Tag Archives: men’s health

beard care and grooming

Healthy Man, Healthy Beard: Men’s Health Month

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Men’s Health Month is June. It’s true! In addition, Men’s Health Week happens during June in the United States over the seven days up to and including Father’s Day. Men’s Health Week was signed into U.S. law on May 31, 1994, designating June 12 through 19, 1994, as National Men’s Health Week. Men’s Health Week has been observed ever since while expanding internationally and growing to encompass all of June as Men’s Health Month. According to the Men’s Health Network: “Men’s Health Month (June) is an annual awareness period designed to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems (mental and physical) and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.”

As this June comes to a close, it’s a good time to stop and and take stock of your physical and mental well-being. Strongly consider following up with your healthcare provider on any questions or concerns you may have or just to get an overdue checkup. Whether you are in the northern hemisphere heading into summer or in the southern hemisphere proceeding with winter, be sure to continue to make your health a top priority.

Whatever the season, if you’re a healthy man your beard should be healthy, too. Let’s look at a few ways to take care of yourself, including your beard and hair, no matter what kind of weather is headed your way.

Start up a hair routine

Healthy man, healthy beard: start up a hair routine to make your hair and beard look their best
Start up a hair routine to keep your hair and beard looking their best. Beard: Vincent.

Establishing a hair routine can help make hair care a familiar process that becomes a habit. You know that men need to give their hair and beards proper care and attention to look their best. Ranging from beard grooming and choosing the right beard style to finding the best hairstyle to go with your face’s shape, you have nearly unlimited options for creating your greatest masculine look. Keep your hair looking its best by using a good quality shampoo and conditioner. And maintain your beard in top condition by keeping it clean with regular washing while using an appropriate shampoo and conditioner as needed. Brushing or combing your sparkling clean beard will have it looking neat and sharp. Optionally apply some beard oil for a finishing touch. These simple steps are a great start for your hair care routine.

If you are among the many men who experience male pattern baldness, your hair routine may include using treatments to slow, halt, or even reverse the loss of hair. Called androgenic alopecia, male pattern baldness is hereditary and progresses with age. However it can be treated with the use of hair loss products. Early intervention and consistent treatment typically offer the best opportunity for positive results.

Improve your diet

Healthy man, healthy beard: improve your diet and improve your health, hair and beard
Improve your diet and improve your overall health and that of your hair and beard, too. Beard: Richard.

If your current diet isn’t the greatest, this is a good time to look into making some improvements. Set yourself up for success with a plan to keep healthier foods on hand and leave more of the unhealthy choices back on the supermarket shelves. A healthy diet is a key component of an overall strategy to make you a healthy man with a healthy beard. Making better food choices brings a number of health benefits, including having more energy, feeling better, and even improving the quality of your hair.

You can start improving your diet by minimizing the amount of processed foods you eat. Eliminate or greatly reduce other unhealthy food choices by replacing them with healthy foods that you like. Don’t forget to include food choices that improve the health of your hair. Be sure that your diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. These are familiar healthy options. Improving your diet is an important part of improving your overall health. You’ll feel better and look better. And you will feel better about yourself, which can give your mental health a boost as well.

Embrace exercise

Healthy man, healthy beard: Add exercise to your daily routine to improve your overall well-being.
Add exercise to your daily routine to improve your overall health and well-being. Cycling is a great choice for exercise. Beard: Brian.

Like improving your diet, adding physical exercise to your daily routine can provide you with a lot of health benefits. Yes, you should check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program. It’s important to select an exercise program that’s appropriate for your age and current physical condition. Options include gentle activities such as yoga, cardiovascular training to get your heart pumping and blood flowing, and weight training to build strength. Walking, cycling, and swimming are great exercise choices that are easier on your joints than higher-impact activities such as running. Examples of age-appropriate options include exercise programs for middle-aged men.

Exercise can even lead to healthier hair growth. Get moving with cardiovascular exercise to keep your heart and veins in great shape. In turn, this improves your blood circulation which benefits your skin and hair.

Healthy man, healthy beard: Start up a hair routine, improve your diet, and add exercise to each day.
Healthy man, healthy beard: Start up a hair routine, improve your diet, and add exercise to each day and you’ll be on your way to being a healthy man with a healthy beard. Beard: Brian.

Now is a great time to act on Men’s Health Month’s message to pay attention to your health and take steps to improve it. Starting up a proper hair routine will get your hair and beard looking their best. Improving your diet brings great health benefits, physical and mental, and can improve the health of your hair. Making exercise a part of your everyday life provides even more health benefits and can indirectly improve the health of your hair. Take these steps and you can be well on your way to being a healthy man with a healthy beard!

growing a beard

No-Shave November: more than an opportunity to grow your beard

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Last updated: November 1, 2023

It’s November. Make that No-Shave November.  In the United States, Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is fast approaching.  No matter where you are, 2019 is nearing its end.  The next couple of months are a favorite time of year for many thanks to the holidays and traditions of time spent with family, surrounded by laughter and good food. It’s also when No-Shave November rolls around.

Now is the time when we can all get on board to help raise awareness for men’s health, including men who are battling cancer along with the common side effect of hair loss associated with their treatments. No-Shave November is a great way for us to join together, similar to American Heart Month and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in February and October, to support those living with illness.

What is No-Shave November?

A lot of guys may not be aware of what No-Shave November is really about. Some see it as an opportunity to save time each day by not shaving and maybe gaining a little extra sleep every morning. Others  just think November is a month to let their beards grow because the weather might be getting colder.  Or they might see it now as the traditional month to start growing a new beard.

Of course No-Shave November offers the perfect excuse for growing a new beard.  But the real purpose of No-Shave November is to support men fighting prostate and testicular cancer and to prevent men’s suicide.  No-Shave November means raising awareness about men’s health and the importance of early detection and prevention. To do this, men are encouraged to grow out their facial hair as a symbol of support and donate the regular costs of grooming to the cause.

No-Shave November: more than a beard, featured image 2 -- Chris

Why is it important?

Men’s health is often brushed aside. But the causes that No-Shave November support are important concerns for all men.

Prostate cancer begins in the prostate gland where it may grow slowly or it may grow aggressively and spread quickly to other organs and tissues. About one in nine men will be diagnosed with this disease in their lifetimes, making it one of the most common cancers for men. Early detection is key for the best treatment outcomes.

The Mayo Clinic classifies testicular cancer as being relatively rare. Yet it is the most common cancer for American men between the ages of 15 and 35. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor to see if you should give yourself regular testicular self-exams to aid in early detection.

No-shave November men's suicide prevention: crisis counseling sign
Never let suicidal thoughts overtake you. There is always hope and there is always help, even if you feel that there is none. Resources are available. Please reach out to someone for help.

Men’s suicide rates are alarmingly high.  It’s a disturbing crisis that is difficult for many to acknowledge. Reports indicate that women are more likely to think about suicide while men are more likely to carry it out.  Recent data revealed that men died by suicide 3.5 times more often than women. If someone you know is in crisis, reach out to help connect them with resources to prevent a potential tragedy.  In the United States if you are in crisis, or know someone who is, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline anytime, 24/7, at 988. In other countries, please seek out appropriate suicide-prevention resources.

What if you can’t grow a beard?

Growing a beard fit for a lumberjack isn’t always realistic. Some guys have never been able to grow one. If that’s you, don’t worry. The lack of ability to grow a beard is genetic and you just can’t help it.

One way you might participate in No-Shave November is by letting the rest of your hair grow for the month.  For some, that option presents its own challenge.  As we get older, it can get harder to grow our hair like when we were younger.  And even young guys may experience male pattern baldness much earlier than they might have ever expected. Unlike the inability to improve beard thickness, you can treat hair loss, if it’s right for you, with a doctor’s prescription for male pattern baldness. This could help you show your support for the No-Shave November movement without having to stress about lacking the genetics for beard-growing.

Another way to participate in No-Shave November if you cannot grow your own beard is to suggest to beard-capable men that they grow their beards.  Encourage them to grow and support No-Shave November themselves.

What if you already have a beard?

If you’ve already got a beard and are a pro at beard growing, don’t scoff at No-Shave November as “amateur beard month”.  Encourage all the first-time beard growers out there and welcome them as newcomers to the bearded brotherhood.

Not a necessity, but a way to make a big statement would be to shave your beard and start growing again.  You can think of it like that old saying which states that the only reason to shave off your beard is to experience the pleasure of growing it out again.

No-Shave November: more than a beard - photo of John's beard
Bearded already? Give encouragement to the rookie beard growers and recruit others to grow their beards for No-Shave November!

Even if you’re already fully bearded and opt not to shave and regrow, you can participate in No-Shave November by reminding everyone that it’s all about raising awareness about men’s health issues.  Amplify your participation by recruiting others to participate  as well.

How can you support the cause?

Be a leader. Don’t be afraid to keep the conversation going around these significant men’s health issues. Keeping the focus on men’s health issues helps to press  for needed research to improve treatments and prevention.

Taking part in No-Shave November is a great way to show that you stand for something. People will follow you. People will want to hear your story and know what you represent.

Relevant charities

Two relevant No-Shave November charities are:

You can check them out on Charity Navigator to learn about how they rate as charities:

When the month ends

Although No-Shave November ends at the month’s close, your support doesn’t have to end. Spreading your message, beliefs, and support for those fighting prostate and testicular cancer as well as men’s suicide can be a year-round effort.  And the end of No-Shave November does NOT mean that you automatically should resume shaving.  Keep growing your new beard!

To continue the mission of No-Shave November, consider volunteering at your local hospital or participating in races or walks that support men who continue to fight these awful diseases.

If you feel that a month off from shaving is enough for you, then you might think about getting rid of your new beard growth.  If so, stop.  Think again.  Don’t make a hasty, automatic decision that your new beard growth must go. If after careful consideration you decide that your new beard absolutely cannot remain, do the deed the right way by following our expert guide to shaving off your beard.  Then make a commitment to grow again during the next No-Shave November.