For FTM individuals, growing facial hair is one of the most exciting aspects of the transitioning experience. The feeling of finally sprouting hair after months of waiting is one that many FTM patients look forward to, but that’s just the beginning.
Where many trans men struggle, however, is growing a fuller beard with a higher degree of density and greater coverage across all areas of the face. It’s common to see more sparsely populated facial hair on the chin, upper lip, and cheeks, but the thick and masculine beard look is more difficult to attain.
It makes sense that beard growth is one of the more talked-about topics in the FTM community, and that’s exactly why we’re listing ways to increase facial hair growth for FTM individuals today.
We’ve done our best to list these tips in order of effort, cost, and permanence, so that you can start with a smaller investment of resources and work your way up as your facial hair develops.
Also, keep in mind that FTM beard growth can be achieved by skipping any of these steps and creating a custom plan for yourself with the guidance of a hair restoration pro — like Dr. Jae Pak, M.D. — and other medical experts supporting you.
With these tips in your toolbox, you’ll accelerate beard growth, boost the quality of the facial hair, and keep it long-term.
Let’s get started.
Beard growth is ultimately a waiting game, and patience is the key to winning no matter who you are. Even cis men often struggle to grow a full, dense beard well into their 20s, depending on genetic and environmental factors.
Therefore, FTM individuals should try not to stress too much about the growth rate of their facial hair, especially in the first few months of jumping on testosterone. In fact, most FTM folks do not even see hair begin to see consistent beard growth until the six-month mark, while others take up to a year to see progress.
The lesson here is that patience will pay off if you stick with it and employ these other tips. In the meantime, be sure to monitor any facial hair development, however small. This will keep you motivated and remind you that progress is taking place.
As an FTM person, you’re likely in close contact with various specialists guiding you through hormone replacement therapy and other physical and mental requirements.
Therefore, it’s worth mentioning any concerns or goals related to facial hair growth with these professionals to make them aware of your priorities. If you clarify your ambitions to grow facial hair as part of your masculinization process (this isn’t the case for everyone), then your doctors and therapists will do what they can to help you achieve that.
This might mean altering your dosages or the types of hormones you take, or you might be advised to take a new approach to HRT that you hadn’t considered before. The point is that your team is there to help you, so lean on them for support in your efforts to grow facial hair.
A healthy male body is more likely to express masculine traits like muscle development, a deep voice, and hair on the body and face. The same is true for FTM individuals, so this is the perfect opportunity to make some lifestyle adjustments and take on healthy habits to give your beard the best chance for growth.
Positive lifestyle changes can include establishing a daily exercise regimen, cleaning up your diet and focusing on whole foods, and leaving behind bad habits that take away from your physical or mental health.
When these efforts are combined, you’ll find that you have a brighter outlook on life, and your body may respond by producing more healthy hormones that promote beard growth and other positive results.
You’ll discover plenty of natural supplements in your journey to grow a full beard, some of which can work and others that won’t do much. Since these supplements are mostly unregulated and lack clinical support, it takes a bit of trial and error to discover the best stack for your needs.
One product to consider is collagen, which comes in capsule or powder form and provides noticeable improvements to skin, hair, and nails. Collagen can also help heal the gut and allow for better nutrient absorption, which helps all the systems of the body.
This tip may not directly stimulate beard growth for FTM patients, but it does teach an important lesson about working with the available hair you have. Depending on your genetics and HRT strategy, it may be years before you have the level of facial hair coverage you want, so in the meantime, get comfortable styling your facial hair in different ways that make you look and feel great.
Many FTM patients start by growing hair in a goatee formation with a small mustache and hair on the chin. Others may see some growth on the lower cheeks that can be close-cropped to create some classic stubble.
The key is experimentation, and as you get more confident with your grooming capabilities, you’ll find it easier to try different styles and have a broader repertoire to choose from when your beard finally reaches 100 percent.
Many beard oils have come to market in recent years, making claims about promoting blood flow and helping preserve the natural shine of facial hair. While many of these claims may be unsupported by studies, this doesn’t mean you should skip beard oils since they’re low risk and may indeed yield results.
Peppermint and tea tree oils are two of the more well-known beard oils from powerhouse plants, but there are hundreds of variations available that you can try out for yourself. You’ll also find proprietary blends from companies that include a range of different ingredients, so keep on the lookout for products with good reviews and testimonials from real users.
We mentioned trying different beard styles before, but this tip is more about the practical grooming steps that can help your facial hair grow.
As you’ll discover soon, a beard grooming routine isn’t just about making your facial hair look good for the day ahead, but it’s also key to promoting growth and maintaining the health of your beard for the long term.
Clipping, shaving, moisturizing, and adding oils as part of your daily routine may help your facial hair become the best it can be.
While it might be a myth that shaving directly increases beard growth, you can set yourself up for success by sticking to a plan and following through with consistency. Beard brushing is another tactic you may want to employ when your facial hair reaches a certain length, as this can take your beard to the next level with direct stimulation.
You might wonder about the hype if you’ve seen those large metal helmets worn by people for scalp hair growth. These are low-level infrared light devices that provide a number of benefits to skin and hair at a cellular level, boosting energy within cells and creating conditions for stimulated growth over time.
You can find this type of therapy at cosmetics clinics across the country, and even many tanning salons offer red-light beds where you can lie down for complete body enhancement. So far, studies show that this is truly a miracle treatment for everything from acne and inflammation to hair growth and mood-boosting.
The treatment is low risk and relatively low cost, so consider adding it to your regimen if you want to maximize the potential of your facial hair as an FTM person.
The power of microdermabrasion has been well documented in recent years. Now that the technique is practiced widely in salons and clinics, it’s now more accessible and effective than ever.
This technique is based on the premise that tiny punctures in the skin stimulate growth factors, including enzymes and collagen, allowing your hair to grow faster and more fully. Whether you opt for a DIY roller at home or try professional microchanneling at a clinic, you can see some major benefits by adding this to your lineup.
We offer microchanneling at Jae Pak MD Medical so that you can achieve real and effective results.
Taking oral finasteride may help you achieve healthier hair on your scalp and face. However, it is essential to note that finasteride can only be helpful with existing hair and may not benefit already-lost hair.
Surgery should never be your first option for achieving beard growth, but if you’ve already tried all the other suggestions on this list and need a final boost, a beard transplant can be extremely effective.
This procedure is accomplished through harvesting hair from the back of the patient’s head and grafting individual follicle units to the target area of the face in an aesthetic formation. Beard transplants have advanced quickly in recent years, with high patient satisfaction and permanence rates.
However, these can be costly procedures, and results won’t appear right away. That’s why you should work closely with an experienced surgeon and always explore your options before committing to this type of surgery.
As someone setting out on the path to transition from FTM, you’ve got a huge range of beard-boosting options on the table. Be sure to connect with a hair restoration expert with a proven track record with transgender patients, and you’ll be on the way to having your ideal beard before you know it.
Sources:
Facial Hair Transplantation for Trans Patients | NIH
Can’t Grow a Full Beard? There’s an Explanation for That | Cleveland Clinic
Finasteride (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names | Mayo Clinic
Speak with Jae Pak, M.D. today!
Request a Consultation