Growing a full beard comes with challenges of its own, especially if you inherited a patchy beard due to your genes. It can be a cause of frustration for many men who lack facial hair around the cheek and have involuntary hair growth under their chin.
If struggling with growing a full beard has left you questioning ‘why is my beard only growing under my chin?’ as well, you’ve come to the right place. There can be various reasons behind why you aren’t able to grow a full beard, and luckily, there are solutions as well.
Why My Beard is Only Growing Under My Chin?
The most common reason why many guys only grow beards under their chins is genetical dispositions. The amount of facial hair growth is determined by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the body which are linked with genetics. Other causes may include alopecia areata, clinically low levels of testosterone or protein, and age.
Read below to know more about what a beard under the chin is called, whether a beard should be under your chin or not, why does hair only grow under the chin for some guys, and possible ways to deal with such a beard.
What Is a Beard Under the Chin Called?
A beard under the chin, whether resulting due to genetics or from intentional grooming, is called a neckbeard. For this article, we will be focusing on neckbeards that result from physical factors such as genetics, diet, hormones and so on.
These factors can cause a guy to have little to no hair around the cheeks, while the neck still appears to be beardy, leading to what we know as a ‘neckbeard.’
In contemporary fashion trends, neckbeards are commonly seen as a sign of untidiness or poor grooming, unless they’re styled intentionally to pull off looks such as the ‘Old Dutch beard’ or the ‘Chinstrap.’ For guys who wish to have a full beard look though, a neckbeard can be a cause of self-consciousness and negative body image.
Despite how neckbeards are contemporarily negatively seen, in some cultures around the world, neckbeards carry special meanings. This can be especially seen in the Amish community where men grow beards longer around the neck, while shaving the moustache and cheek line. They regard such a beard as a sign of spirituality and a way of distinguishing themselves from the military.
Should a Beard Be Under the Chin?
Whether you should keep a beard under your chin or not really comes down to what look you want to go for. There aren’t any rules in fashion, but if you wish to follow a specific trend, there isn’t anything stopping you.
Typically, many male grooming sites recommend overweight guys who want to accentuate their jawline to trim their beard under their chin, since it ‘outlines’ the jaw and separates from the neck, giving the illusion of a thinner face. An unkempt neckbeard may also not be professionally suitable for a conventional workplace, so you may want to trim it while going for an interview.
Besides personal preferences, having a neckbeard is not a cause of major concern unless it is causing you to develop body image issues or if you suffered from a sudden lose of facial hair as a result of alopecia, low levels of testosterone and other health issues.
Why Does Hair Only Grow on My Chin?
Genetic Factors
Facial hair growth is determined by DHT levels. However, simply increasing DHT levels is not a solution because it brings the opposite effect upon the scalp, causing hair loss. Similarly, it is believed that having less facial hair results from low testosterone levels. However, unless your testosterone levels are clinically low, they won’t have a direct effect on your facial hair growth.
Alopecia
Alopecia is a disease that can lead to a sudden hair loss both on your scalp and your face. While it doesn’t have a ‘cure’ per se, doctors recommend over-the-counter treatments such as minoxidil. There might be potential side-effects, so it’s recommended to get a prescription first.
Age
Facial hair growth levels can be different for everyone. Some men have a full beard as they reach their early 20s, while others reach a decent amount of facial hair during their 30s.
Poor Skincare Routine
While skin problems such as acne and dryness do not directly lead to hair loss, they can aggravate an already existing hair growth issue. Dermatologists recommend using clinically tested face cleansers and moisturizers based on a person’s skin type (dry, oily or combination).
Ways to Deal with a Neckbeard
There are several solutions you can try to grow a fuller beard if having a neckbeard bothers you. It’s important to know, however, that there isn’t any miracle cure or oil out there to grow thicker facial hair. Some fraudulent sellers online market supplements or pills as cures for hair loss but these usually aren’t clinically tested.
One of the simplest ways to deal with a neckbeard is to give it some time to grow. Beard growth is different for every guy, so it’s important to let it grow out for a couple of weeks or months and see if your beard fills in the patchy areas.
If alopecia or some sort of vitamin or mineral deficiency is the cause for your neckbeard, consider consulting a medical professional for a prescription. Having a balanced diet, exercising, drinking enough water, and avoiding smoking or harmful amounts of alcohol can also lead towards a better hair health in general.
If you’re suffering from severe hair loss, whether on your scalp or your face, you can try microneedling, a cosmetic procedure that treats baldness in men.
Conclusion
Having a beard that only grows under your neck when you wish for a fuller beard can be a cause of stress, but there are definitely ways around it so you can make the most out of your looks. Never hesitate to consult a doctor, dermatologist or even a men’s fashion stylist in this case – you don’t have to deal with your beard goals all by yourself!
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