5 Signs your Beard is Damaged

You’ve heard me say this many times before: Your beard is a statement. And that statement depends on the status of your strands. So ask yourself, “Is my beard healthy? Or is my beard damaged?” To help you figure out where you stand, I’ve put together a checklist of qualities to look for.

Let’s start with the qualities of a damaged beard (and what you can do about it).

Your beard is damaged if...

It’s frizzy

Frizziness occurs when there’s a lot of static going on and your beard isn’t laying the way it’s supposed to lay. This can be especially annoying because it feels like your beard strands are all over the place. 

Taking a closer look at what’s going on — frizziness is the result of roughness on the outermost layer of the hair (called the cuticle). A dry, rough cuticle resorts to pulling in moisture from the surrounding air, causing it to swell and become frizzy.

To nip that frizz in the bud, invest in a deep conditioning treatment. This will nourish the hair cuticle, keeping it smooth.

It’s dull

If your beard is dull, meaning its color has lost its richness, then it’s time for a little tune-up! Dullness arises when the hair is so dry that it becomes matted, losing its shine and richness. In this case, you want to ensure that your beard is getting proper hydration — bringing me to my next point.

It’s dry

If your beard is dry, it isn’t getting enough moisture and/or retaining moisture. To make sure that your hair is doing both, use a hydrator and a weekly deep conditioning treatment. You’ll also reduce breakage in the process.

It’s knotted

If you have curly hair, then you’ve likely experienced knotting at some point! A knot is caused when two individual strands wrap around one another. This is a sign of cuticle damage. Things that help: a beard trim and a satin or silk pillowcase. With a beard trim, you’re essentially getting rid of the ends, which as we know, are more likely to be damaged than the hair closer to the roots. 

The satin or silk pillowcase isn’t a luxury just for the heck of it. Cotton causes too much friction, resulting in knots. On the other hand, satin and silk help your beard glide across the surface as you sleep.

It’s difficult to comb

Ow!!! If that’s what you sound like when you’re combing your beard, then you definitely need to inject more moisture and hydration into your routine. As with most beard dilemmas, painful detangling can be fixed with a quality hydrator and conditioner. Trust me when I say that duo will make the detangling process a whole lot easier. 

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s take a look at the second bucket: qualities of a healthy, thriving beard! 

Your beard is healthy if...

It’s shiny

This one can be tricky because, hey, if you throw enough beard oil on there, it’s going to be shiny for a least a little bit. However, that’s the difference between real gold and fake gold. What you want is true, lasting shine. When the hair cuticle is healthy, it lies flat on the hair shaft and reflects light. Our eyes perceive that as shine. Again, proper hydration is key to a healthy cuticle. 

It’s rich in color

You want your beard so rich in color that people ask you if you dye your beard. You’ll respond, “No, I don’t dye my beard...I just take care of it!” 

It’s soft

Most of the time when a significant other says to shave your beard off, it has a lot to do with how your beard feels. No one wants to feel prickliness or irritation. Soft strands are quenched strands, period. Hydrate and condition.

It’s strong

How strong is your beard? And what I really mean by that is: How elastic is your beard? 

A strong beard has elasticity, which is its ability to return to its normal shape without breaking. Ask yourself, “Is it elastic, or is it hard like plastic?”

Instill a beard care regimen that uses a combination of high-quality products to strengthen your beard strands and reduce breakage. To take the guesswork out of picking the right components, check out one of our beard kits. 

It smells amazing

Gentlemen, sometimes the most obvious one can slip under the radar! Make sure your beard smells amazing! The best practice here is to shampoo your beard once or twice a week in order to keep it smelling clean and fresh. Don’t forget to moisturize. 

Final note

Leave a comment, letting us know if you’re in the damaged bucket or the healthy bucket. Just so you know, it is

possible to be in both! 

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Here are some products I recommend to get your beard back on track: