Beards and Men

Leviticus 19:27 KJVS

[27] Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.

We see some men with them. The Most High commands we grow them. Yet, how many consider their significance?

What is so special about a beard? For starters, not all humans grow them; they are a trait specific to males. This shows a gender divide. That a beard is a symbol of masculinity. And to shave one’s beard off is one way to emasculate that man. And give him a more feminine look. Have you ever looked at lions? How did you immediately spot the difference between the male and female lions? The beard! Or at least the lions version of it (the mane). Which, just like human males grows and matures with them. It is shameful to shave a man’s beard off.

2 Samuel 10:4-5 KJVS

[4] Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. [5] When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

Which brings me to my next point. Beards are a sign of one physically maturing. As a male is not born with it per say. Nor does it grow in his early childhood. It is usually in the “preteen” years around twelve or so you start to see slight signs of life. Maybe a couple of chin hairs, even a little mustache. Often longer side burns. However, it isn’t until the teenage years with the onset of puberty that we really get to see massive growth in terms of a males facial hairs. And by the time you reach twenty years of age and are fully mature you should see that most males have a true beard. Or at least as close to the one they will genetically grow.

Beards have other benefits as well. Beards can provide a little extra warmth on your face. Similarly to head hair. If you have ever been bald or cut your hair very low. You will notice your head is more sensitive to cold weather. The same is true for your face.

Beards can also help protect your skin from sun damage and harmful uv rays. Which can be very helpful if you have sensitive skin. Of course the thicker the beard or more dense the beard is the better the protection.

Beards also provide impact protection. Similar to head hair, beards provide more protection and reduce the pain felt from both slaps and punches. If your a male, you may even experiment by slapping your cheek or even lightly punching it. And you will see that when your beard is longer, the less you feel it. The shorter the beard, the more you feel it. Now even if you have a longer beard you may still do this little experiment for yourself using the little bit of “beardless skin” between your eye and the natural boarder of your beard. You will notice a significant difference.

Speaking of protection, if you grow your beard out even further it may provide significant protection from getting chocked out. All you have to do for most men, is tilt your head down. Yet, the longer and thicker your beard. The less tilting you have to do.

Now for beard tips:

Leviticus 13:29 KJVS

[29] If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard;

I am sure hygiene plays a major roll in preventing “plagues” or rather sickness or disease of the scalp or beard.

2 Samuel 19:24 KJVS

[24] And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.

It is a custom to keep a well groomed beard. Having an unkempt beard was strange amongst our people.

Psalm 133:2 KJVS

[2] It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

Yes, we moisturized and oiled our hair and beards. And you should too!

1. Oil your beard! Your beards are made out of hair and the beard needs proper moisture for the hair and surface of the skin to get its nutrients and stay hydrated. A dry beard is subject to lack of growth and breakage. Try different oils and see how your beard and facial skin react to find the best ones that work for you. Jojoba oil, black castor oil, avocado oil, and olive oil are all good starts. It is usually best to lightly moisten your beard with water before applying oil. A well oiled beard is also very attractive as well. Shows good grooming and self care. It is good to lightly oil it daily. Some men even have a morning and evening oil routine.

2. Satin and silk pillow cases help your head hair and your beards from getting dried out and reduces split ends. Now before one thinks of worrying about split ends as a light thing. Once split ends occur in your beard it will continue to cause your beard hairs to break off very easily, stunting your beard growth. And if far spread you will have to trim your beard low enough until the healthy portions of your beard show again. Not fun if you enjoyed the growth or you have long beard goals.

3. Wash your beard! With beard shampoo! Your face is more sensitive than other parts of the body and may require different soaps as well as different oils or lotions to moisturize it. It is a good practice to use a shampoo on your beard not just any body soap. As you want to be mindful of what you are putting on your beard that may be damaging it or stripping it of its nutrients stunting its growth or health.

4. Beard balm is good once your beard starts to have considerable growth. Beard balm is to be put on usually after you oil your beard. And is meant to be a beard conditioner and help primarily soften your beard.

5. Beard wax is good if you have a more frizzy or unkempt beard and you want your beard to look more uniform or “neater” in appearance. It is a major tool in helping men style their beards. When applying the beard wax you don’t want your beard to be too oily and you do not want it to be wet.

6. If your beard is not growing it may be your water. High chlorine, calcium and heavy metals in the water can damage your beard and slow growth as well. If you live in an apartment I recommend a point of use shower filter. If you have a home I would also add a point of entry filter and maintain both. Point of entry filters filter the water coming from the city into the home. Point of use filter the water that may be contaminated due to bad or old pipes in the home.

7. Remember your basic health. If your beard is not growing and you are following the tips above, you must strongly consider are you getting rest and eating healthy. Get more fruits and vegetables in your life.