When does the itch/irritation finally cease? (Facial Hair)

[JoeMama]

After 50+ years, I have finally decided to COMMIT to growing out my facial hair (unshaped currently) and damn if it doesn't itch and irritate me when I scratch or rub it.

I have worn mustaches, goatees, and chops in the past, but for the most part I have remained clean shaven mostly because of my routine that I learned in the military.

I think the furthest I have gotten in times past was around 2 weeks or so, and then the irritation just got to be too irritating so off it came. Im *really* trying to tough it out and grow out my greyness (don't care if its grey or S/P/Cayenne) but damn if its not irritating AF.


Is this just the cost of admission to wearing a facial rug? Or does it eventually even out and become your normal? (And especially to your SO - who kisses you on a daily basis)

 

[lumpher]

Answers might help explain my problem too. I only grow mine and let it grow to irritate my wife. She hates full beards... I tend to chop it after 5 or 6 weeks, and it grows slow enough it would take 2-3 months to hit 1/2 inch. Been trying off and on for close on 35 years...

Edited, as I gave an answer based on my experience that doesn't seem typical.

 

[day_trippr]

I had a full thick beard at the beginning of this century, for a couple of years. My hair was still pretty coarse back then and for the first couple of months there were days I questioned my decision to grow it out. But once the hairs had grown to around a half inch and were no longer trying to burrow back into my skin (especially the neck) the itching was no longer a thing...

Cheers!

 

[Kickass]

For me, 2 weeks it’s noticeably less irritating. I’ve found that combining against the grain to pull ingrown hairs out is really helpful.

 

[Halfakneecap]

For some reason after a few years of only trimming my beard, it doesnt itch at all. I used to have to shave because of the itch but it just kind of topped after i trimmed it instead. Only shave every few months for the hell of it, and to annoy my wife, who likes the beard

 

[scrap iron]

Things tend to calm down after the beard is grown out a little. When it's short it is irritating and pokes you. You might try witch hazel.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/witch-hazel-benefits-uses#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3

 

[mac_1103]

Last time I shaved was some time in the late 1980s. My wife didn't notice for three days. But if I don't compliment her whenever she gets her split ends trimmed...

 

[dmtaylor]

I've grown, and many times shaved and regrown, a beard for 30 years. In my experience, it can be itchy the first couple weeks but then goes away. Patience is all that is needed.

Occasionally (maybe every 6 months) it might itch for a couple days but that also goes away on its own. Washing and scrubbing it fiercely seems to help a bit, probably some dander stuck in there or whatever which needs extra help.

 

[Broken Crow]

I've traditionally grown it in the fall, but ususally end up trimming and shaping it in some wierd way or other and then get fed up with maintaining it by mid-January and get rid of it. It varies every year, but like others have said; You get used to it..just keep it clean as that's probably the less-obvious part to a first-timer...it really does need more frequent soap and a lot of rinsing than your other hair.

 

[Bobby_M]

I think it comes across as an itch because you feel something pulling on your skin. When you're clean shaven, that feeling would signal something very strange happening. It takes some time for your brain to start ignoring the random tugs on your skin. Every time I grow out the full beard, it's about 2 weeks before I forget it's there.

 

[DuncB]

Itch ceases straight after shaving the beard off!
You'll look younger as well.

 

[mac_1103]

You'll look younger as well.

Depends on how many chins are hiding under the beard.

 

[Deadalus]

A beard grows at about a half inch per month. It's extremely rare for me to shave it all the way off so I don't remember how long it will itch. I have only shaved it off totally once and that was around 25 years ago but I would guess it takes about a month. I also once trimmed it down to a goatee and then kept it that way for several years because I thought it was showing too much grey but I got over that. I'd also say it itches because the hairs are stiff and poking you so try some beard oil to soften it up. You should use beard oil on it anyway it will soften it up when it comes in as well.

 

[jcav]

I have had a full beard since 2020, (now it's trimmed to a medium beard) I grew it out during covid and I remember it did itch at first but after a few weeks it stopped. I also did use beard oil which hydrates your skin and keeps it from drying out. It makes a big difference, so try using some beard oil every day.

John

 

[DuncB]

Depends on how many chins are hiding under the beard.

Ahh I see it's camoflague.
They say that black is quite slimming so perhaps dye it as well if needed.

 

[dmtaylor]