Why Is My Beard Patchy and How Can I Fix It?

Have you previously tried to grow a beard only to shave it off in frustration after discovering that it grows in patchy? A beard can enhance your handsomeness and masculinity, but it is most effective when it comes in full. If the only thing holding you back from having a beard is the patchiness, you may be a good candidate for a beard transplant. In this blog, the premier team of hair experts in Chicago share some of the reasons beard patches develop — and what you can do about it.

Causes of Beard Patches

Genetics

Most often, patchiness is attributed to genetics, part of your DNA. For many men, how well they can grow an even beard is determined from birth and your family genetic makeup, which unfortunately means that the situation is out of your control. If men, on both sides of your family, can grow a good beard, your chances of being able to do the same are higher.

Young Age

Sometimes the reason young men cannot grow a beard is they simply tried too soon. While facial hair begins to sprout during puberty, it can take another decade for testosterone levels to peak. It is perfectly natural for a beard that you try to grow at 20 to not come in as fully as it will at 28. Wait until at least age 25 before deciding that your facial hair growth is a lost cause, because it can improve significantly by that point.  The prime for facial hair growth is usually between the ages of 25 to 35.

Low Testosterone Levels

Given that testosterone is critical for facial hair growth, men who experience hormone imbalance may have more difficulty having a beard. A hormone imbalance can occur due to aging ( a normal process sometimes referred to as “manopause”), medical conditions, and malnutrition.

Alopecia

Just as a bald spot can appear atop your head, it is possible for a small, round patch to develop on your facial hair. This is known as alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair to fall out near your jawline.  Sometimes the beard hair will grow back, other times it may not.

How Beard Transplants Can Help

The popularity of a beard transplant has surged in recent years. Many men who have always wanted to grow a denser beard without patches have discovered that a beard transplant is a great solution to their facial hair woes. By carefully transferring follicles from the back of your scalp to the patchy areas on your face, you can start to grow natural hair for a full, symmetrical beard pattern that will be the envy of your friends. Best of all, grafted follicles should last in their new location for the rest of your life.

To learn more about a beard transplant from Dr. Carlos Puig and many of the best hair restoration experts in the country, please contact the International Hair Institute at (312) 854-3898 or (312) 854-3899.