The Worst Beard Habit and How to Avoid It

There are many bad habits when it comes to growing and maintaining a healthy beard but there is one that I consider to be the worst and most damaging. That bad habit is the act of picking at your beard. I classify picking as when you take a single beard hair or group of hairs between your fingers and you pull on them. Not only does this weaken them but will lead to beard hairs being pulled out.

While you will lose beard hairs naturally over time you never want to be the cause of it. What makes the situation even worse is if you continue to pick at hairs in the same area which will lead to a bald spot. This is commonly seen on the neckline and cheekline of some beards. In this case, you'd have to shave a new line which will reduce your beard but erase your bald spot.

If however, you create a bald spot that's in the middle of your beard the only way to get rid of it is by shaving it off. That is the last place you want to put yourself in.

There are ways to avoid this kind of destructive activity. First and foremost, being aware that you pick at your beard is key and the first step in protecting your beard. Realizing when you pick your beard is also critical. I've found that there are 3 times you are most likely to pick at your beard:

1. Sitting at the computer whether at home or work.
2. While watching television.
3. While driving your car.

My tactic once I realize that I'm picking at my beard is to place my hand under my leg. If watching television I can place both hands under my legs or cross my arms and tuck my hands under my arms. It's that simple but you have to be aware that you are picking and pulling at your beard.

The last thing you want is for a bad habit to develop into a nervous habit. A nervous habit tends to me a bit more aggressive with a lack of awareness.

Stay aware, stop picking at your beard, and you'll do just fine :)

[ghiiirocker]

I'm stoned to shit and this is weirdly interesting to me. I don't even have a beard.

[DaGahbageMan]

1:12 to skip to the "meat and potatoes".

[scpatlnow]

worst beard habit...chewing on the mustache...sometimes I dont even know I'm doing it. Guess thats a "hands free" bad habit. My mustache grows in very fast and very thick. If I dont trim it even with my lip line I find it can really get in the way when eating and stuff.

[marklandreth]

This is so spot on - a very real struggle for us folks with facial hair. Nice hat as well.

[BrangeBurger]

Dude, this is such a spot on video. I have this terrible habit.

[xCrusaderx]

I find that the absolute best thing for me to stop myself from pulling out beard hairs is to oil my beard and wax my moustache. If my beard is oily, I don't want to get any of the oil on my hands to keep them clean.

[ValorFall]

I actually have the nervous disorder where you pick and pull out your hairs. It's called trichotillomania. Growing my beard out had always been a very very difficult thing for me to do, my brothers literally call me patches. It got so bad that I would leave for work with a good beginning stubble and come home with 3/4th of my beard missing. Worst part is like you said didn't even realize wad doing it. My girl friend tried to help by smacking my hand away or telling me to stop picking when she noticed it.

I didn't think was going to ever really be able to grow a full beard, that is till I started watching your videos. I found that taking care of my beard distracted me from picking at it. The wax and oil and scent made me always aware of my beard so I noticed when touched it.

I just wanted to say thanks, and my beard also thanks you.

[chrisdepriest]

found this video while searching for different types of beard styles, bc of a hole I have picked out of mine! thanks for the tips!

[KaranD]

Putting the hand under your leg might have seemed like an idiotic tip but after doing just that, i've had to resist the urge to pull my facial hair... thanks bud!

[theMosen]

I'm such a beard picker! And it's all the worse considering I don't even have much of a beard. One computer session can ruin it, and often has. Thanks for the tips!

[jimmahoney]

just lost a beard to thinness and patchyness had been growing for 3 years and it was big but it was in such bad shape had to let it go looking forward to growin a new one with all the stuff ive learned over the last 3 years

[UnitedWeBrap]

MORE You are the best beardsman ever!! Love your vids. Keep em comin'.

[BenVincelette]

Johnny you rock! Thanks for all the great tips kid!!!

[honeyfungi]

I'm a girl so this video isn't aimed at me, but I just love magnificent beards. Congratulations, Sir.

Also, your hands are beautiful. =)

[scotttbarnes]

Thanks for starting this channel!!!! All the tips and advise are the best out there!!! 

[TheTariq]

I've been struggling with this for 6 years REALLY badly and I've finally started to make progress this year. I am the most susceptible to this when I'm studying and driving, just like you mentioned. Always finding something to keep my hands busy and putting beard oil in my beard has helped me to avoid touching it.

[SteveMcCleary]

Just had to trim down and shave part of the best beard I've had yet. So frustrating. I made it a month with no pulling but when it got to a certain length I didn't even notice half the time that I was pulling at it again.

One tip I can share that has helped in the past, and that I'll have to start doing again for about another month is to keep the beard trimmed down with a #1 clipper. Allow the hair to grow back everywhere and begin to shape it. For me, when the length is constantly at a #1, there's no urge to pull at it. It's when it gets longer that it becomes a problem.

They say to form any habit it takes at least 21 consecutive days. Here's to day 1 of no pulling.

Here's to a better beard in two months.

Thanks for the video!

[JaysusLive]

new subscriber, new to the beard community, love the channel sir

[gamegrenade]

please do a video about beard oils and best products to use in the beard! respect from the UK

[benandshan]

I have struggled with this since I was in the 8th grade! (my first full beard). Every beard I've ever grown has ended up being picked to pieces and I've had to shave. My current beard is going on only three months and in the last couple days I've begun to pick at it incessantly. It seems the more I focus on not doing it the worse it gets. I've already had to raise my neckline once and think that tonight I will have to bring it up a bit more. This is the first I've ever heard of anyone else struggling with this issue! Usually when I mention it to people they think I need medication or counseling. I'm glad I found this vid and I will double my efforts to keep my hands off my beard. Thank You for posting!