How to grow a beard: everything you need to know

It's that time of year when men who have never explored alternatives to their facial hair get brave. Four Week Commitment - How Hard Can It Be? Difficult, probably not, but a challenge nonetheless: The average man has somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 follicles on his face—and once they start growing, keeping them clean requires a little planning. Here's everything you need to know to grow a beard.

Follow these 8 rules to have a fuller beard to look even more attractive:

1. Wait for the Ugly

Get ready this month for the first time men with beards have called a bad round by Neville Hall, founder of Bold Beardsman. "Your facial hair may be fragmented, uneven and may not yet have a defined growth pattern that compliments your jaw line," warns Hall.

This caveman look isn't exactly flashy, but the worst of it all wears off after seven to 10 days. In the meantime, comb your hair, wear sharp clothes, and brush your teeth so your boss doesn't think you're in a week.

2. don't touch

You want to scratch. And rub. And shave off the whole itchy mess or at least give it a definition. It's time to show your will power. "A novice may rush to touch up their lines, but it's best to resist over-shaping your beard until you see its full potential," advises Hall.

It will also help you understand your hair type and growth pattern better. How long before you turn off the trimmer? "For most men, a general rule of thumb is to wait four weeks before attempting to trim their beard," Hall says.

Practice Excellent Skin Hygiene

Believe it or not, for many men, cleaning their face is intricately linked to a shaving routine. No shaving, no washing. But dirt accumulates, which clogs the pores and increases irritation.

"You can fight the itch by using a deep face wash that gently cleans your pores and restores moisture to your skin," says Hall. (Try Clinique for Men Face Scrub, $26 on Amazon.)

Follow up with a daily moisturizer on all areas of your face, especially along the beard line where the itching sensation can be at its worst.

4. Lubricate Your Mustache

By the end of the second week and the third week, your hair will start looking like a real beard. The time has come to accept it as one. "Poor beard maintenance leads to dandruff, chapped limbs, and dry, irritated skin," says Hall.

"Hydration and care of your beard is essential for full and healthy growth." For those who are doing it for the first time or anyone with sensitive skin, look for a natural lubricant that will give your beard a clean, soft texture while infusing it with nutrients.

Rocky Mountain Barber Cedarwood Beard Balm ($13 on Amazon) and Caveman Grooming Company Virgin Cedarwood Beard Oil. ($10 on Amazon) Both are 100 percent organic.

To use it, first massage the balm into your scarf, aiming to cover the skin from underneath (more or less easier depending on the thickness of your growth).

Then apply some oil on your hands and then run your hands through your facial hair. The balm treats the skin while the oil works by enhancing shine and locking in moisture.

5. Invest in a Good Comb

Let's face it, it's a comb. Whatever you buy, it won't break the bank. So why not get a good wooden comb like the Striking Viking Wooden Beard Comb ($12 on Amazon): small enough to fit in the back pocket of your jeans and strong enough to snap if you sit on it Not there.

"Using a wooden toothbrush helps spread your oil or balm evenly and evenly across your face," Hall says. "The wrong comb can damage your facial hair, leaving the ends of your beard torn and matted, rough spots."

6. Know Your Face

So your hair is short. Maybe a little more. And you want to do something memorable with it. This is good. But first, know the scenario in which you are creating your design.

It's a fancy way of saying, calculate whether the look you want fits your head. "You will be informed about the shape of your face