Beard getting thicker

**infotech** · 01-03-2008, 08:18 AM

It's been 1 year since I started shaving with a DE. In the past year, I've gone back and forth from DE to M3 to DE to M3. Today while reading some posts it hit me... my beard has changed in the past year. I have more stubble on my cheeks, neck, and chin compared to this time last year. Now I wonder if my changing beard was having an impact on my shaves. Not only did I have to get used to no pressure, blade angle, and all of the other little things but my beard was getting thicker and courser. Three months into shaving with a DE the second time, it seemed like more stubble was getting left behind. When I think back, I realize now that my chin became very tough at shaving clean. I would have to take extra passes on the left side just to get it mostly smooth. Even now with an M3, I have to go ATG to get MOST (not all) off the whiskers shaved off. With a DE this led to irritation, bumps, and burn.

How much can a growing beard effect shaving? I think that after a beard gets a consistent growth pattern that shaving should get easier.

**Shave Cat** · 01-03-2008, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by infotech

It's been 1 year since I started shaving with a DE. In the past year, I've gone back and forth from DE to M3 to DE to M3. Today while reading some posts it hit me... my beard has changed in the past year. I have more stubble on my cheeks, neck, and chin compared to this time last year. Now I wonder if my changing beard was having an impact on my shaves. Not only did I have to get used to no pressure, blade angle, and all of the other little things but my beard was getting thicker and courser. Three months into shaving with a DE the second time, it seemed like more stubble was getting left behind. When I think back, I realize now that my chin became very tough at shaving clean. I would have to take extra passes on the left side just to get it mostly smooth. Even now with an M3, I have to go ATG to get MOST (not all) off the whiskers shaved off. With a DE this led to irritation, bumps, and burn.

How much can a growing beard effect shaving? I think that after a beard gets a consistent growth pattern that shaving should get easier.

I'm certainly no expert, but I would think that your shaving results would be more consistent.

-Clarke

**Peppery John** · 01-03-2008, 12:03 PM

It could be your age, I don't think it reaches it peak until the late twenties.

Have we any Doctors here?

**BD1970** · 01-03-2008, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by Peppery John

Have we any Doctors here?

I've been an ameteur gynecologist for years...does that count?

**Chairman Nemo** · 01-03-2008, 02:52 PM

I can vouch myself that my beard is coming way "thicker and coarser" than ever before. I did grow a beard out once (soft hair, not very long..*see below*). a year a so ago using the Mach 3 system of shaving.

)

Now that I started DE shaving I feel my facial hair coming in waaaay thicker. I'm starting to think I could grow some Santa Claus style thick beard. Which is way cool in my book. I wish also to figure out why this is happening.....

Then maybe if I give up my DE I can grow something like this..

**Daves** · 01-03-2008, 03:33 PM

Last June, after having a beard for more than 10 years, I shaved it off. I have always had a thick beard. It was hard to shave. I have camel trader blood in me. I knew, while I had the beard, that my beard became thicker and covered more area. Nevertheless when I shaved it off I was shocked by how much tougher it had become to shave. It's hard work to get a close shave. I am turning 51 this month and I can vouch that your beard doesn't necessarily stop getting thicker in the late twenties.

**Peppery John** · 01-03-2008, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by BD1970

I've been an ameteur gynecologist for years...does that count?

I wanted to be a Doctor, but I didn't have the patients

shavemyface have several Doctors on call

**randomtw** · 01-03-2008, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by Chairman Nemo

I can vouch myself that my beard is coming way "thicker and coarser" than ever before. I did grow a beard out once (soft hair, not very long..*see below*). a year a so ago using the Mach 3 system of shaving.

)

1. Cut a whole in the box.
2. Put your junk in that box.
3. Make her open the box.

**Chairman Nemo** · 01-03-2008, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by randomtw

1. Cut a whole in the box.
2. Put your junk in that box.
3. Make her open the box.

4. And That's The Way You Do It!!!

**indykramer** · 01-04-2008, 02:51 AM

I hate to get the thread off topic from the way its going because that is my favorite SNL skit ever.

Back to shaving. I had a deployment for 6 months and when i came back my wife remarked that my beard had gotten severely coarser. I hadn't noticed it because well i was deployed and better things to worry about. But i certainly notice it now and that was one of the many reasons i switched to wetshaving. So moral of the story is your beard (at least mine) can change in 6 months.

**Lynchmeister** · 01-04-2008, 05:55 AM

I'm in agreement that beards can change in different ways over time, but I hope we're all of the understanding that shaving or lack thereof is not the cause.

**infotech** · 01-04-2008, 10:17 AM

My thread seems to have been hijacked by a bunch of noobs padding their post count

I don't think that wet shaving made my whiskers tougher, I think it just happens over time to certain people like myself. I've never been able to grow a full beard but have to shave every day because I dark whiskers, patchy whiskers. Every year I have more. My point was that it could have an effect on your shave if your beard changes over time and you don't compensate for it.

I guess it still comes down to angle, pressure, blade selection, and lather. Sometimes I try to get philosophical and it doesn't work

**SmoovD** · 01-04-2008, 12:24 PM

My thread seems to have been hijacked by a bunch of noobs padding their post count

The nerve...

BTW- that skit is funny but it could use more cowbell.

PS- I sure wish there was a "cowbell" smiley.

**Lynchmeister** · 01-04-2008, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by SmoovD

The nerve...

BTW- that skit is funny but it could use more cowbell.

PS- I sure wish there was a "cowbell" smiley.

"I got a fever and the only prescription..."

**randomtw** · 01-04-2008, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by infotech

My thread seems to have been hijacked by a bunch of noobs padding their post count

I don't think that wet shaving made my whiskers tougher, I think it just happens over time to certain people like myself. I've never been able to grow a full beard but have to shave every day because I dark whiskers, patchy whiskers. Every year I have more. My point was that it could have an effect on your shave if your beard changes over time and you don't compensate for it.

I guess it still comes down to angle, pressure, blade selection, and lather. Sometimes I try to get philosophical and it doesn't work

you have Chairman Nemo to blame for that, he should know better than to post a picture like that on here

**Chairman Nemo** · 01-05-2008, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by randomtw

you have Chairman Nemo to blame for that, he should know better than to post a picture like that on here

Oh really? I thought I was adding some humor, while contributing to the post. Sorry, didn't know it was sooo serious in here talking about beard growth. I hardly considered two posts a thread jack. I guess my contribution has been misunderstood by you fine gentlemen.

Great way to build comraderie around here. Happy Shaving.

**Rusty** · 01-05-2008, 04:44 PM

http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/hairgrow.asp

**TENroaches** · 01-05-2008, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by Chairman Nemo

Oh really? I thought I was adding some humor, while contributing to the post. Sorry, didn't know it was sooo serious in here talking about beard growth. I hardly considered two posts a thread jack. I guess my contribution has been misunderstood by you fine gentlemen.

Great way to build comraderie around here. Happy Shaving.

I think he was kiddin'. Can't be sure, but probably. Then again, maybe you're kidding here. I'll never understand anything.

(one more post count here

)

**JerimiahC** · 01-05-2008, 09:47 PM

Well I have to add to all this. (A little more on topic, but maybe not what infotech had in mind) My beard is getting thicker and I DO beleive it's because of shaving. Don't get me wrong, I think, with me, the change to better products on my face has made it more healthy. My face has changed for the better in many ways. It's softer, smoother and all around healthier and I think this has made the hair to grow in a little thicker.

Now back on topic. I agree that as I've gotten older my beard has gotten thicker. Not as much as it has lately, but a little more with time.

**Mr. Gillette** · 01-06-2008, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by JerimiahC

Well I have to add to all this. (A little more on topic, but maybe not what infotech had in mind) My beard is getting thicker and I DO beleive it's because of shaving. Don't get me wrong, I think, with me, the change to better products on my face has made it more healthy. My face has changed for the better in many ways. It's softer, smoother and all around healthier and I think this has made the hair to grow in a little thicker.

Now back on topic. I agree that as I've gotten older my beard has gotten thicker. Not as much as it has lately, but a little more with time.

Since I've gotten older, the hair on my back has gotten thicker and longer.

Sincerely,

Ed Asner