Movember is around the corner, and we all know what that means. Around the world, hundreds of thousands of men band together to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues by growing a moustache with their mates. ‘Growing a Mo’, as it’s officially called by the charity, is a symbol of supporting and striving for better men’s health.
If you’re planning on growing a moustache this November, but growing facial hair isn’t your strong suit, then you might be looking for ways to get a fuller ‘stache. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts to a full, bushy beard in just 30 days. But, if you’re looking for ways to get thicker facial hair generally, there are a couple of tactics that could help.
Why some moustaches grow patchy
The thickness of your facial hair mostly comes down to your genetics. Specifically, your genes decide how sensitive the hair follicles on your face are to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is the hormone that makes thick, ‘terminal’ hair grow. Two men with the same hormone levels might have completely different facial hair, because their follicles respond differently.
The thickness of your beard also comes down to how many variants of “thick” hair genes you inherit. The more you inherit, the thicker your facial hair is likely to be. So, if your dad had a thick beard, chances are you will too, and the same goes if he struggled to grow a full beard. Plus, patchy growth is normal for teens and men in their early twenties, with lots finding that their beards fill in as they get older.
It’s not all down to genetics, though. There are some methods and products you can use to fill in a patchy or thin beard.
Minoxidil
Licensed for treating male pattern baldness, minoxidil can also be prescribed off-label for promoting faster, thicker hair growth on the face.
Minoxidil is thought to improve hair growth by widening blood vessels, nourishing hair follicles with blood full of oxygen and nutrients. It’s also thought to positively influence the growth cycle, keeping follicles in the growth (anagen) phase for longer, leading to thicker, longer hairs.
Clinical research on using minoxidil for facial hair growth is a little thin (pardon the pun), but what we have shows promise.
A small trial found that 3% minoxidil lotion applied to the chin and jawline grew more beard hair than a placebo over 16 weeks. Another study looked at two identical twins, one of whom used a 5% topical minoxidil on his beard for over a year while his twin didn’t use any treatment. After 16 months, the twin using minoxidil had a greater hair count and density in the beard and moustache area compared to his twin, meaning his beard was looking thicker and fuller.
The studies so far are small and short, with no follow-up, so we don’t know if the results from using minoxidil are permanent or only last if the minoxidil is used consistently.
Minoxidil generally takes at least three to four months to kick in and make a noticeable difference, so you won’t notice much if you start using it during Movember. It’s more a long-term investment than a quick fix for superspeed growth.
Derma rolling/microneedling
Derma rolling is a tactic used to enhance hair growth on the scalp which some also use on their beards, but evidence on its benefits for beard growth is mostly anecdotal rather than based on verified scientific research.
Derma rolling is a type of microneedling, which involves using tiny needles to prick the outer skin layer. This is thought to activate the body’s natural healing response, which researchers think triggers a few things that could be beneficial to hair follicles, like more blood flow to the treated area, activation of growth factors linked to hair growth, and potentially improved absorption of topical treatments you might apply afterwards.
It’s better researched for use on scalp hair, rather than beard. There is some evidence that shows combining a derma roller with a topical hair loss treatment can boost results, but almost no research on its use for the beard.
If you want to give it a shot, we recommend:
- Sticking to a derma roller with short needles
- Not doing it too often (once a week is probably enough) to avoid causing inflammation or irritation
- Sterilising the tool before and after every use to avoid the risk of infection
Beard oils/serums
Beard oils are the most common product people use on their beards (and a go-to Christmas present people with beards are probably sick of receiving). They usually contain a blend of oils like argan, jojoba or coconut. They’re good for softening hair and soothing the skin beneath, especially in the early stages when new growth piercing the skin can get itchy, but there’s little scientific evidence that they make facial hair grow faster or thicker. Treat them as grooming products, not growth treatments.
Turn your Mo into action
Getting involved by growing a Mo (or shaving it off and starting from scratch) is great – just wearing it is a sign of solidarity that you care about better men’s health. You can also get involved with Movember directly, as they offer funding to organise fundraising events at work or any social group like a sports team, sponsored ‘Move for mental health’ runs and so on. You can learn more about what they stand for and how you can support them on their website. Or, you can do something as simple as using your moustache as a way to start important conversations about men’s health.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
