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.
According to studies, beards make a man look older by nearly 8 years. interestingly, the longer the beard, the older you look. So, if you want to look older, grow a beard (or a longer one). If you want to look younger, shave (or trim) your facial hair and use Volt Beard Color to help cover your grays.
Growing a beard isn't an overnight transformation—it's a journey. The golden rule? Commit to at least three months. No shaving. Resist the urge to reach for that razor, no matter how patchy or awkward things look at first.
You Can Look Younger Clean shaven guys tend to look younger. That can be both a good thing and a bad thing, depending on what look you're going for. If you're naturally young looking and want to appear older a beard can work. But if you want to keep your youthful complexion, going with no facial hair is the way to go.
At the four to six-month mark, you should have the kind of burly beard that's filled in and more or less looks like it's going to look for the foreseeable future. By this stage, the chances are good that you'll have a consistent beard care routine down pat and be comfortable living as a bearded man.
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.
Furthermore, a data dive by Christian Rudder, co-founder of OkCupid, has used surveys to find the male age women find attractive above all others. The result? Between 38 and 39. That's the age Clooney was during Ocean's Eleven, Brad Pitt was during Troy, and Will Smith in I Am Legend.
Summary: Cut Throat Club carried out a study, surveying over 100 women and found that overall women preferred men either clean shaven or with a well groomed beard.
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.
Overall, you should not grow a beard if you want simplicity, professionalism, or if you want to look younger. However, if you think you'll feel better and more confident with a beard, and don't mind the extra patience and maintenance requirements, then go ahead and grow one!
Rule #5: Clean Your Trimmings
If you have a beard, that means you're a man. And if you're a man, you should act like it and clean up after yourself.
Regularly Trim Your Beard
Even in the early stages of growth, when it comes to how to stop a beard looking scruffy, trimming is key. Not only will it keep your beard tidy, but it will also help to define the shape you want to achieve.
The pattern indicates that clean-shaven men and those with longer, full beards are considered by women to be best for long-term relationships. Whereas, those with stubble-short beards are seen as more attractive for flings or casual dating.
Grooming is linked with self-image and independence but if your loved one is no longer able to shave themselves, or starts cutting himself with a razor, it may be time to take over this intimate routine to help them maintain good hygieneBeing clean shaven may especially help those suffering from an illness to feel more ...
Actors and public figures flaunting their natural gray beards on social media and in films make a compelling case for the look. George Clooney, Pierce Brosnan, and Jeff Bridges showcase how appealing a well-maintained gray beard can be.
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.
Male participants' own faces
In the study sample, 57.14% declared having facial hair and 42.86% had clean-shaven faces (see Table 4). The tendency to actually have facial hair among the study men was non-significant.
The shape of your face—its roundness, squareness, length, and angles—plays a big factor in which beard styles flatter you most. For example, a long, narrow face will not benefit from a long, thin beard. You want to round out your length with a fuller, wider beard—it's geometry.
Adulthood prime (maximal performance age) begins when growth in height terminates or the velocity slows to an almost imperceptible rate. For women this occurs, on average, by 18-20 years and for men the typical ages are 20-23 years. The Prime adult years continue until about age 30-35 years in both sexes.
It was found that for all ages males were willing to accept females that are slightly older than they are (on average 4.5 years older), but they accept females considerably younger than their own age (on average 10 years younger).
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.
The primary factor here is the length of the individual's anagen phase. The longer the beard remains in the active growth period, the longer the maximum length. The average terminal length ranges from 12 inches to 36 inches.
After surveying over 16,000 individuals across eight different countries who were all asked at what ages they think men and women are most beautiful, the data found that the overall average age where women are found to be most attractive is 28.