Healthy Reasons to Join the ‘Beard Gang’ By Damilola Ojenike

Today, growing a beard is common among the average Nigerian youth, middle aged and even aged men. It has become a trend among young men, not minding its origin or when it started; many people are now seen sporting different styles of beards.

A beard is a collection of facial hair that grows on the chin and cheeks of humans and some animals. In humans, only adolescent or adult males are able to grow beards. However, it is not unusual to see females spiting facial hairs.

Just like every fashion, growing beards is not without its ups and downs depending on genes; a beard can usually takes 2 to 8 months to grow, depending on the desire. There are different types of beards – like the chin strap, full beard, extreme beard, goatee and hipster.

As a dominant fashion, it‘s like a hurricane when it’s on, no one does stop it. Religious trend too make people grow beards. Remember Leviticus 21:5 (kjv) which reads ‘they shall not make any holdness on their heads, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beards, nor make any cuts in their flesh.

Also in Islam, growing a beard is encouraged. Beards are natural to humanity, let no one cut them off when they grow.

New research made from a random sample of ladies favour a bearded guy. At least 85 per cent of ladies love a bearded guy with also neatness attached to it. About 10 per cent are of the notion that it must be moderate, not the fully overgrown beard and that they must be neatly kept. The remaining 5 per cent does not like it, due to the understanding that it itches them whenever they want to kiss their partner. Overall, it shows that women find bearded men more attractive.

Though beards could be itchy and very hard to maintain, the merits outweigh the demerits. Having a beard is not only stylish, it has health benefits. Here are some reasons why as a guy you should keep beards:

Beards protect your face from the sun: The more your face is exposed to the sun, the more likely you become susceptible to sunburn, wrinkle and skin cancer, especially in hot weather.

Beards help fight cold: Beard can actually raise the temperature of the skin providing warmth and helping the body fight viruses.

Beards keep guys warm: Surprisingly, facial hair can act as a natural form of protection against cold. Beards keep the face warm and stance uncomfortable dryness.

Facial hair slows the aging process: Beards can make a young man look older. Ironically, it gives the skin a younger look. This is because facial hair prevents water from running off the skin, keeping it moisturised and maintaining a protective barrier on the surface.

Beards prevent Asthma attacks: Those with serious asthma problem know that pollen and dust can be silent killers. But beards that go north of the mouth and into the nasal area can actually prevent allergens from entering the nose and lungs according to Dr Felix Chua, a respiratory physician at Harley street, a London based health clinic.

Meanwhile, with beard transplants and beard creams rising, the ‘beards gang movement’ still soaring, phrases like “go beard or go home” are going viral, hence the beard fashion may not be leaving the fashion scene soon. Jesus Christ had a beard, even Santa Claus has beards. The executive governor of the State of Osun grows a beard, just like the nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has beards.

Join the ‘beard gang’ today.