Beards are worthwhile in summer and winter as skin protection, in addition to increasing attractiveness and even benefiting health
Beard - protection in summer and winter
Just as seriously as science is concerned with cancer research, it has also begun to look into the aspects of beard care. And look! It turns out (among other things) that they are actually related to cancer - they are a rather effective way to eliminate skin cancer. Beards naturally protect the lips, cheeks, chin and, in the case of a more extensive beard, the neck. According to a study by researchers at the University of Queensland, the risk of cancer is approximately one-third lower for men who have a beard compared to those who are clean-shaven. In fact, according to research, beards are said to protect against 90-95% of all ultraviolet rays reaching the skin...As a result, beards also protect the skin from ageing, which means fewer wrinkles and fewer so-called 'age spots'.
Of course, beards also pay off in winter (the bearded Santa Claus could tell you! :-)), when the sun doesn't burn so intensely. In this case, the beard acts as "insulation". According to dermatologist Anthony M. Rossi, a man's beard acts as a de facto scarf in winter. And, as Popular Science magazine reports, beards can keep the skin about one degree warmer than where it would otherwise be unprotected. There's even a theory that beards have an evolutionary purpose to keep faces warm (but then the question arises as to why women aren't bearded too...).
Hygiene and health above all?
You've probably come across the claim that beards are a breeding ground for bacteria. Specifically, in 2015, a "study" that claimed there was more fecal bacteria on beards than on toilet bowls caused quite a stir. However, it subsequently turned out that the whole research was quite problematic and not very representative. So if you take adequate care of your beard on a regular basis, there is no need to worry about unwanted bacteria accumulating on it.
Moreover, as a study published by the impacted Journal of Hospital Infection suggested, beards may instead protect against bacteria. The authors of the research referred to a survey of more than four hundred health care workers, who were shown to be three times more likely to have dangerous bacteria nesting on their faces if they were clean-shaven. Why? Again, the explanation is fairly simple - regular shaving can create tiny wounds on the skin that are an ideal gateway for infection.
Alongside this, data also confirms that 'friendly bacteria' can even cling to beards, killing off the dangerous ones. And it is said that these "friendly bacteria" from beards could even be used to make powerful antibiotics in the future...
Beard vs. attraction
But science has also addressed the question of the attractiveness of bearded men - and as research has suggested, a trimmed and manicured beard does indeed increase attractiveness. However, the type of beard also reportedly affects how potential partners view the beard. While men with a few days' stubble are considered ideal for a one-off "fling", men with beards have been rated as "ideal long-term partners". At base, however, the research suggested that the least preferred group of men are those with "chubby" faces.
Beards may even affect the impression men give of their surroundings. According to Psychology Today magazine, men with beards are usually seen as masculine, dominant and socially mature. In addition, they are not infrequently credited with responsibility and the ability to provide support. On the other hand, a 2012 study that compared the expressions of the same men who were photographed first bearded and then shaved suggested that angry bearded men appear much more aggressive to those around them...
Beer Beard
But not to be too serious - there has also been some pretty amusing research on the subject of beards. For example, back in 2000, Guinness, which makes its own beer, funded a study that looked at how much beer is "wasted" by getting stuck on beards and moustaches. And the number is breathtaking! Nearly 100,000 litres of beer are lost in the beards of British men every year! This 'beer tax' then increases especially with the size of the moustache, with each individual beer consumption accounting for around 0.56ml of beer. So if a man drank 100 litres of beer a year, the beer loss in moustache and beard would be around half a litre of beer...
Leaving aside these beer losses, however, it seems that a trimmed beard is more or less a benefit. So don't wait until Movember and feel free to start growing a proper beard for the summer.
