Why Some Men Can't Grow Beards

We asked a dermatologist to explain the scientific reasons that some men aren't able to grow thick, dense facial hair. Dr. Jennifer Chwalek is a Board Certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York. Chwalek explained that an inability to grow thick facial hair is not directly related to low levels of testosterone. Facial hair growth is largely determined by genetics, which can determine the number of hair follicles a person has, as well as how the follicles react to a byproduct of testosterone known as dihydrotestosterone.

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#Beard #FacialHair #ScienceInsider

Following is a transcript of the video:

Narrator: Look at that beard. The density. The thickness. It's what a beard is supposed to be! Not this. This is my beard, if you even want to call it a beard. This footage was taken after I let it grow for two weeks. Two weeks! It's thin, patchy, and in some spots there's no hair at all. Sad. But let's look at this one again. This is Kevin. We're around the same age, both Caucasian males of Irish descent. You could say we have a lot in common, except in the facial hair department. So, I asked a dermatologist about why he's able to grow a beard and I'm not.

Dr. Jennifer Chwalek: It's based on genetics as well as hormones. Some men, you know, have more hair follicles, so they can grow denser, coarser beards than others. Testosterone gets converted in the hair follicle to a more potent form called dihydrotestosterone. Some hair follicles have receptors on them that are very sensitive to this higher form of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and that will stimulate hair growth.

Graham Flanagan: How would you characterize my facial hair?

Dr. Chwalek: I'd say it's like, sparse, and you have light-colored hair, so it doesn't show up quite as much.

Flanagan: I can't really grow a great beard. It's been a problem. I want one. I wanna look like my colleague, Kevin. I mean, look at that beard. It is just glorious. Why can't I grow a beard like Kevin?

Dr. Chwalek: Well, Kevin has some good hair genes, so because of that, the hair follicles on his face are more sensitive to the effects of a form of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone which can help to stimulate thicker, coarser, longer hair growth in some areas of the body like the beard area.

Narrator: Beards and facial hair have long been associated with masculinity and virility. I began to wonder if my inability to grow thick facial hair like Kevin makes me less of a man.

Flanagan: Does the fact that I can't grow a beard, does it make mean that I have low testosterone?

Dr. Chwalek: No. Men who can't grow a beard or have patchy beards usually have normal testosterone levels. It isn't a reflection of having low testosterone or being deficient in testosterone.

Flanagan: So, you can still be virile —

Dr. Chwalek: Right.

Flanagan: And grow a crappy beard like this?

Dr. Chwalek: Yes.

Flanagan: Okay, good.

Narrator: And in fact, there are some ways to increase the chances of growing facial hair, but shaving more often isn't one of them.

Dr. Chwalek: So, the idea that shaving can impact hair growth is actually a myth. When you're shaving, you're just cutting the hair off at the surface of the skin, and what's controlling the hair growth is really occurring deeper in the skin. So, it shouldn't have any impact on how quickly the hair grows, or how dense the hair grows. People have tried topical Rogaine or Minoxidil. These things may stimulate a little hair growth, but assuming it's due to genetics, then you're kind of stuck with what you have.

Flanagan: It's all about the sensitivity of the hair follicles and how they interact with this —

Dr. Chwalek: Dihydrotestosterone or androgens in the blood.

Flanagan: So, you're saying that, that his hair follicles are "sensitive."

Dr. Chwalek: Yes.

Flanagan: See, mine aren't.

Dr. Chwalek: Right.

Flanagan: They aren't sensitive. They're like rocks. They have no sensitivity at all. Okay, so I win that!

Dr. Chwalek: Right.

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Why Some Men Can't Grow Beards

[mz]

All the testosterone went to making his deep ass voice.

[jtmnavy]

My mom can grow a beard but I can’t ....

[imsamiurrahman]

Doctor: Well, Kevin has some good hair genes

Kevin: 😎

[joncarbone]

My dad has a thick beard and a whole head of wavy hair. Meanwhile I got sparse facial hair and I'm starting to bald like my uncle's on mom's side of the family. Another downside is they're all over 6 ft. And I'm 5 8. Yup, totally got robbed in the genetic department.

[RapRefPodcast]

It's always "How's Kevin's beard?" But not "How's Kevin?" 😭😭

[colunizator]

I like Kevin. He doesn't speak much

[codedxxx]

This was the equivalent of lifting weights for two weeks and wondering why I don’t look like Ronnie Coleman.

[umairmasoud]

I used to get bullied in middle school and highschool because I could grow a beard, imagine a 13 year old with a full beard. Once I got to college and adulthood I realized everyone loved it and it helped me like my beard more and keeping it instead of shaving it.

[The]

1:20
"well kevin has some good hair genes"
kevin: *smirks and nods in approval*

[ozielmaldonado]

I only got this recommended because I can't grow a beard 😐

[GuaroLlanero]

I've been using minoxidil for 1.5 years now and there has been noticeable improvement. It is not like Kevin's beard but I'm satisfied

[jayboxerr]

his beard doesn’t even look that bad he’s just gotta give it time to grow

[marshallgrimmett]

Guy: why can’t I grow a beard?
Lady: **explains in detail**
Guy: so why can’t I grow a beard?

[jve]

Kevin is like a cat. Proud, majestic and quietly observing.

[JasonPerryman]

I thank her for being an expert on this and experienced to the extent that she has come across cases of people who use Rogaine (Minoxidil ingredient) and still haven't grown enough hairs to make a difference. I've tried it for 2-3 years and it didn't work. She sets that record straight.

[TrHard]

i was 23 and could absolutely not grow a beard. Just 3 years later i have a full beard without rogaine. A coworker even accuses me of using rogaine and asked me how he can get facial hair. but i just had a spike in facial hair growth for some reason. On the flip side i also had some hair recession in that time so be careful what you wish for.

[hi-nwqy]

I've always wanted to confuse people like this.

[jeremyruch]

When I was 19 I thought my inability to grow a beard was going to be an issue for the rest of my life.






Now I'm 24 and nothing has changed.

[insomniac]

My dad's 42 he's always been proud of his goatee, he can't grow hair on his cheeks so he did the best with what he got. It got 5 inches long. Around 3 years ago I began growing my beard and my beard covers my entire lower part of my face and is a bright vibrant red/orange. (I'm 17 now, yes my beard started growing when I was 14) He got jealous and complained to his co-workers that his own son has a bigger beard than he could ever get. His beard is also losing it's vibrant red and turning grey so he's a little sad about that.

[AeroRain]

I thought it was over for me as my dad has almost no facial hair and 90% of guys my age have had some already. But it finally started growing and to my surprise it's like mixed dark/light brown colored hair, including red. I've no clue how this happened as I was told no one in my extended family was like that, but honestly love how vibrant it looks so far. Well worth the wait lol