growth. After your first pass, rinse your face and lather up again. This time, carefully shave against your natural grain. This helps erase stubborn stragglers.

6. Rinse and Pat Dry – Give your face one final, thorough rinse. Gently pat dry with a clean towel, and behold your fresh visage in the mirror. 

7. Add Aftershave – A shave after long-term growth can be a shock to the system. To soothe any burning and irritation, dab your chin and cheeks with some cooling aftershave. Savor the sensation.

Whether you plan to tackle life clean-shaven or prep for a fresh beard style, following these steps will guarantee a comfortable and effective shave.

 

MANSCAPED® Beard Care & Face Grooming: Your best option for either choice.

To shave or not to shave? Whatever your answer, your approach is only as good as your tools. Whether you’re going for a full shave or a meticulously maintained Viking aesthetic, both require dialed-in instruments.

Enter MANSCAPED® men’s beard products. Featuring the high-octane Beard Hedger for full trims, slick Beard Balm for on-point styling, and hydrating Beard Shampoo for daily moisturizing, it’s the only grooming set you’ll ever need. Want to plug and play? Check out our Beard Hedger Pro Kit to instantly level up your beard game. 

Clean-cut or dashingly rugged, it’s up to you. 

Sources: 

Mayo Clinic. Does shaving unwanted body hair make it grow back thicker and darker?

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/hair-removal/faq-20058427 

Cleveland Clinic. Razor Burn.  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23583-razor-burn 

American Academy of Dermatology Association. A dermatologist's top tips for a healthy beard. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/healthy-beard