How to Grow a Beard: Tips, Products & What to Expect
Growing a beard is straightforward in theory. You stop shaving and wait. In practice, most men give up somewhere between week two and week six when the growth looks patchy, feels itchy, and seems to have no clear direction. The difference between men who push through and those who don't usually comes down to knowing what to expect and having the right products to manage the process.
Here's what you need to know.
What to Expect: The Stages of Beard Growth
Weeks 1 to 2: Stubble Growth is visible but uneven. Some areas fill in faster than others, which is completely normal and not a sign of how your beard will eventually look. Resist the urge to trim or shape at this stage. The itch that kicks in around day 5 to 10 is caused by the sharp edges of newly cut hairs irritating the skin, not the beard itself. It passes.
Weeks 3 to 6: The Awkward Phase This is where most men quit. Growth is patchy, the beard looks unfinished, and it's tempting to shave it all off. Don't. The awkward phase is temporary. It's a transitional stage, not a preview of your final result. Many areas that look sparse at week 3 will fill in significantly by week 8 to 12.
Weeks 6 to 12: Taking Shape Growth starts to even out and your beard's natural pattern becomes clearer. This is the point where light shaping of the neckline and cheek lines makes sense. A well-defined neckline makes even a patchy beard look intentional and well-groomed.
Beyond 12 weeks: Your beard By this point you have a clear picture of what your beard is capable of. Genetics play the biggest role in density and pattern. If your beard is naturally sparse in certain areas, that's not a failure, it's just your beard. Work with it rather than against it.
Products That Actually Help
Beard Oil
The single most useful product during beard growth. Applied daily to a clean, slightly damp beard, it moisturises the skin underneath, which eliminates the itch, and conditions the hair as it grows, keeping it softer and more manageable.
Start using it from week one, not week six. The earlier you introduce it, the more comfortable the growth process will be.
Our pick: Beard & Blade Beard Oil Cedar Valley 30ml Our bestselling beard oil. Australian made, lightweight, and fast-absorbing. Works well from the earliest stages of growth right through to a full beard. See our full guide to the best beard oils in Australia for more options.
Beard Wash
A clean beard is a healthy beard. Regular shampooing with a dedicated beard wash removes product buildup, dead skin cells and environmental grime without stripping the natural oils that keep your beard and skin healthy. Wash two to three times a week. Daily washing is usually too frequent for most skin types.
Our pick: Beard & Blade Beard Wash A gentle, conditioning formula that cleanses without drying. Use it in the shower before applying beard oil.
Beard Roller
A derma roller used on the beard area stimulates blood circulation and can improve nutrient delivery to hair follicles, which may support growth in thinner areas. Used once or twice a week on clean, dry skin, it's a low-risk addition to your routine if you're looking to maximise growth potential.
Our pick: Beard & Blade Hair Growth Roller Fitted with 540 titanium needles that create micro-injuries on the skin's surface, prompting your body's natural healing response and stimulating dormant hair follicles. Use once or twice a week on clean, dry skin for best results.
Hair Health Supplements
Biotin, vitamin E, saw palmetto and omega-3 fatty acids all play a role in hair growth. If your diet is lacking in these nutrients, a targeted supplement can make a meaningful difference to growth rate and density over time. Results take at least three months of consistent use.
Our pick: Beard & Blade Hair Health+ Tablets Formulated with Saw Palmetto, Biotin and Iodine to support healthy hair growth from within.
How to Handle Patchiness
Patchiness is the most common concern for men growing a beard and the most common reason men give up. A few things worth knowing:
Give it time. Many patches fill in between weeks 6 and 16 as slower-growing hairs catch up. What looks sparse at week 4 often looks substantially fuller by week 12.
Keep it clean and conditioned. Beard oil and beard wash don't grow hair where follicles don't exist, but they do maximise the health and appearance of the hair you have, which makes patches less obvious.
Consider minoxidil. If patchiness is significant and persists beyond 12 weeks, topical minoxidil applied to the affected areas has strong clinical evidence for stimulating follicle activity. It's the same product used for scalp hair loss, and it works on beard growth too. See our minoxidil product page for more detail.
Work with your growth pattern. Some beard styles suit sparser growth better than others. A well-groomed shorter beard often looks better than a longer, patchy one.
Maintaining Your Neckline During Growth
Even during the grow-out phase, a defined neckline makes your beard look deliberate rather than accidental. The neckline should sit roughly two finger widths above your Adam's apple. Keep it clean with a razor or trimmer, but leave everything above it alone until you've reached your target length.
The Bottom Line
Growing a beard takes patience. Most men need at least 12 weeks before they have a true picture of what their beard will look like. The awkward phase is real but temporary. The best thing you can do during growth is keep the beard clean, use beard oil daily, and resist the urge to shave it off before it's had a chance to develop.
Browse our full range of beard care products at Beard & Blade. Free delivery Australia wide.
