A 6 minute read. Approx. 1400 words.
By Ben Whitaker
19 April 2015
It was never on the radar that I would even attempt growing a beard; that was until my partner and I had twins!
I didn’t mean to grow a beard; I just stopped shaving and the beard was a side effect. After the birth of our twins, I tried shaving once but it’s not the sort of job that can be left half-done. There is a saying ‘No time to fart’ for when you have been busy and stressed. For me it was ‘No time to shave’. For the first 3 months, it was near impossible to get a job finished in one session, which is not a good look when it comes to shaving.
The sleep deprivation and distraction helped me get through the itchy phase, which was most intense at 1 month (and where most people would get the razor back out). Being house bound for 3 months or so gave me the space to allow my beard to take form without being too self conscious.
I just stopped shaving and the beard was a side effect.
I had never grown a beard before in my life - experimented with goatees and a moustache for Movember, but never a fully-fledged beard. I was a bit daunted at the prospect when I decided to put the razor down. During my teenage years I had some hormonal issues from taking medication (for a liver disease) that altered the way hair grew on my body. For whatever reason, hair grew thick on my legs but my facial hair was patchy and thin. It is only now that there is enough coverage, hence my beard has been 35 years in the making.
Beards are popular at the moment especially with the hipster fraternity but it’s only coincidental that I’ve grown one now. I’m not the sort of person who follows the latest fashion trends of the youth (well not much anyway). Case-in-point, I sometimes wear Crocs!
Now having had a beard for sometime and getting out and about more, many people have commented on my beard, I’ve become comfortable with it and have begun noticing many benefits that I never realised before. Thus my beard has given me inspiration to write this article.
Before getting to the benefits, here are a few preceding thoughts on beards (scroll down further if you want to skip to the benefits).
Thoughts on Beards
Beards are natural. They obviously serve an evolutionary purpose. When a boy reaches puberty and becomes sexually active, this transition is accompanied by the start of growth of facial hair. Usually it starts as uneven lightly coloured tuffs but over the next few years (or in my case it took about 15 years from puberty) a distinct form and colour reveals a recognisable beard. I believe beards have more purpose than just to signal sexual maturity.
The tools and technology to shave are recent. Having a sharp implement that has the ability to shave facial hair would not have existed for most of human history. And what would have been the motivation to shave off the beard anyway?
...beards have more purpose than just to signal sexual maturity.
When you do shave off a beard, you tend to get comments about looking younger. The desire to look younger is prevalent in today’s society and typically associated with woman’s fashion, though men are susceptible to this culture too.
Why do mature males want to look like prepubescent boys? I’m the sort of person who likes women to: not wear any make-up, let their hair show off their natural colours including grey hairs, and not shave legs or arm pits. It seems a double-standard to not do the equivalent myself! You could even look at a beard as a statement against materialism.
There is an undeniable connection between beards and spirituality. One comment from a friend of mine who saw me and my beard for the first time said “Hello Swami Ben” with a cheeky smile. Since I am a yoga teacher, the association is not such a far stretch.
An interesting aside (and conversely) there is a stark absence of beards in politics; this might explain a few things!
4 serious benefits of beards
Here are the 4 serious benefits of beards you probably don’t realise; as I didn’t. These are insights based on my own experience of having a beard for the first time in my life.
Picture: Side profile and close up of beard. Notice the downward facing hairs of the moustache section and the coverage in front of the nostrils providing added air filtration, and the ‘veranda-effect’ protecting the bottom lip from the sun.
1. Sun Protection and The ‘Veranda-Effect'
Being a surfer and having a sun spot on my bottom lip, I didn’t realise that a beard might help manage this condition. I have noticed that the moustache section of my beard actually acts like a veranda on a house, blocking the sun from my bottom lip. Consequently the sun spot has reduced in severity. The rest of the beard provides protection for the jaw, chin and neck, which account for a large percentage of the face. This results in added protection, less sunscreen required and being more confident about getting a couple of extra surfs in a week.
Did you know you can get a medical certificate to have a beard?
Did you know you can get a medical certificate to have beard? A close relative of mine who served in Afghanistan with the Australian Army, got a medical certificate from a doctor so he could have a beard. It was to help manage skin cancer which had formed in his bottom lip. This type of injury is common in returning soldiers due to the extreme sun exposure required of their role, especially in Afghanistan which is mostly desert. It seems antiquated that beards are not allowed in the army given this risk.
2. Air Filter
It’s subtle but I have noticed an improvement in my sinus conditions. I have been prone to allergies, mucus build up and upper respiratory tract infections.
The nasal passage is filled with hairs to help catch any impurities and pathogens (a feature of the immune system) which enter when breathing. Facial hair, especially the moustache part of a beard, seems to be an extension of this function.
...added air-filtering effect of a beard would have a survival advantage...
The hairs of the moustache are directed downwards creating the perfect additional filter for the nasal passage. This might also apply to breathing through the mouth, but to a lesser extent.
I would imagine that the added air-filtering effect of a beard would have a survival advantage (or at least a health benefit) when living or working in dusty or polluted environments. I think it is no coincidence that beards have always been popular with people who live in deserts.
3. Insulation
Many hours after a surf or a shower I notice there is still some moisture in the depth of the beard. I would imagine in hotter climates this could play a role in keeping the body cooler. In winter, the extra air that is trapped in the beard would act as insulation, keeping the body warmer (once it is dried properly!).
...extra air that is trapped in the beard would act as insulation...
On a trip to India I shaved my head. With it being a particularly cold winter, I really noticed the difference and needed to wear head and neck coverings constantly to make up for the lost insulation provided by my hair. I’m sure the same would apply to a beard.
4. Eco friendly with minimal maintenance
Having a beard saves time, money and the environment. When you don’t shave anymore there’s no need for all the shaving paraphernalia: no need for shave cream (not that I use it anyway, soap is fine) and shaving device required. Think of all the disposable razors that end up in landfill or the ocean as a result of shaving. With a beard, all you need are scissors for the occasional trim - much more sustainable. I’m told all hair on the body has a genetically predetermined length including beards - I might not even need the scissors!
...a beard saves time, money and the environment.
I never thought growing a beard would provoke such profound realisations and improve my health. It is a rite of passage that is worth trying at least once in your life.
Do you have any insights to share about beards?
I would love to hear them. If you have any links to scientific articles on any of the related topics in this article please share them too.