They give men a distinguished and masculine appearance. Plus, beards come in a range of styles, allowing you to find the one that best suits your face shape and aesthetic.
However, not all beards are created equal. Some of them have a bald spot on the top or bottom of their beard.
This can be a source of insecurity for some men. If you have a bald patch in your beard, you should not panic.
Why does this happen? And what can you do about it? Read our guide below to find out!
Why Do I Have a Bald Spot In My Beard?
The reason why your beard has a bald spot may be due to genetics. It could also be caused by poor grooming habits. You may also notice a bald spot if you shave too close to your skin.
Here are some of the most common causes of bald spots in beards:
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease where hair follicles become inflamed and fall off.
Essentially, this means that the reaction is caused by your own immune system, which targets the facial hair follicles.
The condition usually occurs when people are young and affects 1-2% of the population.
This can occur throughout your body, not just your beard. For example, you may experience hair loss in your face, eyebrows, and other body parts. While there is no cure, treatment options include topical steroids and oral medications.
The solution to this may be fairly obvious, namely that you should improve your grooming habits.
Genetics
If your father had a bald spot in his beard, then chances are you will too.
Genetics play a role in whether your beard has a bald patch. Hair loss is hereditary and can be passed down from both sides of your family.
However, there is nothing much you can do about it. Your genetics cannot be altered.
Shaving Too Close To Your Skin
If you shave too close to the surface of your skin, you run the risk of causing damage to your skin. This can lead to irritation and inflammation which in turn leads to hair loss.
Shave with a razor that has been designed specifically for sensitive skin. Also, use a moisturizing aftershave lotion.
Hormonal Imbalance
Some men complain of having a bald spot in their beards. This could be due to hormonal imbalance.
Hormones control the growth cycle of hair follicles. When hormones are imbalanced, hair follicles stop growing. This results in the loss of hair.
There are several ways to treat this problem. These include using antiandrogens (anti-hormone) medication and hormone replacement therapy.
Symptoms include patches of hair loss, especially around the chin area. Stress is considered a cause of this condition.
Thyroid Disease
A thyroid gland located on top of your neck produces hormones that help regulate many functions in your body. If your thyroid gland becomes underactive, it can negatively impact your health. One of these effects is hair loss.
Other symptoms include weight gain, fatigue, depression, and dry skin.
Medications
Certain drugs can cause hair loss. Some examples include isotretinoin (Accutane), finasteride (Propecia), and chemotherapy. In addition, certain antibiotics like minocycline can also cause hair loss.
If you are concerned that your medication may be causing hair loss, it is recommended that you talk to your doctor. Depending on your condition, you may be able to try different forms of medication.
Stress
Stress can cause hair loss. This is because stress can increase levels of cortisol, a hormone that controls blood sugar levels. Cortisol can cause hair follicles to shrink.
Therefore, if you have a stressful job or a hectic lifestyle, you may notice more hair loss than usual. You can reduce stress by taking time out for yourself every day. Try going for a walk, reading a book, or meditating.
Excessive Sweating
Another reason why you might develop a bald spot in your beard is excessive sweating.
Excessive sweating can cause hair follicles on your face to become clogged and damaged. This can result in hair loss.
Make sure that you drink plenty of water during the summer months when you sweat heavily.
Moreover, remember to do this when exercising. Bring a towel with you to remove excess sweat. This can be a particularly big problem if your face becomes quite sweaty, as this may be causing beard hair loss.
Diet
Some foods can cause hair loss. For example, there is some evidence that caffeine can cause hair loss by interfering with the production of melanin.
Melanin helps protect hair follicles from sun damage. Foods high in iron such as red meat are believed to also cause hair loss, though the evidence of this happening is minimal.
Telogen Effluvium
The final reason why you may have a bald patch in your beard is because of telogen effluvium.
This is a temporary type of hair loss that occurs after a traumatic event or a period of illness.
Telogen effluvium usually affects women, particularly after childbirth, although it has been seen in men too. The most common symptom of this condition is hair falling out in large amounts.
However, it can also cause your hair to fall out in small amounts. There are other symptoms including itching, increased sensitivity to heat, and anemia. Thankfully, this condition is only temporary.
What Should I Do About It?
If you have a patch in your beard, you should not panic. There are plenty of things you can do about it.
First, make sure that you wash your beard regularly. This will prevent any bacteria from growing in the area.
Second, apply a moisturizer to your beard. This will keep your skin soft and hydrated.
Third, use a comb to gently brush through your beard. This will help stimulate new growth. If you want to get rid of the bald patch, you can shave off the affected areas. This will allow your body to heal and grow back stronger.
Improving your diet and lifestyle can also help you to regrow your beard. Eating a balanced diet can do a world of good. By increasing your protein intake, your beard is likely to be thicker.
This is because hair is made of keratin, a form of protein. In addition, drinking lots of water can help to keep your skin healthy.
Furthermore, increasing your testosterone can be beneficial. Testosterone is a male sex hormone that promotes hair growth. It can also improve your mood.
You can increase your testosterone by eating fish, nuts, and whole grains. These foods contain omega-3 fatty acids which can boost testosterone levels.
Furthermore, they can lower cholesterol levels. You can also enhance your testosterone through exercise. Alternatively, you can take testosterone boosters to improve this.
Finally, using a topical treatment like minoxidil can promote hair growth. Minoxidil is available over-the-counter at pharmacies. It works by stimulating blood flow to the scalp. This increases the amount of oxygen that reaches the hair follicle.
As a result, more hair grows. You may want to consult your doctor if you are interested in trying Minoxidil.
Beard Care Tips
1. Use a good quality beard oil. Beard oil helps keep your beard soft and nourished. You can find them online or at any drug store.
2. Avoid overgrooming. Overgrooming can lead to hair loss.
3. Don’t shave too often. Shaving more than once every two weeks can lead to hair loss and irritation.
4. Keep your beard trimmed.
5. Use good quality products, such as beard moisturizer.
How to Cover A Bald Patch
Beard patches are fairly common and so you should not feel insecure about them.
However, if you want to cover this patch, the best option may be to dye your beard. For instance, you could choose to shade your beard with brown. This would look great on dark complexions.
Alternatively, you could opt for a lighter shade. This would suit fair complexions. By dying your beard, it will create a more full and uniform aesthetic.
If you want to conceal a patch, the best idea is to use natural colors. However, if you are feeling a little bolder you can try more fun and vibrant beard dyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Bald Spots Grow Back?
In most cases, hair can regrow in bald spots. This will likely be the case if you only have a few bald patches.
However, you may suffer from permanent hair loss, which cannot be regrown. It may be worth talking to a doctor or specialist for advice if you are concerned about this being permanent.
What Causes Bald Spots?
Bald spots occur when hair follicles stop producing hair. They can occur due to stress, medical conditions, or genetics. The cause of bald spots varies depending on the individual.
Final Thoughts
If you have a patch in the middle of your beard, don’t worry. We hope that this guide will have given you all the information you need regarding potential causes and treatments.
Once you have determined what is causing this facial hair loss, it will be much more manageable to treat. It is important to remember that a patchy beard is not something to be overly concerned about.
In fact, it can usually be treated simply and it can be straightforward to cover up.
My name is Doug, and I've been growing a beard on and off for many years now.
I've not had a perfect journey on the road to growing a beard. I've spent more time than I want to admit learning about growing a beard. I'm not one of those blessed with perfect beard-growing genes. So, I've encountered many frustrating and challenging obstacles along the way.
I hope some of my mistakes and victories along the way will help you on your journey to your perfect beard. Of course, reach out if I can help and share this content with your friends that are beginning or struggling on their journey as well.
