He's on to something. Photo: Getty Images
Beards and baseball are going hand in hand this World Series.
Just take a look at the wild manes that guys like Mike Napoli of the Red Sox and Jason Motte of the Cardinals have been sporting this postseason. Players believe that more hair on the face means more success on the field—and they could be right.
But superstition aside, beards have a slew of benefits—from fighting harmful UV rays to helping your skin heal. Here, top skin experts reveal how your facial hair can help your health:
1. Your whiskers could keep you cancer-free. “I see more women who have upper lip cancers than men,” says dermatologist Scott Fosko, M.D. “Hair affords men some protection from UV rays.” And while scruff should never replace SPF, recent research found that 3.5-inch-long beards delivered an Ultraviolet Protection Factor—a rating system similar to the SPF numbers in sunscreen—as high as 21. (The best possible rating is 50+).
2. Your beard helps your skin recover. “Shaving affects the skin as much as the hair,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital. Do it wrong, do it too much, or try shaving over a pimple, and you could traumatize your skin with micro cuts, razor burns, and everything in between. A break from the razor gives your skin time to recover, says Dr. Zeichner.
3. Sport scruff to look better after a sweat session. It’s easier for oil and dirt to irritate freshly shaven skin than bearded skin. That’s particularly true if you wear gear that can further mess with your face—like a helmet for hockey or football, or goggles for squash—while you work out, Dr. Fosko says.
4. Fight dry air with facial hair. Work outdoors? Prefer the trails over the treadmill? Cold, dry air can suck moisture from your skin, making it chapped and even painful, says Dr. Fosko. But with a beard, you have more of a barrier to protect you from the elements, he says.
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