Many men would like to grow a handsome beard or mustache. But a thick beard may be not part of your genetic makeup. Still, you can improve the growth and thickness of your facial hair following some simple routines. Most of these tips here are based on natural ways; if they don't work as well as you would like, you may try medical procedures. However, bear in mind that you can’t get facial hair overnight. Be patient before making extreme decisions.

How to Grow Facial Hair

1. Clean and Moisturize Your Face

Buildup of dirt, dead skin and oil can interfere with growth of facial hair by blocking the hair follicles. By keeping your face clean and moist, you can improve growth of your facial hair.

• Keep your face clean by washing it with warm water and facial cleanser at least two times per day. Use a gentle cleanser instead of soap which is harsh on your facial skin.
• Clean your face any time it gets dirty, sweaty or oily during the day.
• In case you get an itch or rash when your facial hair grows, clean your face using an antidandruff shampoo two or three times per week. This will relieve irritation.
• Once per week, use an exfoliating facial cleanser to remove dead skin cells from your face.
• Whenever you wash your face, moisturize it using a facial lotion. This will ensure that it remains hydrated and also prevent buildup of dead skin cells in the hair follicles.

2. Avoid Shaving

A popular myth is that shaving stimulates follicles so that hair grows faster. But this is not true. While hair may grow faster soon after shaving, the growth rate slows soon after. In order for you to get thicker facial hair, it makes sense to avoid shaving.

Still, be ready for a rough initial appearance as your facial hair begins to grow longer. For this reason, you may time this to coincide with a time when you don’t have formal engagements.

3. Massage Your Face to Stimulate Hair Follicles

This may seem far-fetched, but regular facial massage can stimulate your hair follicles so that your beard grows faster and even thicker.

In circular motions, massage the areas you want to stimulate faster hair growth for about 15 minutes in the morning and again in the evening.

4. Get Adequate Sleep

Inadequate sleep can have an adverse effect on many functions in your body including the growth of facial hair. It is during sleep that the body replaces dead cells. Hair is also known to grow more during sleep. Grow a habit of sleeping for at least 6 hours every night. Eight hours is even better.

5. Regularly Exercise

You might not know, but regular exercise is another way how to grow facial hair.

When exercising, your heart pumps faster which helps blood to get to all parts of your body, including your face. This takes the necessary nutrients to the root of your hair, which enables hair to grow faster.

Choose aerobic exercises to keep your heart beating faster for 15 to 30 minutes per day. If you don’t have time for exercise, walking or jogging for at least 30 minutes can also help.

6. Eat Enough Protein and Saturated Fat

Eating adequate protein and fat supports overall health. They also provide nutrients for hair growth.

• Your strands of hair are made up of protein and they shine due to a coating of oils and fats. Oils are also necessary for the production of testosterone hormone which is also necessary for hair growth.
• Eat more fish and beans which are healthy protein foods and see an improvement in the growth of your beard and mustache.
• You can also get protein and fat from eggs and meat.

7. Consume More B-Complex Vitamins

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is important in hair growth. Other important B-vitamins in hair growth include B3, B5 and B9.

• Eat more nuts and occasional egg yolk to get biotin. You can also take B-complex supplements.
• For vitamins B3 and B5, eat chicken, fish, beef, egg yolk, milk, avocado and whole grain.
• Nuts, cereals and leafy green vegetables will provide folic acid (vitamin B9).

8. Eat Foods Rich in Vitamins A, C and E

A good balance of the three vitamins is a necessity in how to grow facial hair.

• Vitamin A is necessary for healthy hair follicles and sebum. Foods rich in vitamin A include broccoli, carrots and other green vegetables.
• To boost your immune system, you need adequate amounts of vitamin C. Rich vitamin C sources include citrus fruits, tomatoes, green peppers, and dark green leafy vegetables.
• Vitamin E helps maintain good blood circulation. Rich sources of vitamin E include nuts, beans and green vegetables.

9. Minoxidil

This is yet another way to grow facial hair. Here’s how to do it:

• Once you buy a can of minoxidil, place it in an upside-down position. Squeeze some foam into your palm and massage it into the parts of your face where you want to grow hair.
• You will normally need to use about half a cap of the foam twice daily. Ensure you read the instructions before applying minoxidil. Additionally, be sure to consult your doctor before using minoxidil to your face.

10. Monitor Your Testosterone Levels

If your facial hair doesn’t grow easily, your testosterone levels may be the reason. Get tested to find out if you have normal testosterone level.

• If your testosterone level is inadequate, your doctor can prescribe injection, topical or oral testosterone. Note that oral testosterone may cause liver damage and is therefore not recommended.
• Bearing in mind that too much testosterone can inhibit growth of facial hair.
• Be patient as treatment can take up to a year before you see the results.

11. Consult a Plastic Surgeon

In case you want to get facial hair desperately, you can consult a plastic surgeon who can transplant hair follicles from another part of the body to the face. Hair follicle transplantation will normally be done without need for admission. Minor skin irritation may follow for a few days after the procedure.

You will still need to be patient as it may take up to one year before you get thick hair on your face following transplantation.

12. More Tips

While you are likely to benefit from one of the above ways how to grow facial hair, here are more tips to ensure that you are not sabotaging your efforts:

• Quit smoking because smoking compromises your immunity which can interfere with the growth of your facial hair.
• Avoid sweets. Sugar can weaken your hair and reduce speed of growth of new facial hair.
• Keep your body well hydrated. Water is necessary for many functions in the body, including growing facial hair. It is recommended that you drink around eight glasses of water daily.