Just like women's hairstyles and nails, a man's beard says a lot about him and plays an important role in making a first impression. That's why maintaining it is an essential routine for having a well-groomed and healthy beard. However, a clean and well-groomed beard is not just about physical appearance, it's also a matter of health. According to a study, beards can harbor bacteria. To avoid ending up with a neglected-looking beard and to showcase a well-groomed one, here are some tips to follow.

Wash your beard regularly

Your beard can be exposed to various elements throughout the day such as food crumbs, pollution, saliva, tobacco, and cigarette smoke. As a result, your beard can harbor a variety of bacteria. In addition, the growth of beard hair can cause itching and sometimes flaking of the skin. Therefore, it is crucial to clean your beard daily. Make sure to wash your beard twice a day with water and preferably a natural soap or a specific beard shampoo, in the morning and at night, to remove all the dirt and oils that have accumulated throughout the day. Remember to dry your beard properly after washing as excess water and moisture can damage the hair cuticle and hair follicles.

Keep Your Beard Hydrated

Daily washing of the beard is not enough. It is also important to keep it clean and well-groomed at all times. One crucial step in beard care is proper hydration. To achieve this, you can apply beard balm or oil after washing and drying your beard. Applying beard oil correctly will prevent brittle hair tips and promote faster beard growth. Not only will your beard be well hydrated and easy to style, but the oil will also take care of your skin. As for beard balm, it helps moisturize the beard, giving it a natural hold while keeping each hair in place.

Brushing and Waxing Your Beard: The Essential Steps

Brush your beard daily using a specialized beard brush, preferably made of boar bristles. It will help regulate the sebum on your face and beard. Brushing will help combat stubborn hairs and train them to grow downwards. The brush will also guide your hair follicles in a uniform direction, ensuring that your facial hair grows in the same direction. Additionally, use a wide-toothed or skeleton comb to properly detangle your beard, and if possible, apply beard wax to give it the desired shape while avoiding tangles and a messy appearance.

A smoother beard?

For longer hipster-style beards, they require different types of care due to their volume and length. Smoothing is one of the steps to achieve a perfectly shaped beard and give it the desired look. Nowadays, there are numerous options for beard straighteners available. Just like with hair, make sure your beard is dry and well-groomed before straightening it. Additionally, pay attention to the temperature to prevent your hair from drying out too much.

- "Trim and Shave Your Beard

Treat your beard like you do with your hair. It needs to be shaved and trimmed at least once a week. Trimming is essential for a well-groomed beard and it will promote the growth of new hairs. You can seek the help of a professional barber for this. They will guide you on the appropriate shape and size of the beard that suits your face. Later on, you can maintain your beard at home by performing the trimming and shaving yourself. In this case, you should invest in a quality razor, trimmer, and a pair of scissors, and find the right technique to avoid ending up with a fake-looking beard.

Don't Forget the Lotion

During shaving, the skin may become irritated and razor burn can occur. This can cause redness, burning, pimples, and small wounds. To soothe razor burn and moisturize your skin while also tightening pores, it is necessary to apply pre-shave lotion before shaving or a soothing and nourishing aftershave lotion after shaving. Make sure to apply the lotion when your beard is clean and dry.