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                                                Michael
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                                                Bearded since: 1973. I am a dedicated, permanent beard grower. 
 
Comments: 
I have been shaving since I was 12, and grew my first beard when I was 16. I would have kept it, but the principal of the school I was attending said that if I didn't shave it off, I wouldn't graduate. I had no choice, but soon after graduation, I grew it back. Four inches is the longest I let it grow and it was surprisingly wavy and would get a red cast to it during the summer. As I get older, I prefer to have it relatively short. My beard is an integral part of my self image. I truly enjoy having it.  
 
Also be sure to see Michael's extraordinary beard history.
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