About Trimming a Beard

Trimming is a necessary grooming technique for men who have facial hair. This is especially true of beards, which can grow wildly out of control. Though the length and frequency of trims may vary, there are a few basic strategies that most men should employ to ensure that their beards are well-groomed, symmetrical and nicely shaped.

Time Frame

Though every man is different, most men with an average-sized beard will trim it every two to three days. This will prevent minimal length from growing out of control, while saving you the time and hassle of trimming it everyday. If you're less stringent with your grooming habits, you could probably go a week or a week and a half without a trimming, though the task will likely take more time and efforts to keep the beard balanced and well-groomed once you do trim. Some people choose to trim the beard everyday. Though this doesn't cause any harm, overgrooming can cause a beard to look spotty or uneven, as too much attention is likely to be paid to one side.

Types

There are a few key tools used for beard trimming. Some opt to trim beards with scissors, while others like to use electric beard trimmers. If you're going to use scissors, you should purchase a pair of barber's scissors, which can be found at most drugstores for less than $15. It is also a good idea to use a beard comb, which is a miniature comb with small bristles that allow excess or especially long hair to show through the bristles. Brush through your beard section by section, trimming the long hairs that show through the comb . If you opt for the electric beard trimmer, be sure to set the blades to the appropriate trimming setting. If you haven't had much experiencing using an electric trimmer, set the trimmer to a longer length to account for any errors or beginner's mistakes.

Size

According to Esquire magazine, you should begin trimming your beard one inch above your Adam's apple. This will allow you to maintain a full face beard without the hair taking over your neck. If you trim your beard too closely to your jawbone, you may risk making your beard too scarce near your chin and the end of your face. If you trim it lower than your Adam's apple, you may risk looking unkempt and scraggly, which can be a problem in some professions.

Considerations

It's easiest to trim your beard if you first comb your hair in the direction that it grows naturally. By doing this, you will be able to see how long your beard really is, allowing you to determine how much you want to trim off. For hard-to-reach areas, including your jawbone, under your chin and the top portion of your neck, you may want to use a hand mirror or flexible stationary mirror to guide you through the parts of your face that you cannot easily see.

Warning

Never trim your beard or moustache when it's wet. Water naturally weighs down hair, making it droop and appear longer than it actually is. If you trim your beard while it's wet, you may end up trimming off more hair than you originally intended based on your hair's deceptive length.