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In this blog post, we will explore the topic of “At what age does your beard stop filling in?” This is a question that has been asked by many guys. And while the answer may seem simple, there are a lot of different factors that can affect how fast your beard grows and fills out. We’ll look at some scientific data on testosterone levels and discuss some strategies for speeding up beard growth, so keep reading!
So, the quick answer is that assuming you are past puberty, your beard will continue to fill out until about the age of 25 to 30 years old. After that point, your beard growth starts slowing down drastically, and your beard stops filling in.
Actually, it depends on a lot of factors like your ethnicity, genetics, hormones, and more, but as a general rule of thumb, most men won’t see noticeable facial hair growth past the age of 30 or younger.
There are ways to make your beard grow faster, though. We’ll cover these in this article as well! First, let’s talk about what happens with your beard at puberty and after that point, and then we will answer the question at what age does your beard stop filling in?
At what age is your beard fully developed?
Your beard is fully developed between the age of 25 and 30 but let’s see why.
Going through puberty and adolescence is a unique experience for everyone. Most men notice one of the biggest changes during this period is increased hair growth. Many men start growing a full beard as soon as they hit puberty, but others don’t see noticeable increases in their beard hair thickness until later on. Personally, I didn’t see a significant change in my beard thickness until I was around 17-18 years old. For some guys, the growth may not be that noticeable until closer to 20 or 21, but not later.
On the flip side, you will notice a slowdown in beard thickness and growth after the age of 30 or maybe a bit before. This isn’t really an age thing, though… it’s more of a time period when testosterone levels start to decrease.
Testosterone is the primary hormone that affects beard hair growth. After you hit puberty, your testosterone levels skyrocket, which is the main reason there is such a noticeable increase in beard thickness during this period. As men enter their late 20s and 30s, their testosterone levels start to decrease slowly but steadily. This gradual testosterone decline is why your beard starts to grow thinner as time goes on. The older you get, the more your beard growth slows down because of this steady decline in testosterone.
Everything depends on the rate of the hair growth cycle
That being said, it’s important to know that not all men are affected equally by this change. Everyone’s genetics (and subsequently hormone levels) are slightly different, and the rate your facial hair grows out can vary. Your beard will likely grow faster because you’re healthier, but if you’re already genetically predisposed to having a slow-growing beard, then it won’t be able to compensate enough to make up for the difference.
There are 3 different phases of the hair growth cycle:
Anagen – This is the growth phase of your hair, where your hair follicles are rapidly producing new cells that push more hairs up through the skin.
Catagen – This is a transitional stage between anagen and telogen that signals to your body that it’s time to stop growing any more hair follicles. It usually lasts about 2-3 weeks.
Telogen – This is the resting phase between anagen and catagen. In this stage, your hair stops growing and falls out of the skin at a normal rate to be replaced by new hair follicles.
Testosterone production affects the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle.
All of this combined means that the more testosterone you have, the faster your beard will grow during the anagen phase. It’s really as simple as that! This is one of the reasons why men with higher testosterone levels can grow thicker beards than guys with lower T-levels…but again, genetics are different for everyone.
How long does your beard keep filling in?
We can’t give a specific number of days, weeks, or months because the rate at which your beard grows is different for everyone. Some men can grow a full beard in as little as a few months, while others will need half a year or longer to achieve similar results.
Factors that can affect how long it takes for your beard to fill in:
Genetics – As we mentioned many times, genetics play a large role in determining how thick and full your beard will be and how quickly it will grow.
Diet – If you want a fuller and thicker beard, you should make sure to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet full of essential nutrients. A healthy beard can only come from a healthy body!
Hormones – It’s also important to make sure that your hormone levels are healthy. If you’re not hitting puberty at the right age, it might take longer for your beard to grow properly. Make sure you get an annual physical exam, and your doctor checks all relevant hormones; testosterone, DHEA, thyroid hormone, etc.
Stress – Beards will become weaker if you’re constantly depressed, anxious, or stressed out. This happens because cortisol (the stress hormone) is known to reduce beard growth. If you’re under a lot of stress, try to find ways to ease your tension, like exercising or meditating.
Sleep – Beards grow faster when you sleep, so neglecting your beauty sleep can be a major factor hindering beard growth.
Weather – Not all beards grow at the same rate because weather plays a major role. Testosterone levels are at their highest during summer and drop significantly during winter.
Related Article: 15 Foods That Help With Beard Growth [Backed By Science]
Will a patchy beard fill-in?
We know that having a patchy beard can be frustrating, but it doesn’t mean you won’t eventually get the thick and full beard you’re hoping for. It might fill in later, so waiting for the growth to catch up is a matter of waiting. This can take a few months, so you should just stick with your beard and give it time.
Your peach fuzz will eventually develop into a full-grown beard, but the time it takes for this to happen varies depending on your genetics. Once again, it all comes down to…genetics. If anyone in your family has a spotty beard or barely any facial hair, then you might experience the same thing.
On the other hand, if people in your family have thick beards, it should only take a few months to get a full beard.
If you’re really serious about trying to fill in your patchy areas, then we recommend starting out with the following supplements:
Vitamin C – Supports collagen, which is responsible for keeping skin healthy and strong so it can grow hair better. Some food rich in Vitamin C are oranges, strawberries, and spinach.
Vitamin A – Essential for hair growth and cell turnover and can help with a patchy beard. Some good sources of Vitamin A are sweet potato, carrots, and dark leafy greens such as kale.
Biotin – Can help improve your skin’s elasticity so that it becomes smoother and better able to stretch as new hairs begin to grow in. You can get Biotin from cauliflower, oatmeal, and eggs.
Zinc – Considered one of the top minerals for hair growth, zinc can help reduce inflammation and improve blood flow to your follicles so that they produce healthier hair. Foods high in Zinc are: beef, cashews, yogurt, oysters
Iron – Helps transport oxygen around the body which boosts chemical reactions essential for beard growth. Iron is found in red meat, lentils, beans, spinach, and broccoli.
Calcium – Aids in the production of keratin which gives your hair its strength and elasticity. You can get calcium from dairy products, green leafy vegetables, and tofu.
How to speed up beard growth?
We have already talked about some habits and lifestyle choices that may affect the speed at which your beard fills in. But here are some more tips that will help your beard grow out quicker.
Again, exercising, having a balanced diet, and sleeping well, will boost testosterone levels and allow you to grow your beard faster.
There are also some products and therapies that you can use to help you speed up the rate at which your beard grows. The products we recommend are:
Minoxidil – This topical medication is applied directly to scalp hair to stimulate new growth. It’s proven effective on facial hair, but no studies show it can help with beard growth.
Shampoos & Conditioners – If you want your beard hairs to grow out quickly, it’s important to use products that will help clean and soften your facial hair so it can be fuller and more manageable.
Beard Oil – As we mention in most of our articles, beard oils are great because they soften and condition your beard. This makes it more manageable and easier to groom. You should definitely use beard oil, especially if you have a full beard.
Microneedling – This is a painless procedure that involves rolling dozens of tiny needles over the surface of your skin. It stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, speeds up beard growth, helps fill in patchy beard areas, and covers scars and skin spots.
Hormone Therapy – This is a more permanent solution for beard growth that involves taking medications that will help regulate the hormones in your body. We don’t recommend this option because of the potential side effects involved.
Beard supplements – These are great because they contain nutrients and vitamins that can stimulate hair growth naturally over time. You should be really careful with these and choose the ones made with natural ingredients.
Will my beard fill in after 25?
The answer to this question is that no, it probably will not. If your beard hasn’t filled in till your early 20s when your testosterone levels are high, the chances of filling later are pretty thin.
This doesn’t mean you should throw in the towel! We have mentioned many ways to help you fill these patchy spots. You should test some of them and see what works for you.
Conclusion
We have covered a lot of ground in this article, and hopefully, the things we have mentioned will help you understand at what age your beard stop filling in and why. We also mentioned some ways like beard oil and micro-needling to help you speed up beard growth.
If you still have questions or have something interesting to say, then contact us in the comments and let us know what’s on your mind. We are always ready to help our readers!
Russell is the founder of themensattitude.com. He is a barber a beard enthusiast and he is obsessed with trying men’s lifestyle products and blog about them. If you have any questions you can hit him up via the contact page.
