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Beat the Movember competition with these 7 tips to encourage hair growth
Its almost Halloween, which means its almost November, which means& Movember is almost upon us!
If youre planning on taking part in Movember an annual event involving the growing of mustaches during November to raise awareness of mens health issues and want to grow the fullest mustache youre capable of, look no further than the following expert tips.
Brush, wash, moisturize, and exfoliate for the fullest mustache possible
Not all of us were blessed with luscious locks, let alone thickets of facial hair. And yet, when November rolls around, there are reasons to try and grow it out.
The Movember Foundation runs Movember every year, borrowing the mo- from (the British spelling of) mustache and the -vember from, you guessed it, November. The idea behind it is to raise awareness of men’s health issues. People raise money for various charities while growing out their mustaches for the 30 days of November.
For maximum yield and lusciousness, grooming expert and barbershop owner Robert Rietveld recommends we or you& Im still on the fence use the proper tools for the job.
This means using a beard brush, a beard wash (he suggests Reuzel Beard Wash), a face wash, and a beard moisturiser. He likes Reuzel Beard Serum. Moisturizing it will help it grow, he says.
Keeping your mustache groomed and healthy is a sure way to make it grow. Exfoliate twice a week to remove dead skin cells, prevent ingrown hairs, and promote blood flow.
I bet youve never thought of massaging your mustache before
Neither had I, but Rob recommends that, too.
Massaging increases blood flow to the face and stimulates hair follicles. Massage your face for 10 minutes twice a day in a circular motion to see the best results.
Is this part of a plan to make men look and feel a bit silly? Even if it is, Im here for it.
Another of Roberts tips is eating alfalfa sprouts. Besides eating balanced meals with good sources of protein, carbs, and minerals, plus vitamins B, C, and E, and, of course, hydration, eating alfalfa sprouts boosts DHT and testosterone levels, which can bring about thicker hair growth.
Who knew?!
For what it’s worth, Healthline recognizes the popularity of alfalfa for promoting hair growth, but says there isn’t much scientific evidence to support the association. Still, it could be worth a try.
Does applying minoxidil encourage facial hair growth?
A few dermatologists and hair experts we spoke to for this piece mentioned minoxidil.
Minoxidil is a medication used to treat high blood pressure and pattern hair loss. Its a vasodilator, meaning it relaxes the veins and allows them to expand to let more blood through. Applied topically, as in, to the skin, its used to treat hair loss. It comes in the form of a scalp foam, which people regardless of sex apply directly to the top of the head.
Certified dermatologist Dr Christina Han notes that it can be an effective option for those looking to promote facial hair growth, but points out that there are very few studies that look specifically at facial hair treatment with minoxidil.
It likely works by increasing blood flow to hair follicles, which extends the growth phase of the hair cycle, she says. But consult your doctor before attempting this, as facial skin can be more prone to sensitivities and irritation from topical application.
Moreover, it takes time to work. Dr Robert Leonard of the Hair Health Institute says, Unfortunately, with just three days until the start of Movember, the best thing to do is not to shave!
It takes several weeks to impact the hair growth cycle, so nothing in the short-term will be helpful for THIS Movember. Plan now, though, for next year’s Movember with topical minoxidil 5% foam formula and medical-grade photobiomodulation devices.”
Robert Rietveld is on Instagram as The Bloody Butcher. Hes a hairdresser and stylist based in Rotterdam. Dr Christina Han is a board-certified dermatologist and the medical director at XYON Health. Dr Robert Leonard is the founder and director of the Hair Health Institute.
- CALL IT BY ITS OTHER NAME: No-Shave November: Origins, meaning, rules and memes
