rough scruff \ Grooming tips

Not sure why your scruff is rough? Heed these grooming tips courtesy of Jack Passion, a Walnut Creek world beard champion and author of the forthcoming e-book, “Jack Passion’s Facial Hair Handbook.”

A beard is a barometer of a man’s health. So eat right, drink plenty of water and get enough sleep. It will show in your beard. Also, beard care is skin care. So don’t forget to nurture the skin underneath.

To control the itching while growing a beard, brush regularly with a light bristle brush to promote circulation and flow of oxygen. Take a flaxseed oil supplement to soothe the skin.

When shaping your beard, use a clean razor and never shave with a dull blade. Use shaving gel rather than cream so you can see through it and avoid mistakes.

Cleanup around the beard depends on how fast your hair grows and how you want the beard to look. To clean up your lines, soak a rag in hot water and apply to face for 20 seconds. Remove and apply a shaving oil to the face. Then, apply gel. Shave without applying pressure. Soak rag in cold water and apply it to face. Finish with astringent.

Want to change the length of your beard? Invest in a trimmer or small clipper. They range from $20-$100 and make all the difference. Then, be patient. Remember: “You can’t make a harvest until the crop is fully grown,” Passion said.