How Long Does It Take To Grow A Mustache?

August 14, 2023 - Reviewed by: Dr. Jae Pak, M.D.

Most men have asked the question “how long does it take to grow a mustache?” at some point in their life. Unfortunately, this common question doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. Factors such as genetics, age, lifestyle, and health play a significant role in mustache growth.

Let’s delve into these factors and provide a few insights for how you can improve your facial hair growth.

What Is the Normal Growth Rate for a Mustache?

The growth rate of facial hair, including mustaches, varies widely from one individual to another. On average, human hair grows about half an inch per month. However, the rate for facial hair tends to be a bit slower, with an approximate range of 0.3 to 0.5 inches per month.

Therefore, to achieve a full-grown mustache, most individuals may expect to wait for around two to three months. However, this timeline is not set in stone. Several factors can influence the speed and density of mustache growth, including genetics, age, lifestyle habits, and overall health.

It’s essential to understand that each person’s experience of growing a mustache will be unique, and patience is crucial.

How Does Genetics Influence Mustache Growth?

Genetics play a significant role in determining how quickly and densely a mustache will grow. Men of different ethnic backgrounds often have varying characteristics of facial hair. For instance, men of Mediterranean descent typically have thicker and faster-growing facial hair than men of Asian or Native American ancestry.

Individual genetics also dictate the production of hormones like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which influence facial hair growth. Higher levels of these hormones generally lead to faster and denser facial hair growth, including mustaches. However, genetic factors are far from the whole picture and are certainly not something one can change.

Understanding your genetic predisposition can certainly be useful when you’re trying to grow a mustache. It can help set realistic expectations and allow you to better understand your hair growth patterns. However, regardless of your genetic makeup, several things within your control can optimize your mustache-growing potential.

Can Lifestyle Habits Impact the Speed of Mustache Growth?

Just as lifestyle habits can influence your overall health and wellbeing, they can also affect your hair growth, including your mustache.

Let’s explore a few of these in detail:

Protein: The food you consume can significantly impact your hair health. Hair, including facial hair, is primarily composed of protein. Therefore, a diet rich in lean proteins, like poultry, fish, eggs, and legumes, can promote healthier and potentially faster hair growth.
Vitamins: Certain vitamins, such as B vitamins (especially biotin), and vitamins A, C, and E, are essential for hair health. Regularly consuming foods rich in these nutrients, like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, can bolster your mustache growth efforts.
Hydration: Staying adequately hydrated is crucial for optimal bodily functions, including hair growth. Hydration ensures efficient transportation of nutrients to your hair follicles, contributing to healthier growth. Drinking ample water throughout the day keeps your body — and your mustache — well-nourished.
Exercise: Regular physical activity improves blood circulation, ensuring an adequate supply of nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles, fostering healthier hair growth. Whether it’s running, weightlifting, or yoga, a consistent workout routine can play a part in your mustache-growing journey.
Stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact various bodily functions, including hair growth. High stress levels can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle, potentially leading to hair thinning or loss. Stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, or engaging in relaxing hobbies can potentially improve hair health.
Smoking: Smoking is known to constrict blood vessels, hampering efficient nutrient and oxygen delivery to hair follicles. This constriction can stunt facial hair growth, including your mustache. Over time, chronic smoking might make it significantly more challenging to grow a robust mustache.
Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can cause dehydration and nutrient deficiencies, both of which can negatively impact hair health. High alcohol intake might also disrupt your body’s absorption of essential nutrients needed for hair growth. Moderation is key to preventing these adverse effects and fostering healthy mustache growth.

How Does Age Affect Mustache Growth?

Age is another significant factor influencing mustache growth. The natural aging process, hormonal shifts, and even genetic predispositions can all contribute to changes in hair growth over time.

Younger men, particularly those in their teens, may find that their mustache grows slower and is less dense. This is because hormonal changes during adolescence are still stabilizing. As they grow older and testosterone levels stabilize, the rate of facial hair growth typically increases, leading to a fuller mustache.

On the flip side, older men may notice a slowdown in mustache growth. This slowdown is primarily due to the natural aging process and a gradual decline in testosterone levels. In fact, after the age of 30, testosterone levels in men decrease by about 1% per year. This reduction might result in slower facial hair growth, including the mustache.

Additionally, some men may experience hair thinning or loss with age, which can also affect the density and appearance of the mustache.

Can Proper Grooming Techniques Promote Mustache Growth?

Proper grooming can not only enhance the appearance of your mustache but also potentially promote healthier growth.

Here are a few techniques:

Regular Trimming: While it may seem counterproductive, regular trimming can actually promote healthier and neater mustache growth. Trimming can help get rid of split ends and maintain a uniform length, making your mustache appear fuller.
Use of Oils/Balms: Quality beard oils and balms can nourish your mustache and the skin underneath. Ingredients like jojoba oil, argan oil, or coconut oil have beneficial effects on hair health and can help manage common issues like dryness or itchiness.
Styling Techniques: Learning to style your mustache can enhance its appearance. This could be particularly helpful if your mustache growth is uneven. Styling can help you conceal less dense areas effectively, giving the illusion of a fuller mustache.

Investing time and effort in your mustache grooming routine can help you grow a healthier mustache and provide an opportunity to become more in tune with your body and its needs. This can, in turn, enhance your mustache-growing journey.

Are There Medical Treatments That Can Boost Mustache Growth?

While lifestyle modifications and diligent grooming practices can enhance mustache growth, some individuals might consider seeking medical treatments to facilitate this process. At Jae Pak MD Medical, we recommend and provide scientifically-backed solutions such as oral finasteride and microneedling/microchanneling.

Oral finasteride, usually prescribed to treat hair loss on the scalp, may aid existing facial hair by prolonging the growth phase of hair follicles. Remember, though, that it’s not a magic bullet for regrowing lost hair and doesn’t work for everyone. Any decision to use such medication should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider to ensure it’s suitable for your specific needs.

Microneedling and microchanneling are two minimally invasive procedures that stimulate hair growth by inducing a healing response. They work by creating tiny punctures in the skin, which triggers the production of growth factors that stimulate the proliferation of hair cells.

What Are Some Expectations for Mustache Growth After a Hair Transplant?

For those with severe hair growth issues, considering a facial hair transplant for mustache growth might be an option. This procedure involves transplanting hair from a donor area to the mustache area.

Jae Pak MD Medical specializes in hair transplants and ensures a personalized approach to meet individual needs. Following a hair transplant, you can expect to see noticeable growth in six to nine months, with full growth often seen after a year.

It’s important to note that while a hair transplant can lead to lifelong growth in the transplanted area, natural hair loss may continue in other areas due to age and genetics. This process doesn’t prevent the natural progression of hair thinning or loss.

The Bottom Line

Growing a mustache is a journey, not a race. It requires patience and understanding of the various factors that influence hair growth, such as genetics, age, and lifestyle. Regular grooming and a healthy lifestyle can certainly promote a fuller, healthier mustache.

For those needing a little extra help, medical treatments like oral finasteride, microneedling, and microchanneling can be considered. Severe cases may benefit from advanced procedures like facial hair transplants offered at Jae Pak MD Medical.

Regardless of where you are in your mustache-growing journey, remember: each mustache is unique, just like the person sporting it. Embrace your individual growth pattern, and don’t hesitate to seek professional advice if needed. After all, growing a mustache is not just about the destination, but also about the journey.

Sources:

Anatomy, Hair – StatPearls | NCBI Bookshelf

Can’t Grow a Full Beard? There’s an Explanation for That | Cleveland Clinic

Relationship Between Plasma Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations and Male Facial Hair Growth | PMC

The Structure of People’s Hair | PMC

Does Exercise Affect Hair Growth? | Live Science

Lifestyle Factors Involved in the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata | PMC

Water and Healthier Drinks | Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity | CDC

The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review | PMC

A Dermatologist’s Top Tips for a Healthy Beard | American Academy of Dermatology

Role of Smoking in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review | PMC