Winter Beard

[mmbcastle]

Hey. I was wondering how widespread this is.

I used to stop shaving for the Winter on my brithday in October. Partly because I wanted some insulation on my face, and partly because my beard starts growing very quickly in the Fall and Winter. At the end of the day, I could shave again.

Does this happen to a lot of people? I know some of you are in the Southern Hemisphere. I assume you would get the effect more in the early months of the year (my Spring), but it would be interesting to hear if it was the reverse.

 

[Niles]

I'm in the Northern Hemisphere and I enjoy growing a beard for the cooler months- but anytime during the year, really.

 

[August West]

This was a regular practice of mine for years here in Upstate NY. I have not done it in two years since I have gobs of shaving stuff to use up.

 

[Toothpick]

Working on my beard right now. Just conditioned it and gave it a good combing.
I wouldn't say I'm going it because it's winter though but just because I can and I want to.

 

[ByMyBeard]

I grew a winter beard about 4 years ago, it just hasn't been shaved off yet.

 

[BigKev77]

Well, they say a man produces more testosterone in warm weather and less in cold so that would lead me to believe one would grow facial hair faster in the summer. Mine seems pretty steady though summer or winter.

 

[MrLara]

Growing it out right now. Not shaving or trimming it, because of novembeard. But once it's over i'll clean it up and, use a SE to shave the edges.

My wife doesn't like me to be clean shaven, so i always keep a full goatee (van dyke) or a short boxed beard.

 

[Kilroy6644]

My old job didn't allow me to have any facial hair except a mustache. Now that I have no such restrictions, and live in Northern Michigan, I'm doing the winter beard. I'm a month in, and it's driving me nuts not shaving as much as I'm used to.

 

[August West]

My wife doesn't like me to be clean shaven, so i always keep a full goatee (van dyke) or a short boxed beard.

+1

 

[mmbcastle]

Nice discussion on the general "Winter Beard" concept.

I should have worded it better. I was wondering if anyone else noticed their beard growing more quickly during the Winter.

Well, they say a man produces more testosterone in warm weather and less in cold so that would lead me to believe one would grow facial hair faster in the summer. Mine seems pretty steady though summer or winter.

Since they say testosterone (or one form/byproduct of it) is a culprit in "male pattern baldness", that could actually tie in.

 

[August West]

I did it to put a layer between my face and the cold Northern Winter winds. I never thought much about growth rates relative to seasons. I will have to start a journal and get out the calipers to record the growth on my Van Dyke throughout the year.

 

[Purplemonkey]

I'm about 1 month into my winter beard. I grow one occasionally, but this is the first time I've managed to convince SWMBO to let me keep one.

 

[HerrWalters]

I had one last year that was really convenient when I went cross country skiing. However, this year I am going to be looking for work, so I am going to keep the squirrel tail trimmed.

 

[PugslyCat]

I haven't noticed any change in beard growth with the seasons, but it's much more comfortable starting a beard in cooler weather. Don't ever start a beard in May and June. Trust me. It will itch like crazy.

My face is normally clean shaven, maybe except a mustache, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. I grow a full beard from Thanksgiving until Easter. Usually I'll do a van dyke between those phases, but not always.

Many animals grow a longer coat during the winter, so I wouldn't be surprised if people don't do the same.