Whether you like them or not, beards have become ubiquitous among the modern man. A style once relegated to wizards and lumberjacks has taken over modern fashion, appearing on everyone from Academy Award nominated actors, to the checker at your local health food store.
As beards have become more mainstream, the opinions on the style have become increasingly polarized, as people tout or disparage the abundance of facial hair. Critics declare beards to be unsanitary, suggesting that they may provide a haven for bacteria, dirt and other unpleasantness, namely human feces. Yet, recent studies have challenged the idea that beards are unhygienic.
An experiment from the BBC show, "Trust Me, I'm a Doctor," explored the phenomenon of “the dirty beard” with interesting results. The investigation found that men with beards had roughly the same amount of bacteria on their chins as their baby-faced counterparts. What’s more, the beards were found to house microbes possessing the ability to kill bacteria. These beard-lurking microbes proved formidable killers, cutting through the E. Coli like a virile lumberjack cutting through a forest.
Although we may not see these microbes used to develop new antibiotics anytime soon, this discovery brings new potentials for additional study and growth, while providing the perfect comeback to the next person who deems beards “gross.” Still, these findings are only the most recent research exploring the benefits of facial hair. Beards have been attributed to a number of positive health effects for men. A 2011 study from the University of Southern Queensland indicated beards can act as powerful shields, protecting skin from the sun’s harsh rays, while reducing chances for wrinkles, sun damage and even skin cancer. Similarly, beards have been shown to keep men’s faces moisturized, in addition to insulating them against the cold during the dry chilly winter months. Moreover, facial hair has the ability to trap allergens, prevent throat disease and alleviate symptoms of asthma.
Historically, the cleanliness of beards has been a major concern. Apprehensions about the sanitation of beards have contributed to the style falling out of vogue repeatedly throughout history. However, modern technologies have turned this myth on its head, pointing out the plethora of health benefits accompanying these hairy marvels. While society remains divided on the aesthetic appeal of facial hair, one thing is clear, there are more to beards than meets the eye.