Editor’s Note: Every Saturday in November we will introduce a Bearded Beauty, a man with a full beard or mustache, to raise awareness for men’s health, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. Not only will we raise awareness, but we will also shares tips of the trade of those who have mastered a beard and mustache.
Meet 51-year-old Brent Burt, a Biology Professor at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, and also a bearded beauty. We sat down with Brent who told us the reason he grew out his beard and how he styles it every morning. Keep reading for more from Brent!
TFCL: Why did you decide to grow your beard out?
Brent: It started out as a whim. I spent 10 days in Big Bend National Park after this year’s Spring Brewfest. I just decided to see where it’d go from there.
TFCL: How long have you been growing out your beard?
Brent: Five months so far.
TFCL: Do you have any advice for beginners on growing out facial hair?
Brent: Be patient. Don’t trim or trim too soon, so you can see its potential. Also, there will be an itchy phase about two weeks out. Be strong my brother!
TFCL: How do you style your beard every morning?
Brent: I comb the beard, then I twist the mustache tips out and up. Sometimes I add a little mustache wax on the tips. I have to trim over the upper lip about once a week.
TFCL: Do you have any tricks of trade or any products you use while growing your facial hair out?
Brent: Just mustache wax.
TFCL: Why do you think it’s important to bring awareness to men’s health?
Brent: To be honest, most of the emphasis in medical research is on men, so if anything research on women needs more emphasis. Having said that, there are certain male specific potential problems that men need to keep an eye on. Get your PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) test done regularly, getting a baseline reading is important in case it starts to rise. Also, check those testicles. One final point, there are a few health issues that guys may not know they can get, such as breast cancer.
TFCL: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Brent: I think guys grow beards for a multitude of reasons. Religion plays a large role for some: Islam, certain forms of Judaism, Amish, Sikhism, but for most American males it’s an obvious mode of self-expression, and sometimes rebellion. Think about it, most of us don’t have very diverse wardrobes, wear much jewelry or makeup. This leaves beards and tattoos, and beards can be shaved.
