While it’s certainly in style to sport a healthy man mane these days, there are still a ton of beard stereotypes floating around. You’ve read them online, seen the comments, and maybe even heard some of these stereotypes in your personal life. “Bearded guys are lazy.” “Beards are dirty.” “Beards are unattractive.” The list of negative stereotypes goes on and on, but today we’re going to shave those stereotypes right off, and we’re going against the grain.
“Bearded Guys Don’t Shave, They Must Be Lazy!”
Honestly, who is saying this? It makes no sense whatsoever. Think about it, your beard is actually a testament to how hard you work. You’ve dedicated time and energy into your beard to grow it and maintain it. Every morning you wake up and treat your beard to a wash and a healthy dose of butter, balm, or oil, and then you have to ensure your beard is styled perfectly throughout the day.
When you think about it, people who shave are the lazy ones.
“Eww, Look At That Beard It Must Be Dirty!”
Come on now. This stereotype simple makes no sense. Think about it, this is the same as going around saying that anyone with hair must be dirty. Have these people forgotten about shampoo and conditioner? Sure, we might not use the same products in our beards, but that’s for good reason! Our beards are as clean as they come, because beard wash is made specifically for keeping our face fuzz fresh, healthy, and clean.
Dirt, oil, and grit be damned, these stereotypers need to try harder.
“Imagine Kissing Anyone With a Beard Like That.”
While we can agree that in the early stages of stubble kissing may be a bit rough, this isn’t true for all beards all the time. Look, beards are soft, and if yours isn’t that’s why you treat it with products to help soften those wiry whiskers. Once everything softened up this stereotype has nothing to stand on.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia decided to explore male facial hair to determine what role, if any, beards play in sexual attractiveness, masculinity and relationships. The researchers found that bearded men consistently ranked higher than those who were clean shaven.
Don’t buy it? The guys in the pictures shown to potential suitors were all the same men only with different degrees of facial hair — take that variables!
“He Looks Like a Grandpa.”
A lot of people think beards make you look older, but it isn’t necessarily true. Sure, you’re going to look older with a beard based solely on the fact that boys can’t grow beards. The problem arises when people use this stereotype as a negative: you look so old. Not only is this ageist, but it’s inaccurate. Beards give men a distinguished look, sure, but beards can also look very youthful! A well kept, clean, healthy beard is strong,vigorous, and lively. Don’t let anyone tell you different.
The Untrimmed Truth
Beards are pretty amazing, I mean we wouldn’t dedicate our lives to Fresh Beards and you wouldn't be reading this if you didn’t agree. With some popular myths out of the way, let’s go over some of the lesser known facts about your face follicles.
Protection From the Elements
Did you know your beard actually serves as a great protection from the elements? That summer beard will protect your face from harmful sun rays, and your winter beard will protect your face from the frigid cold! The same beard will keep you safe through every season!
Protection From Infection
Didn’t mean to go all “Schoolhouse Rock” on you there, but it’s true your beard serves as fantastic protection from infection! A comprehensive study that examined swabs taken from 408 bearded hospital workers revealed that clean-shaven men were three times more likely to carry harmful bacteria on their faces!
Beards Save You Time
Did you know that a man who shaves will spend over 3,000 hours of his life in the bathroom? Yikes, we’d rather do anything else, thank you very much. Instead of shaving you can spend your time out there doing. If this isn’t proof that bearded men are more productive we don’t know what is.
So Long Stereotypes!
What people think about your beard doesn’t matter. What matters is how your beard makes you feel. If your beard gives you that feelings of strength, masculinity, power, determination, style, and class than you’re doing it right. There’s really only one thing that matters: staying fresh and enjoying life.
