To ensure you get the best haircut it is important to ensure your hair is clean and free from things like dust, hair product or greasy hair. These things effect the efficiency of the clippers. Dust and hair product can clog up the clippers and prevent them from operating efficiently. Greasy hair can slip through the clippers preventing a smooth finish. You may want to wait till you get home to wash your hair but washing your hair before hand is just as important.

Whether you have a short or long beard it's important to take care of it, after all its hair just like the hair on your head. People often forget about looking after facial hair for whatever reason. There is an argument to say that it's more important than the hair on your head because it grows on your face and your face will be visible after your beard has gone. Your beard is growing from hair follicles on your face and it's important to look after them in order for your beard to be the best it can be. Taking care of your skin should be your first priority.

Start beyond the roots
The same rules apply to beards as they do for hair. Maintain good overall body health. Ensure you have a balanced diet or supplement your diet with the right balance of vitamins. Avoid too much alcohol or caffeine, drugs, smoking, heat and get plenty of sleep.

Choose a good skincare range
When your beard is in the early stages of growth you may be vulnerable to ingrowing hairs so make sure you exfoliate the skin with a good skin scrub. When your beard is in the early stages you may want to carry on using a cleanser which matches your skin type. If you have acne, dry or oily skin choose the right products for your skin

Be Patient
For the first few weeks try and avoid trimming to allow the hairs to grow evenly. You can also see where your beard grows and how far up the face. This will give you a guide as to where you can take your edges. Some people suffer from lack of growth on their cheeks so in this case you might want to think about taking your edge down to your jaw line.

Choose the right tools
You may also need to invest in a beard comb or brush, a razor for your edges, clippers/trimmers to keep it neat, moisturiser for early growth, beard oil or balm. Washing your beard is important to remove debris and build up like oil, food, dirt, germs and dead skin build up.

Moisturise
It's important to moisturise your beard. If you have acne prone skin its best to use a beard conditioner. If you have normal or dry skin a beard oil is fine. Apply your moisturiser after you have washed your beard but use sparingly to avoid the appearance of greasiness.

Groom
Brush or comb your beard every day to avoid knots and give your beard a neat look. If you are one of the unfortunate people who have the grain running in different directions you may need to use a product which has a strong hold like a beard wax. You may want a comb with wide teeth for a thicker beard or thin teeth for fine hair. Consider using a Boars hair brush which is good for your skin and perfect for removing dust and grime and won't snag your beard. If you have a short beard there is no need to brush as often as you might irritate the skin. You may even want to use a hair dryer on long beard hair. Apply the products you need and use the heat from the hair dryer to help them absorb into the beard and help you create a neat finish.

Choose the right beard shape
Think about why you are growing a beard. Are you trying to cover up your chin or do you want to make your face look larger? Do you want a larger moustache and a long beard?

Choose the right colour
It's not important to everyone but you may want to think about your beard colour if your beard isn't very dense. If you have fine hairs that match your skin colour they are not easy to see, adding colour may give you more definition. You may also have a multicoloured beard, sometimes people can have red, black and grey all in one beard, this is where a colour might help. Also if you have a bald head then you go for whatever shade you want!

Things to avoid
Avoid using products with silicone, parabens and sulphates. These will coat your hair which may look good in the short term but it's better to let your beard hair get its natural nutrients, you can also avoid having to worry about washing them out. They may also hide underlying issues like split ends.

Styling
If you have short beard you can get away with using small trimmers. You can use clippers on a long beard up to a size 10 but anything over this you would need to use scissors or a clipper over comb.

Edging
Cheeks - Decide where your edge will be. Then use your trimmers and trim the unwanted hair away down to the edge you want.

Moustache - Decide where you want the edge to be and use your trimmers to square it off. Follow the contour of your moustache to give it its shape. If you need it to be shorter use your trimmer guards. 3 to 4.8mm is ideal for a short moustache. For a larger moustache use your clippers with the tapper lever in the back position and gently stroke in a downward position. If you are worried about taking too much off use a 3mm guard.

Ear edge - Use your trimmers without a guard and follow the edge leading up to the ear. Most of the time you will want to follow the edge straight down. Occasionally you might want to follow the hair round under your ear if you prefer. You may need a mirror and a steady hand to do this. You can try holding a comb along the edge as a guide.
Neck edge - This is always the tricky bit! Decide where your edge should be. For shorter beards you can take it to above the Adams apple in a straight line from ear to ear. For a longer beard you may want to take it lower than your Adams apple.

Razor up
Finish off any edges with a razor

Ok here we go… are you ready? Believe it or not the short answer is no! Sorry I know you didn't want to hear that and yes I know you have probably heard that it does from your granny. It is one of the biggest myths in hairdressing/barbering. However getting a haircut does make your hair healthier even if you only have a short amount off, especially split ends. Once you cut off the ends then when the hair grows it should remain healthy if you look after it. The longer you leave split ends to grow the worse they will get. Over time split ends can become brittle, break and fall off. You can however use many of the hair growth supplements available on the market to help with your hair growth. One of the key ingredients to look out for is Biotin.

Ideally a balanced diet should suffice for most people. Please see below for the top foods for your hair. Also bear in mind that genetics does have a role to play in how fast your hair grows. It's also important to remember that a poor diet, stressful environment and high temperature can have a negative impact on your hair.

If you notice a change in your hair in any way, try and think of any immediate environment changes. Beyond that your next thing to think about is your diet. Increasing your supplements, getting regular exercise and trying to de-stress. For more information on what suppliments to take click here. Protein, iron B12 and complex carbs. Because hair is a non essential part of the body it's important to ensure there is enough of these nutrients inside you.

Scalp Care
Its often the last thing you think about but taking care of your scalp is important. Your hair has to grow through your scalp, if its covered in hair product, dust and oil build up you could run into problems, especially if you have thin hair.

Treatments
A simple scalp massage can help release any tension and boost circulation. If you are using any scalp treatments it's also good advice to massage them into the affected area

Choosing a brush/comb
Yes I know, most blokes don't use a brush or a comb but maybe you should. If you have medium to long hair then you definitely should consider it to get your hair into the style you want. A comb or brush with hard metal teeth is probably not a good idea as this can tear into the hair cuticle. A brush with round plastic prongs or an air vented brush.

This depends on how much your hair has grown since your transplant. If you have let your hair grow long then that's great, there is more to work with and you probably have some options. It also depends on the grain of your hair. It may be harder to get your desired style depending on the direction of the grain after your transplant. It also depends on the type of surgery you have had.

If you have had FUE (follicular unit extraction where the hair is taken from a donor site and inserted in the growth is desired) it is possible to have a shorter style, possibly even down to a number 2 grade. If you have had FUT (follicular unit transplantation where the transplant is designed to cover bald spots caused by hair loss) then it's advisable not to have anything less than a number 4 grade.

Until you sit in the barber chair it's difficult to advise the right style however you can play it safe with a hairstyle that is medium length. This might include a comb over, spiky or messy textured style. The important thing is not be afraid of having it cut. You may be so happy with the growth there is sometimes a desire to hang on to every last hair but this can lead to an untidy looking style. Just ensure you go to a professional barber. I would advise against going to a Turkish Barber as they have a habit of removing most of the hair without any conversation.

The simple answer is yes. When you have thin hair it can very quickly look untidy so at the very least its best to have the ends cut to even things out.

If you are wondering what hairstyle is best for thinning hair then first you need to identify where your hair is thinning. If you are receding at the front of your hairline wearing the hair down is a good option. If you are thinning at the crown then brushing the hair back is a good option. It's important not to be too scared of your bald patches. Often people tend to go for a comb over to cover it up but it's a bit obvious.

The trick is to have your hair short enough to style but no make it look obvious. Often a crew cut is an option as its about reducing the contrast between the long and short bits. If you have the sides short it can give the illusion of more fuller top. If you prefer longer hair on top you might want to think about something rough and choppy. This is easy to maintain and a rough textured feel can hide any bald spots. Spiky hair can often work as long as you are not receding at the temples. Spiking hair up can give the illusion of length and thickness especially if you are a little light at the crown.

Worst case scenario is that you could shave it off. Remember that your hair follicles are thickest at the base so there is good argument that a short style works, it just depends on how bad your patches are.

There are many products on the market for thinning hair. The main product is called Nioxin. These come in various kits and can be quite expensive. If you are on a budget you may want to try over the counter products which are designed for creating volume.

There are many types of products available which come in the form of shampoo, conditioner, foam, treatment mask and even supplements. Ensure you do your research and ensure they have been verified by a professional. There are many products on the market that do not have valid claims.

B7 (Biotin)
B5 (panothenic acid)
B6
B12
B1 & B2 Niacin and panothenic acid
Folic acid
Vit C
Vit E
Beta-Carotene
Antioxidants
Selenium
Calcium
Zinc
Iodine

No. 1: Salmon
Salmon and Mackerel provide omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamin B-12 and iron. Essential omega-3 fatty acids support scalp health. Deficiency can result in a dry scalp and dull hair. Vegetarians may source plant-based omega-3 fats from ground flaxseed macadamia nuts and walnuts.

No. 2: Dark Green Vegetables
Spinach, broccoli and Swiss chard, provide vitamins A and C used in sebum production (secreted by hair follicles). Dark green vegetables provide iron and calcium.

No. 3: Beans
Legumes (kidney beans and lentils) provide protein, iron, zinc, and biotin. Biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.

No. 4: Nuts
Brazil nuts are a natural source of selenium. Walnuts contain zinc and alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help hair condition. Pecans, cashews and almonds also contain zinc. Zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding

No. 5: Poultry
Poultry provides the high-quality protein and iron with a high degree of bioavailability. Weak brittle hair may derive from protein deficiency.

No. 6: Eggs
Eggs are sources of protein, biotin and vitamin B-12 – important beauty nutrients.

No. 7: Whole Grains
Fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, containing zinc, iron, and B vitamins are important.

No. 8: Oysters
Provide zinc — a powerful antioxidant.
In addition to other sources e.g. whole grain, nuts, beef and lamb.

No. 9: Low-Fat Dairy Products
Calcium, Whey and Casein are important minerals for hair growth sourced from skimmed milk and yogurt.

No. 10: Carrots
Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A.
A balanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fatty fish (salmon) and low-fat dairy products are potential aides to hair.

Crash diets with rapid weight loss can affect the normal hair cycle causing increased shedding within 6-12 weeks. This temporary problem should recover with dietary improvements.

The simple answer is no however there are some reasons why you might want to consider getting a short haircut to help in understanding and treating dandruff. If you can see the problem it can be easier to see the impact of your treatment and keep a close eye on your scalp. Stress and cold weather can have an impact on dandruff.
Dandruff is not caused by poor hygiene, it's a condition of the scalp which is caused by a disbiosis of three factors.

Sebum - a natural scalp oil which everyone produces
Malassezia Globosa - a naturally occurring microbe on the scalp
Oleic Acid - The by-product of Malassezia which breaks down Sebum on the scalp

Malassezia is a yeast and the overgrowth of this yeast can cause your body to respond to the yeast by attacking the skin causing redness, flakiness and scaliness. If you are sensitive to Oleic Acid it is likely you will experience dandruff. If you have long hair the dandruff flakes may be hidden. If you have short hair they may be more visible however when your hair is short it will be easier to treat the problem. If your scalp is itchy having long thick hair may make it feel worse, especially if you are a hat wearer. Keeping your scalp clean is an important factor. Scratching and itching your scalp is only likely to make things worse. An unhealthy scalp is damaging for your hair so at the very least start by making sure your scalp is clean. Dandruff is more noticeable on people with dark hair. It's important to remember that there are many causes of scalp conditions so it is important to consult your GP check the NHS website for possible causes. However since there are many products on the market to treat dandruff it's often a simple case of trying them to see what works. Look for a shampoo with these ingredients as a starting point.

zinc pyrithione
salicylic acid
selenium sulphide (or selenium sulfide)
ketoconazole
coal tar
If you don't see any visible results after a month consider consulting with your GP

Some people report their symptoms getting worse in winter. This could be caused by the fact that you wear a hat in winter and the increase in temperature due to having your heating on more in winter. The Sauna can also be a cause of your dandruff due to the high level of heat. There are many benefits to a sauna so if you do need to use one then ensure you cool your scalp with cold water and use a shampoo specifically for dandruff. The same could be said if you are a chief working in a hot kitchen all night with a hat on.

• A blonde head of hair usually has more strands than red or dark hair heads.
• Hair consists mainly of keratin, which is also responsible for the elasticity of fingernails.
• A single hair has a thickness of 0.02 – 0.04mm, so that 20 – 50 hair strands next to each other make one millimetre.
• Hair is as strong as iron. It rips after applying a force equivalent to 60kg, only after it stretched itself for about 70%.
• Even on a ‘good hair day’, everyone loses anywhere in-between 50 to 100 strands.
• The average scalp has 100,000 strands, or just fewer than 1000 per square inch.
• We are born with all our hair follicles.
• Some people can grow their hair up to 3 feet in length.
• The trait for baldness can be passed down through paternal or maternal genes.
• Hormone imbalances and crash dieting can trigger temporary hair loss.
• Frequent washing does not increase loss of hair.
• Hair grows faster in warm weather.
• Many drugs and illnesses can cause hair loss
• Thyroid imbalance and iron deficiency are reversible causes for hair
• Over 50% of men by the age of 50 have male pattern hair loss
• 40% of women, by the time they reach menopause, have female pattern hair loss