I personally don’t have a problem with my beard growing back quickly, with a close shave I can avoid ’5 o’clock shadow’ entirely until the next morning. However, the 5 o’clock shadow can be an irritating problem for a lot of guys who shave early in the day and still want to look clean shaven for the evening. Obviously the demand in the market is quite high because a lot of brands are now releasing hair growth inhibitors for men that promise to delay the onset of hair growth.

Now here’s the thing about hair inhibitors. Firstly, men cannot use the same products as women when it comes to this as men’s hair growth is generally thicker and more coarse and therefore unlikely to respond to the same treatment. Secondly, hair inhibitors tend to work best on hair that has been completely removed from the follicle via plucking, threading or waxing. Men’s facial hair grows back quickly because shaving only cuts the hair at the skin’s surface (and not beneath) and so the rate of re-growth is much higher.

Having said that hair growth inhibitors can work for men to a small degree in that they can prolong the effects of a smooth shave and delay regrowth. This doesn’t mean you can skip days shaving but it does mean that your smooth face will last for longer!

As I said I don’t have much experience with these products but there are some that i’ve tried and would happily recommend!

Origins – Fire Fighter Plus

This is an after-shave treatment that you can smooth onto your face straight after shaving, like an aftershave without the stinging. This stuff smells great and leaves your face feeling calm and moisturised whilst diminishing redness. In addition to this, it promises a ‘noticeable delay in the appearance of a five-o-clock shadow. Results are visible (or shall we say invisible) for hours. Re-growth is softer and finer, so your next shave becomes quicker, easier and even more comfortable.’ While I didn’t experience finer regrowth even after using this for 3 months, I DID notice that it delayed the regrowth of hair with regular use. As I said, this is not to the point where you can skip a day of shaving but it certainly prolongs that freshly-shaved face.

A side note about Origins: their shaving products for men are excellent but I would pass on the rest of their skincare. It falls into the all-too-popular category of ‘over-fragranced and over-priced’.

Clarins – Men Skin Difference

An award winning product from Clarins, this is a night moisturiser that firstly softens facial hair so that it becomes easier to shave off and secondly delays new growth like the Origins product. Consistent use yields good results.

Aveeno – Positively Smooth Facial Moisturiser

Soy has been scientifically proven to inhibit hair growth as well as even out skin tone and texture. This product from Aveeno is offers a good amount of Soy in a formulation that moisturises and soothes and so is excellent to use as a post-shave treatment. Using this twice daily should delay the regrowth of hair and should also help you to achieve a nice even-toned complexion. However the finish of this product isn’t excellent, you may find that it’s rather dry on the skin or that it breaks you out due to the excessive fragrance. Try spot-testing first before applying to your whole face.

When using these or similar products, remember:

• Don’t expect miracles, these creams may delay regrowth for a few hours but you won’t be able to stop shaving. Some may not even work because your hair is too coarse.
• These will only work for as long as you use them, as soon as you stop – the hair will return to its usual texture and growth rate.
• You have to use these regularly, no skipping days!

So that’s your brief intro into the often cloudy world of hair inhibitors, worth a shot if your five o’clock shadow is giving you grief! If you’re using or thinking of using a hair inhibition product that hasn’t been discussed here, leave a comment and i’ll have a look and possibly buy it for a review!