Hello to everyone in here. I'm new to the board, and new to finally growing out my beard. I spent the first part of my adulthood employed by the U.S. Navy. When I went in, beards were allowed, but only after finishing all your required schools and arriving at your final command. For me, that was the USS McClusky (FFG 41). Before this time, I never paid much attention to the fact that nobody in my family, including relatives, ever grew facial hair. After arriving at my final command, I found out why. W've all been passed down some of the crappiest genes for growing facial hair that one could possibly get. So while a beard was quickly eliminated, at least with time, I managed to grow a full mustache, something nobody else in my family ever managed to achieve. But the chance at a beard was out. Not that it really mattered, as less than a year latter, the Navy changed it's policy and made everyone shave their beards off. They claimed it was for "Pride and Professionalism", an excuse I don't buy to this day. What's worse, the Navy's really big into tradition, making enlisted wear a horrible looking dungaree working uniform (exact same being worn by Levenworth Military Prison inmates). They refused to change it for years, citing "Tradition." Beards in the Navy were "Tradition" too, and up to this point, had been allowed since the Navy was first formed. Less than a month to go before retirement, and I was involved in a serious accident, whose treatment resulted in a major chemical imbalence. So yet again, just as the chance to finally grow a beard (no matter how long it took) was back, it disappeared. It took 10 long years, but finally the balance has been corrected. So much in fact, that my beard's been given extra fuel. It turns out, the males in my family all suffer from a genetic inability to produce that extra testosterone needed for decent facial hair. With that problem resolved, the facial hair's taken off like never before.
I'm now starting week six of my beard growth. With the exception of a couple bald spots, I couldn't be more happy. I love the new me, and look forward to each week's comparison photo that I've been taking. Due to my poor genetics, I've started using Rogaine on the bald spots to get those areas to fill in. My current plans are to continue growing it out for at least four months of total growth before I attempt any shaping. But shaving it off won't be happening anytime soon, if ever. After being told by a complete stranger I looked to bein my mid 30's, there's simply no question...the beard stays. I'll be keeping everyone posted on my progress weekly. But for now, my breard's become my new best friend!!!
As a quick note to any that may happen to follow my new adventure, today was the first day for using Rogaine. Before purchasing this or any other product, I went into Youtube and did a couple of searches for "thick beards" and "Rogaine beard", resolving myself to watch quite a few videos. Finding plenty of advice from people with really great beards, I took it to heart and purchased additional suppliments...including Biotin, BeardActive, and Beard Growth Spray. How each would work independently I'm not testing. Being already 53, I'd rather use that time to enjoy a full, thick, luscious beard. However, this journey was kicked off as a result of being put on a testosterone suppliment, something I highly recommend you DON'T DO for beard growth, as too much testosterone can have fatal side effects. My numbers were so low that its a non-issue for me. This was only after extensive testing through a specialist I had to see to resolve other issues as a result. The testosterone issue came about after a very serious injury to my back from a car accident, which left me with a morphine pump due to chronic pain from a spinal injury. Taking extra testosterone for the sole purpose of growing in a beard can end up leaving you with very little time to actually enjoy having a that great beard.


I'm now starting week six of my beard growth. With the exception of a couple bald spots, I couldn't be more happy. I love the new me, and look forward to each week's comparison photo that I've been taking. Due to my poor genetics, I've started using Rogaine on the bald spots to get those areas to fill in. My current plans are to continue growing it out for at least four months of total growth before I attempt any shaping. But shaving it off won't be happening anytime soon, if ever. After being told by a complete stranger I looked to bein my mid 30's, there's simply no question...the beard stays. I'll be keeping everyone posted on my progress weekly. But for now, my breard's become my new best friend!!!
As a quick note to any that may happen to follow my new adventure, today was the first day for using Rogaine. Before purchasing this or any other product, I went into Youtube and did a couple of searches for "thick beards" and "Rogaine beard", resolving myself to watch quite a few videos. Finding plenty of advice from people with really great beards, I took it to heart and purchased additional suppliments...including Biotin, BeardActive, and Beard Growth Spray. How each would work independently I'm not testing. Being already 53, I'd rather use that time to enjoy a full, thick, luscious beard. However, this journey was kicked off as a result of being put on a testosterone suppliment, something I highly recommend you DON'T DO for beard growth, as too much testosterone can have fatal side effects. My numbers were so low that its a non-issue for me. This was only after extensive testing through a specialist I had to see to resolve other issues as a result. The testosterone issue came about after a very serious injury to my back from a car accident, which left me with a morphine pump due to chronic pain from a spinal injury. Taking extra testosterone for the sole purpose of growing in a beard can end up leaving you with very little time to actually enjoy having a that great beard.


