Studies have shown that men with beards are often deemed more attractive, with the hair seen by many as a sign of masculinity and sexiness. The findings come as World Beard Day is celebrated on Saturday, September 5.
Full beards rated most handsome
A study by Barnaby J. Dixson and Robert C Brooks (2020) asked participants to assess a series of photos featuring men with varying degrees of facial hair. Results showed that the vast majority of women found full-bearded men the most handsome.
Men with full beards were perceived as the healthiest and best-suited to parenthood, making them appealing partners to many. Research also revealed that as facial hair length increased, the men were seen as more masculine.
More than 8,500 women surveyed
These findings were corroborated in another study published by the Journal of Evolutionary Biology in 2016. Researchers asked over 8,500 women to rate men with different lengths of facial hair.
The women were shown pictures of men who were clean-shaven, sporting light stubble, heavy stubble, and a full beard. The results once again showed women were more attracted to those sporting some sort of facial hair.
Beard trivia for the day
Beards grow roughly 1cm a month on average, and a big beard can contain tens of thousands of hairs. Beard colour can differ from the hair on your head, even in the same person, and the beard has a growth cycle of grow, rest, and shed, so patchy bits can fill in over time.
Beards can offer some UV protection, but they are not a replacement for sunscreen, and they can help with wind chill by acting as an insulating layer for the face. “Beard dandruff” is usually dry or irritated skin underneath, not the beard hair itself.
The word “barber” comes from Latin barba, meaning “beard”. There are international beard and moustache championships with specific categories, and stroking your beard can make it look greasier by transferring oils from your hands.
