Better Health: Can Beards Be Beneficial?
Whether you go goatee or grow a full beard, there are some good reasons for to take a break from shaving, besides having one less thing to worry about in the morning routine. Research shows that growing a beard is actually the key to keeping you younger-looking, naturally moisturized, and even healthier.
It has long been known that women tend to outlive men. American men tend to live about five years less than women, according to the American Journal of Public Health.
While you may have noticed that beards are now suddenly trendy, men may unknowingly be helping their overall health.
A scientific study in the Journal of Hospital Infection studied a large group of male hospital workers and found that those who sported facial hair had fewer bacteria on their faces than their clean-shaven counterparts.
“‘Our study suggests that facial hair does not increase the overall risk of bacterial colonization compared to clean-shaven control subjects,’ the survey revealed. ‘Clean-shaven control subjects exhibited higher rates of colonization with certain bacterial species.” What they found was that those with beards were less likely to contract hospital superbug MRSA than their smooth-faced colleagues.
The reason for this, it’s believed, is pretty logical too. Shaving causes ‘micro trauma’, or abrasions, to the skin - which can then result in bacterial colonization.
Others studies have suggested that beards could even be able to fight infection too.
Some other reasons to let it grow:
UV Protection
According to recent research from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, beards block up to 95% of the sun's UV rays, which can play a huge role in preventing skin disorders. The sun is to blame for up to 90% of the visible signs of aging. So while facial hair won't keep your forehead from developing the standard crevices, it will keep the bottom half of your face looking younger when you do shave.
Better Skin
Facial hair doesn't just hide blemishes—it actually prevents them. "Razor rash, acne, and hair-follicle inflammation are often the result of shaving. Razors can irritate the skin, causing an infection of the hair follicle.
Manly Men
The more facial hair a man has, the more masculine both men and women perceive him to be, according to research published in Evolution and Human Behavior. If pure, unadulterated masculinity is what you're after, let it grow. If you're looking to impress the opposite sex, don’t shave for ten days in a row; the study found that's the length women find the most attractive.
Natural Moisturizer
Your face has its own built-in moisturizing system known as your sebaceous glands and they secrete a natural oil that keeps skin moisturized. A thick beard not only prevents you from rubbing it off of your face, it also protects the face from wind exposure, which leads to redness and dryness.
Face Filter
Just as your nose hairs trap pollutants and particles that could cause your body harm, the more hair you have around your airways, the more bad stuff you're keeping out of your lungs every day. Just be sure to treat your beard like any other filter and wash it vigorously when you shower.
Men may not always catch up to women when it comes to health. But caring for your own health is not a competition between men and women -- it's an opportunity to live a better life.
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