The beard game

When Virat Kohli decided to keep a beard little did we know that it would become such a rage. With multiple companies coming out with their beard oil range, this trend is here to stay. So shaping that beard is a skill that one needs to master. A lot of youngsters in the age group of 20 years to 35 years want to get rid of their upper cheek hair to give their beard a sculpted look. Getting threading done is a passé and laser beard sculpting is trending now.

Recently, a lawyer turned lifestyle influencer Karron Dhingra was seeking a solution for his painful threading sessions he had to undergo for a sculpted beard. Since he had various back-to-back shoots he wanted his beard game to be to the point. Many young men are opting for the treatment since beard grooming is something that most millennial men want to indulge in.

So, what exactly is laser beard sculpting?

One needs to shape the beard according to the facial aesthetics and shape. Most men like the upper cheek line of their beard to be sharply demarcated and to be absolutely symmetrical. After defining this line, one shaves off the unwanted hair in the upper cheek area and passes the laser light over it to destroy the unwanted hair follicles. The laser device used is a DIODE laser and it acts by heating the hair follicle bulb by a specified wavelength.

One also defines the lower extent of the beard by marking the neckline which is usually kept 1 to 1.5 inches above the Adams Apple.

Until a few years ago we had men coming in for laser hair reduction for unwanted hair on the chest and shoulders but now the popularity of laser beard sculpting is a lot more! It is best suited for men who are fair and have dark coarse hair as grey hair does not respond to laser treatment. Each laser sessions can vary from 20 minutes to 40 minutes and is a fairly comfortable procedure.

Usually the number of sessions required are six to eight, which are placed about a month apart and post that period touch up may be required three to six monthly as the beard hair growth is related to testosterone levels so men with thicker and coarser hair require more sessions. Excessive sun exposure should be avoided just after the sessions and sunscreen has to applied regularly.

Cost of a single session varies from Rs 2,500 - Rs 3,500.The procedure is definitely advantageous as compared to threading at a salon since it is less painful, causes gradual thinning and reduction  of hair. And provides a more prolonged hair free period.

The procedure is beneficial because the results are long term. There is significant reduction in hair follicles. It is a great substitute for painful threading sessions. The hair growth considerable reduces and the subsequent sessions are to be done after a month or more. It helps to get a well groomed beard. The skin over the upper cheek area feels much more smoother.

Post procedure care should include:
Avoid excess sun exposure,
Apply sunscreen regularly, and
Anti inflammatory creams for 3/4 days post the procedure.

– The writer is a dermatologist.

Disclaimer: Always check with a specialist before going ahead with this procedure.