Does facial hair make you look older or younger?

Author: Lavada Reynolds MD  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Long beards are epic, but in terms of aging, they tend to give the impression of someone who's much older than they really are. If you want your beard to look a little more youthful, keep it short. This doesn't mean you have to opt for a stubble beard, but you should aim to keep it in the short to medium range.

Does facial hair make you look older?

So, let's dive into the data! Yes, beards absolutely make someone look older, but by how much? Well, a study conducted in 2013 has stated that panelists who were shown two images of celebrities (one bearded and one clean-shaven) gave an average increase of 8 years to their age estimates when shown the bearded images.

Does removing facial hair make you look younger?

Shaving your beard and mustache can sometimes create a more youthful appearance, as facial hair can emphasize features that may make someone look older, such as wrinkles or sagging skin. A clean-shaven face often highlights the skin and can give a fresher, more vibrant look.

At what age should you remove facial hair?

If children feel uncomfortable about body/ facial hair, they can get rid of it when they turn 18. Before that Hair removal can pose challenges as abnormal growth can be a result of hormonal imbalances that are very common till the age of 21.

Does having a beard reduce aging?

Some people may think a beard makes you look older. However, having a beard can help protect your skin from sunlight and reduce your face from aging and wrinkles. So, while a full bushy beard might make you look older today, you will appear younger tomorrow if you shave.

Does A Beard Make You Look Older? | Here's What Science Says...

Do men look younger without a beard?

There are exceptions, but studies show that, on average, a beard will age a man's appearance by roughly 8-10 years. If you're 25 you'll look closer to 35 with a beard.

Is it better to have a beard or not?

“The benefit of having a beard is protection, as well as esthetics,” Dr. Harvey says. “Its good protection against wind, chafing and traumatic injury. It's also a trend, so we see a lot of men with some form of facial hair.”

How to get rid of old lady facial hair permanently?

Laser treatments

If you're willing to put in the time and money, laser treatments can reduce hair growth permanently. The treatments are done by dermatologists, professionals they oversee or other operators, depending on state laws. Lasers work by targeting pigment in the hair follicle.

What age does facial hair grow the most?

Your mid-20s to 30s are often considered the golden years for beard growth. As a matter of fact, most men don't hit peak beard growth until their early to mid thirties. This is when testosterone, the hormone primarily responsible for facial hair growth, peaks.

At what age should you stop waxing?

There is No Age Limit on Waxing!

There are so many benefits for mature skin! When we wax thin and fragile skin the right way, it can become more supple-looking and radiant. Gentle Exfoliation keeps mature skin from flaking and helps promote blood flow and collagen production for firmer-looking skin!

Do dermatologists recommend face shaving?

How often should one shave their face at home? AHD Team: At Alamo Heights Dermatology, we don't advise women to shave their face with a razor. If they're interested in hair removal that is not laser or Dermaplaning, we would suggest one of the wands you can find over the counter for more effective and safe results.

Does shaving your head make you look younger or older?

Does a Shaved Head Make You Look Younger or Older? If you're balding or your hair is thinning, shaving your head will make you look five to ten years younger. That was definitely the case for me, after I shaved my balding head.

Should I let my facial hair grow out?

Let It Grow

If you only let your beard grow out for a few weeks and give up you won't get to see the full potential your beard could be. If you are serious about growing a beard, you have to give it more than 30 days of growth before deciding to shave or trim.

At what age do you look older?

Most people begin to notice a shift in the appearance of their face around their 40's and 50's, with some also noticing a change in their 30's. But with these physical changes brought on by aging also comes a change in the appearance of our face - Luckily, there is treatment available.

Is facial hair more or less attractive?

Overall, these ratings suggest that an intermediate level of facial stubble is more attractive for a sex partner, while a fuller beard is perceived as indicative of someone with good fathering ability and more investment in offspring.

Do women's faces get Hairier as they age?

So what about women and extra hair growth? Because they don't produce as much testosterone as men, their transition into the world of hairier body parts is not as drastic, though it still occurs. Around the time of menopause when hormone changes are taking place, women will often develop more noticeable facial hair.

Does facial hair make you look younger?

This scientific study by Barnaby J. Dixson and Paul L. Vasey found that yes, men with facial hair do tend to appear older than those who are clean-shaven, sometimes by as much as 10 years or more. There are many reasons for this, some cultural and some biological.

What races don't grow facial hair?

There is no specific ethnicity that can't grow facial hair, but East Asian individuals, such as Japanese and Chinese, tend to have less facial hair and slower growth rates compared to other ethnicities.

How to stop facial hair growth in females naturally?

Treatments for hirsutism
  1. losing weight if you're overweight – this can help control hormone levels.
  2. things you can do at home to remove or lighten the hair – such as shaving, waxing, plucking, hair removal creams or bleaching.
  3. a prescription cream to slow hair growth on your face (eflornithine cream)

What vitamins stop facial hair growth?

Dietary supplements that contain vitamins B6 and E are also believed to help get rid of unwanted hair growth in the facial areas. For one, vitamin B6 is thought to help lower testosterone in women and inhibit prolactin hormone production.

Does peach fuzz get worse with age?

Menopause and Facial Hair, causes and treatment options

The hair on their scalp thins, while the chin or upper lip sprouts patches of “peach fuzz.” These changes are very normal. In fact, one study found that almost 40% of women age 45 and older have an excess of facial hair growth, especially on the chin.

How do celebrities remove facial hair?

Traditional techniques like threading, shaving, and waxing are still used; however, innovative techniques like electrolysis and laser hair removal promise more permanent results.

What looks more attractive, a beard or no beard?

The results indicated that the women found men with light stubble most attractive; these men were preferred as both short- and long-term partners. However, the women perceived male faces with full beards as the most masculine, aggressive, and socially mature; the women also thought these men looked older.

Are beards still in style in 2025?

The full beard remains a timeless classic, dominating the beard trends of 2025. Known for its bold, masculine appeal, it's perfect for men who want to make a powerful statement.

What are the disadvantages of having a beard?

Here are some of the issues you might face if you have a beard.
  • Acne. Acne is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting around 50 million people in the United States. ...
  • Dandruff. Dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis) doesn't just affect your head hair. ...
  • Ingrown Hairs. ...
  • Skin Irritation. ...
  • Staph Infections. ...
  • Lice.

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