Why Is My Beard Itchy?
How to Treat an Itchy Beard
Why Is My Beard Itchy?
How to Treat an Itchy Beard
Follow our guide on what causes an itchy beard, why your beard is itchy in the first place, how to treat an itchy beard and itchy goatee, and how to soothe dry skin under the beard so you know how to prevent beard itch in future.
Beard hair is different from the hair on your head. Beard hair is called androgenic hair, meaning that growth is mainly driven by hormones. It's thicker and coarser than the hair on your head, and the level of hormones determines the thickness and growth of your beard.
There are several itchy beard causes and reasons for itchy beard stubble, from irritation from shaving to clogged pores and dry skin under beard hair.
Read on to find out what's behind your itchy beard, why your beard might be itchy and how to treat it so you can stop beard itch quickly.
Skin irritation under the beard
and what causes it
If you have a full beard and it itches, this could be caused by dry skin under the beard. Facial hair draws moisture from the skin, pulling it up from the surface and onto the hairs, where it quickly evaporates. This can leave the skin extremely dry or flaky and even cause beard dandruff. Also, dead skin cells that are normally removed by daily face washing or exfoliation get trapped in the hair, and dirt and oil buildup can cause skin irritation and itching on beard hair.
It's also very common to have itchy beard stubble in the beginning when you decide to grow a beard. When you shave, you leave a sharp edge to each hair follicle, and when it first starts to grow, the tougher tufts of hair scrape against the edges of the follicle – which is what causes itchy beard stubble and can make you wonder why your beard is so itchy.
BEARD
PIMPLES
Breakouts
Spots and breakouts occur when sebum, produced by the skin, mixes with dead skin cells on the skin's surface.
Ingrown Hair
Ingrown hairs occur when a hair that has been shaved or cut grows back into the follicle, instead of out, and becomes trapped under the skin. This is what causes irritation and inflammation. When this happens, the follicle can become red, lumpy, and itchy. People with curly hair are particularly prone to ingrown hairs.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is when the follicles that contain your beard hair become inflamed and feel tender or painful to touch. They can get blisters and, if there's a bacterial infection, they can become filled with pus. Folliculitis is usually a result of a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, although it can also be caused by ingrown hairs.
How to
get rid of beard dandruff
Beard dandruff is caused by a condition called seborrhoeic dermatitis, which causes beard rash and flaking skin.
Although experts don't know exactly what causes seborrhoeic dermatitis, they do know it's a reaction to a yeast in the skin called Malassezia. This fungus will likely grow in areas with many sebaceous glands, such as the scalp and face. The fungus breaks down the oil produced by these glands, a process that can trigger scale formation and flaky rashes on the scalp, eyebrows, nose, beard, and moustache. It's a chronic condition that can flare up at any time, but good beard hygiene will help to ease it and is an important part of itchy beard treatment.
If you have flaky skin under your beard but no redness or irritation, the cause of the itchy beard may be dry skin under beard hair rather than seborrhoeic dermatitis.
- Wash your beard with warm water daily.
- Use a beard wash that's gentle on the skin
- Exfoliate with a beard brush to remove dead skin cells. Be careful not to brush too hard, or you'll make beard dandruff or beard rash worse
- Moisturise your beard. This is a crucial step, especially if beard itch or dandruff is caused by dry skin under beard hair. Again, choose a product that's gentle on the skin, like NIVEA MEN Sensitive Pro Facial Balm that soothes and relieves and can fit into your overall itchy beard treatment routine.
How to care
for your beard and stop beard itch
CONDITION – If you have a longer beard, use a special beard balm to loosen and soften the beard. Once you've cleansed your beard, apply balm and let it work for a few minutes before rinsing. When choosing a balm, look for products with natural ingredients like argan oil or jojoba oil – these are great for softening and strengthening your beard and make a big difference when you're working out how to stop beard itch.
DRY YOUR BEARD – although this step is often overlooked, it's quite important – make sure to dry your beard properly. Leaving water in the beard can dry out the skin and beard and cause itchy beard rash. Gently pat your beard with a towel after cleansing to absorb excess water.
BRUSH – Regular brushing will not only give your beard a neat shape and smoother texture, but will also get the hairs to grow in a single direction – this will help avoid ingrown hairs and itching. There are specialised beard combs available that make it easier to spread products through your beard, ensuring you get maximum results from the active ingredients and supporting your overall itchy beard treatment routine.
REFINE YOUR SHAVING TECHNIQUE – how you shave can reduce your chances of suffering from itchy beard. To prevent itchy beard and beard pimples try:
- Shaving after showering – the steam will open your pores and provide easier access to the hair follicles, provides a much closer shave and reduces the chances of irritation, chafing, redness and dryness
- Use a new razor blade each time you shave
- If you don't already use one, you should consider switching to an electric razor or a four- or five-blade razor
NOTE:
If you already have beard rash, give your skin some time to calm down. Try to avoid shaving or irritating your skin in other ways – use mild products to relieve the irritation and nourish the dry skin under your beard. This will really help if you're asking yourself why is my beard itchy and how can I stop the itching on beard hair.