There’s nothing worse than having a bad hair day; unless you have a beard. A bad beard day is bad for your appearance, self-esteem, and beard. Ordinarily curly locks of hair are considered attractive and give the impression of youth and health.
When those curly locks of hair are growing out of your face, it’s a different story. When a naturally coarse beard hair curls up you can end up with a messy mass of hair. There many different kinds of beard hair and some hair textures are naturally hard to manage.
Why are Some Beards Curly?
Whether your beard grows in straight or curly depends on the shape of your follicles.
Symmetrical hair follicles will sprout straight hair that lays flat. If the hair follicle is asymmetrical, it will grow an oval shaped hair shaft that will increasingly curl the longer it gets.
Even symmetrical hair follicles can grow curly hair if the hair shaft has an uneven distribution of a particular type of keratin.
How About Straightening Your Beard?
If your curly beard is hard to control straightening could be the best option for you. There are different methods to accomplish beard straightening; natural, chemical and mechanical.
Every method involves relaxing the hair so that it will lay flatter and become more manageable.
How to Straighten Your Beard Naturally
Naturally straightening your beard is a daily process. You’ll need to establish a routine of beard maintenance and stick with it. With diligence and care, your beard will remain straight throughout the day.
The first step in the process is to lose the soap and shampoo. Beard hair is more apt to break and develop split ends. Facial hair needs gentle care to look its best. So say no to harsh soaps and shampoos.
Wash your beard with a mild cleanser formulated for beards, and use beard hair conditioner afterward. Soap made for beard use won’t strip away natural oils, and a beard conditioner won’t weigh down facial hair or give it a greasy feel. Wet hair is weaker than dry hair, and more easily damaged.
Here are toweling do’s and don’ts to consider:
- Do gently pat dry your beard with a soft towel to prevent hair breakage
- Don’t vigorously rub the beard
Now we’re ready for the next step to a naturally straightened beard.
Naturally Straighten Your Beard by Brushing it Out
Before you begin you’ll need three things; a quality beard-brush, a hair-dryer, and silicone cream (available in most drug stores).
While your beard is still slightly damp from washing and conditioning, gently work in the silicone cream into your beard. Now use the beard-brush and blow dryer to groom and set your beard. Once the silicone cream sets in the hair will remain straighter for the rest of the day.
Keep these do’s and don’ts in mind for great results:
- Don’t use a hot blow-dryer; hot air will make hair brittle
- Don’t rub the silicone cream on your beard
- Do use the coolest setting possible
- Do gently work it in by following the direction the hair grows in
- Do also use a good beard oil to keep hair soft
Establish this morning routine, and you’ll have a well-groomed beard all day long.
How to Straighten Your Beard with Chemicals
There is a range of products available to straighten hair. These products use harsh chemicals that can burn the skin and should only be handled by a professional. The skin of your face is delicate and easily damaged. Harsh chemicals and delicate skin do not go together.
If you decide to straighten your beard chemically look for a competent hair professional, do not do this at home. If you don’t want the expense, risk or inconvenience of going to a salon to have your beard straightened, there are alternatives. Watch this video and find out how to make a safe hair straightener out of natural ingredients:
How to Straighten Your Beard With Beard Straightener
If you have a truly wild mane that resists every attempt you make to tame it; you might have to turn up the heat. While it is true that a hot blow-dryer can turn soft hair into a brittle mess, there is a place for heat in beard grooming.
A good hair straightening iron will quickly and efficiently control your beard. Make sure to pick up a mini sized one; a regular one is just too big.
The process is straightforward and simple, saving you time. Bear in mind that the results will only last until your next shower.
A good brand of beard straightener with lots of positive reviews is the Remington S2900 Ceramic Pearl Mini Hair Straightener.
- This model comes from a well-known company, and the reviews all agree that it’s reliable and does the job well
- It gets hot enough to straighten hair quickly and easily
- It’s the perfect size for beard straightening
- Narrow heating plates that make it easy to straighten the whole beard
If you use a hair straightening iron, remember to apply beard oil afterward to keep hair soft and prevent damage.
Is Beard Straightening Worth it?
Everyone has their own ideas about personal style. For many men, a wild bushy beard is just what they like. But if you find excessively curly facial hair just too messy, or simply prefer the look of a straight, smooth beard then be prepared to work for it.
If you have a naturally curled beard, you will need to dedicate time every day to forcing your hair into shape while keeping your beard from suffering damage.
If you’re ready to use the right products and methods regularly and are happiest with your beard straightened then go for it!
Beard straightening is no different than any other personal grooming habits you have. Beard straightening is worth it to look the way you think is best.
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