Mask and beard - how does that work? Tips from beard pro Behar

Coronavirus continues to dominate our daily lives – alongside social distancing measures and working from home, surgical and FFP2 masks have now become a regular part of our daily routine. The requirement to wear masks on public transport and in shops presents new challenges, particularly for those with beards. And the question remains: does a mask actually work at all when you have a full beard? We asked professional barber Behar for advice and gathered tips on how to stay healthy throughout the pandemic – with or without a beard.

Beard know-how for surgical or FFP2 masks

We’ve been seeing this scene since mid-January: in public spaces, only surgical and FFP2 masks are permitted. Previously, many bearded men had relied mainly on less protective fabric versions or scarves that offered a better fit. But what type of face covering does the barber recommend? Behar usually opts for a surgical mask, as it doesn’t fit as tightly against the beard. “An FFP2 mask exerts circular pressure on the beard. Over time, this leaves very unsightly marks,” says the expert. Although a surgical mask also leaves slight pressure marks, these can be quickly smoothed out with a beard comb. Another tip from Behar: “As long as masks are mandatory, you should use less beard wax, as it often gets caught in the mask.”

Do masks work with long beards?

If the beard is too long, the mask unfortunately does not function properly. The problem is that in this case, the mask often does not sit directly against the skin – meaning viruses and bacteria can pass through the beard unfiltered and enter the body. “Our colleague Jesco was therefore refused entry to some shops because of his long beard,” explains Behar. The solution is therefore quite obvious: shave it off! But does it all have to go? Or can you keep a bit as a “souvenir”? “I think the more you shave off, the better protected you are,” explains the professional. “Everyone simply has to ask themselves what’s more important to them right now – their health or their love of a long beard.” And so Jesco has also radically shortened his beard. To go with that, here are some tips for the perfect shave:

1. Depending on the length of your beard, you should start by trimming it. This allows you to shorten the beard a little before moving on to trimming if necessary.
2. Barber tip from Behar: If you want to shave your beard completely, it’s advisable to trim it to a length of 0 millimetres first. This puts less strain on your skin and the razor blades later on.
3. Apply shaving foam and start shaving. To ensure a perfect shave, the team at Eric:Barbier also uses the new pre-shave oil. This protects the outermost layer of the skin with nourishing oils.
4. After shaving, use an alcohol-free aftershave. It soothes stressed skin, prevents flaking and aids optimal regeneration.

Proper beard care during lockdown

“If you don’t want to say goodbye to your beard completely, you should at least trim it,” recommends Behar. When it comes to length, make sure your facial hair doesn’t stick out from under the mask, so that the face mask fits more snugly against your chin. If you keep part of your beard, proper care is essential: as viruses and bacteria can cling to it particularly easily in these weather conditions, thorough cleansing is all the more important. Behar therefore advises washing your facial hair regularly with beard shampoo. “Normal hair shampoo isn’t suitable for this, as beard hair has a thicker structure than the hair on your head. It requires more intensive cleaning, which can only be properly achieved with beard shampoo and its disinfecting effect,” explains the barber. Given the current situation, it should be used daily.

How to keep your beard healthy

However, frequent washing, excessive blow-drying, the warm, humid climate under the mask and dry heated air can all contribute to the beard hair drying out. This happens when damage to the outer protective layer causes important vitamins and nutrients to leach out. To counteract this and moisturise the hair, a high-quality beard oil should be used. “It’s important that the beard oil is fully absorbed before you put on your mask. Otherwise, you’ll just be spreading the oil onto the fabric,” recommends Behar. So wait until the oil’s shimmering sheen has completely disappeared from your beard before you start.

Behar’s insider tip for lockdown

If you want to do your skin a favour in winter, the expert recommends using Eric:Barbier’s pre-shave oil or aftershave. “I apply a little of our products to my face every day, especially where the edges of the mask sit,” explains the professional. “The nourishing oils prevent chapping and prepare the skin perfectly for the rigours of the weather!” Not everything about lockdown has to be bad. With our Valentine’s Day tips, your day of love will be unforgettable!