The average beard grows at a rate of half a millimeter per day and is comprised of an average of 25,000 individual hairs. While ethnicity, hormone levels and your overall health also play roles in the health and vigor of your beard, lack of proper grooming can cause skin irritation, damaged hair and an unkempt appearance.

If you want to grow a luxurious beard but have always shaved in frustration after a few days or you just can’t seem to tame your facial hair, here are some tips for getting the look you want.

See more about – 60 Manly Beards For Men – Striking Facial Hair Styles

Familiarize Yourself with Beard Styles

There is a huge array of facial hair styles you can consider that fall under the ‘beard’ terminology. Many men give up in their attempt to grow a beard because they are not grooming the hair at all and quickly amass a bushman beard worthy of Grizzly Adams.

Having an idea of what you’d like to accomplish with your facial hair will make getting the results you want much easier.

Consider Your Ethnicity

Men with European ancestry, especially around the Mediterranean, usually have thick facial hair that can become bushy and itchy. Men with Asian, Native/Aboriginal or Latino ancestry may be frustrated by sparse hair. If you want to grow out your beard, try to work with the framework your genes have given you.

If a full beard looks patchy or bushy, consider other styles such as a Van Dyke or a short-boxed beard. If you don’t grow a a mustache very well, a goatee or chin strap style may be better. For those lucky enough to have fairly straight, full beards, ZZ Top is the limit!

Beard Shampoo and Conditioner

Now that you have a particular style in mind, knowledge about proper beard shampooing and conditioning is critical. The first rule of growing a beard? Do not use the shampoo and conditioner you use on your scalp to wash your beard. The skin on your face is more sensitive, thin and prone to irritation than that of your scalp, and beard hair can be more fragile than scalp hair.