WHEN it comes to royal whiskers, Harry might be the first prince that comes to mind – but it looks like William is giving him a run from his money
The typically clean-shaven prince set royal fans aflutter when he debuted a smattering of stubble in a video alongside Princess Kate, praising Team GB after the Paris Olympics.
GettyPrince William looked unusually rugged as he sported new facial hair[/caption]
GettyThe Prince of Wales attended the ‘Homelessness: Reframed’ exhibition at the Saatchi gallery on September 5[/caption]
Whether you’ve got a patchy, dry or flaky beard – here’s what it means about your health
The Sun’s very own Ellie Henman professed that Wills has “never looked sexier” while sporting his new facial fuzz.
Now seems like Prince William’s summer stubble is here to stay – as he sported a more rugged look when he arrived at a Saatchi Gallery exhibition this week, in a navy suit to match his neatly trimmed beard.
With signs pointing to the prince’s face fuzz being more than just a phase, you might be thinking of putting away your razor and debuting some facial hair yourself.
Your beard might come in thick and lion-like compared to Prince William‘s closely clipped stubble.
But it could also grow in thinner or more patchy than you’d like, or you may notice specs of dry skin nestled in your facial hair.
It may come as a surprise to you that beards are more than just facial furniture – they can actually tell you a surprising amount about your overall health.
Dr Mary Sommerlad, a consultant dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation told Sun Health: “The male beard area is heavily under the influence of male hormones such as testosterone
as well as genetics.”
From patchy hair growth to skin flakes and dry strands, here’s what your beard can reveal about your health.
1. A patchy beard
Is your facial hair broken up by bald patches?
There could be a number of explanations for this, one of them being alopecia – a hair loss disease that can affect any part of the body, including the scalp and beard area.
Dr Sommerland revealed how to spot if you have it.
“If there are smooth bald patches of hair this can be due to an autoimmune hair loss condition called alopecia areata,” she said.
“In this condition, there is painless hair loss, usually in a circular shape; hairs may grow back white.
“Sometimes other hair bearing areas are affected like the eyebrows or scalp.”
Another culprit behind your patchy beard could be a fungal infection.
“Fungal infections left untreated can lead to permanent hair loss,” the dermatologist warned.
“Before the hair is lost there may be scaled bumpy areas, which may have pus.”
If you have previous scarring on your cheeks, this could affect how thickly your facial hair grows in.
Tips for a healthy beard
For a healthy looking beard, taking care of the skin beneath it is key.
Following four simple steps can make a huge difference.
They include:
Washing your face and beard every day to remove dirt, oils, germs, pollution, and dead skin cells – use a gentle cleanser made for your skin type
Using a gentle scrub to avoid ingrown hairs while your beard is growing in, followed by moisturiser and SPF
Using a beard conditioner if you have acne prone skin or beard oil if your skin is normal to dry
Using a beard comb to detangle and style your beard, spreading the oil or conditioner through it evenly
“Hair doesn’t grow through a scar therefore areas of scarring in the beard area will usually be hair free,” Dr Sommerland explained.
Finally, stress, rapid weight loss, illness and nutritional deficiencies could be the cause of your uneven fuzz.
“Iron deficiency especially can cause a patchy thinning of the beard hair,” the skin expert noted.
2. A flaky beard
Your scalp isn’t the only spot you can get dandruff – sadly, facial hair can get a case of the flakes too.
“The dermatological name for dandruff is seborrhoeic dermatitis,” Dr Sommerland said.
“This causes mild itch and flakiness of hair bearing skin.
“It is more common in men and can be successfully managed with shampoos and creams.”
Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis can also cause a flaky beard.
While eczema can make your skin feel itchy and tight, psoriasis can cause flaky patches of skin that look “redder or darker than the original skin colour and may or may not be itchy”.
“Both can be treated so it is worth getting a review from a qualified medical professional,” Dr Sommerland added.
3. Dry beard hair
Is your beard hair feeling a little dry and brittle?
It might be due to over-washing or using dehydrating products.
“Curly, coily and wavy hair tends to dry quickly and is more susceptible to breakage,” Dr Sommerland said.
In a pinch, you can treat it like you would the hair on your head.
“Using a hydrating and softening conditioner to the beard hair can help with dryness,” the dermatologist suggested.
“Not all beard oils suit all hair types so if your beard oil feels drying to you, look for an alternative.”
4. Your beard won’t grow in
Patiently nursing a few stray wisps of hair sometimes just doesn’t pay off.
Dr Sommerland explained: “Unfortunately not everyone will develop an even, thick, full coverage beard.
“This is dependent on hair pattern, overall health, genetics and levels of testosterone.
“Extreme diets, extremes of age – young men and older men – stress and chronic illness can also affect how a beard grows in,” the dermatologist went on.
What your hair says about your health
The hair on top of your head can shed some clues about your health too.
Here’s what your locks are telling you:
Dry hair – you’re not eating enough protein
Dull hair – a lack of vitamins A and B
Shedding or thinning locks – a lack of iron, as well as menopause or stress
Spit ends – a lack of collagen
Dry scalp – you’re not eating enough fatty acids
Premature greys – deficiencies of vitamin B6, B12, biotin, and vitamin D and vitamin E
Read up on how to fix your hair niggles here.