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How Long Does It Take To Grow a Mustache? (With Practical Advice)

Ready to grow a mustache? Unfortunately, when the mustache mood strikes there isn’t an “EASY” button that will make you wake up to a fully styled mega ‘stache. However, most men don’t have to wait months to see some impressive growth on the upper lip.

Most men can grow a short mustache in 30 days, but it will take 60-90 days to grow a full mustache of an inch or more. Mustache hair grows at a rate of around .5mm per day. Genetics play the most significant role in hair growth, but your mustache may grow faster when you eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and exfoliate your face.

If you want to learn more about the timeline of mustache growth, read on!

How long will it take to grow a mustache?

The time it takes to grow a mustache depends on your end goal. Of course, a light to heavy stubble look will take less time to grow in than a full-on Magnum P.I. style. The good news is that even a light stubble ‘stache looks stylish until a longer length is hit.

A stubble mustache can grow within 2-3 days. A short mustache can grow within a month, and a full mustache can grow within 2-3 months or more depending on the desired length.

Let’s look at the advantages of each growth level.

Stubble

Want a quick mustache style? The stubble look is for you. In just a few short days, you can be wearing the style made popular by celebs everywhere. 

Stubble is simply the short, stiff hairs that first break through the skin. The stubble mustache style is popular since it can be achieved by almost everyone. Light stubble or 5 o’clock shadow, can grow in a matter of hours to several days depending on your individual hair growth rate.

While stubble is easy to grow, it takes a little maintenance if you want the look to say rugged instead of rogue. If you want to stick with the stubble look, a beard trimmer is a must. You decide on your desired length and keep the stubble trimmed to perfection.

Short mustache styles

Once you get past the wiry stubble stage, you’ll have many short ‘stache styles to try on for size. 

A short mustache style measures in between a heavy stubble and one inch in length. Some popular short mustache styles include the Natural and Pencil. The hairs are short enough to show all of the upper lip.

Short styles are easy to maintain as long as you own a good beard trimmer. They look good on their own and pair well with a beard or goatee.

Natural

The Natural is a low-maintenance style that is great for beginners.

Simply let your ‘stache grow with minimal trimming.

Pencil

The Pencil is a great choice if you have fine, thin hair.

Full mustache styles

Good things come to those who wait. A full mustache does take some time and commitment, but the results are worth it.

A full mustache style has both length and volume. The hair has been growing for a couple of months and has reached the 1 inch or more point. Some popular full mustache styles are the Chevron and Handlebar. The hair is often long enough to cover part of the upper lip.

The advantage of a full mustache style is versatility. You can part it, wax it, and mold it in different ways depending on your mood.

Chevron

The Chevron style makes a bold statement. It has full volume and length and demands attention.

Handlebar

The Handlebar is manly with some whimsy thrown in. You can play with the fullness in the middle and get creative with curls at the end.

Why does my mustache grow so slowly?

As with all things related to genetics, there are no absolutes. One guy might have a full beard by high school graduation and another still hasn’t grown enough facial hair to shave. If you are a teen anxiously awaiting a full mustache, be patient. Hair growth happens in stages.

Slow-growing mustache hair is likely related to genetics. Hair growth speed depends on your follicles’ sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of testosterone. Consistent facial hair growth for many men doesn’t come until the age of twenty and beyond. 

Some people think that the higher your testosterone levels, the quicker and fuller your hair will grow. This is not the case. That’s why testosterone supplements won’t help your facial hair grow.

Your genes affect your follicle’s sensitivity to DHT and this is the process responsible for androgenic hair growth. Testosterone is important, but it doesn’t act alone.

Fun Fact: Your scalp and face are two different creatures. If your facial hair follicles are sensitive to DHT your hair grows faster and fuller. If your scalp hair follicles are sensitive to DHT the reverse can happen – your hair falls out!

Will my mustache fill in?

Hairy corners, but no hair in the middle? That’s normal for a first-time mustache wearer. Each follicle has a mind of its own and grows at its own pace.

It is normal for young men in their teens and early twenties to have patchy facial hair growth. Hair growth typically starts at the corners of the mouth, then the chin, then other areas. It is likely that a mustache will fill in as you age.

What seems like haphazard growth in your teens is actually quite cyclical. 

Will my mustache connect to the rest of my beard?

If you already have some beard stubble, a mustache can complete the look.

Eventually, your mustache will connect to your beard. While you are waiting for your mustache to grow longer, growing a beard at the same time will help camouflage the awkward growing out stage.

Mustaches and beards are a dynamic duo. Growing them both together actually takes some of the focus off of your upper lip. Hair growing on your chin area helps balance the hair growth visually. Who knows? You may decide to keep the beard once your ‘stache reaches maturity.

Looking for a more complete answer about when your mustache and beard will connect? Check out this article!

Can you make your mustache grow faster?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there’s no magic pill or concoction that will instantly grow your mustache at supersonic speed. The good news? There are things in your control that will help your follicles reach peak efficiency.

When it comes to mustache growth speed, your genes and androgens are the main contributors. Keeping your body and skin in good condition keeps your hair follicles healthy.

What makes a mustache grow faster

While you can’t alter your genes, you can make sure your body is in prime hair-growing mode.

Here are some tips to make your mustache grow faster:

  • Eat right
  • Exercise
  • Exfoliate
  • Experiment with a beard

Let’s look at each of these in detail.

Eat right

A diet of junk food isn’t doing your body or your facial hair any favors.

Eat a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein for the vitamins and minerals necessary to keep all of your body systems in tip-top shape.

Exercise

Physical exercise increases your circulation and keeps your hair follicles nourished with blood supply.

Exfoliate

Keeping your face free of pore-clogging dead skin cells, dirt, and sweat gives your follicles room to work.

Experiment with a beard

Growing a beard in tandem with your ‘stache can ease the awkward transition. As your mustache fills in, trim your beard shorter.

How long it will take to grow a mustache by age

Facial hair growth rates and patterns are largely determined by your genes. In fact, a great predictor of your own hair growth experience is to look at your dad and grandad. If you’re curious to know individual specifics, have a chat with them over coffee.

The length of time it will take to grow a mustache is greatly influenced by genetics, however, the average daily growth rate is between 0.3mm and 0.5mm. Your age can also affect hair growth rates and patterns. If you are still going through puberty, hair growth will be slower compared to the rate in your late teens and early twenties.

While facial hair grows at about the same rate as the hair on your head, it outpaces the growth of eyebrow hair by double. Unlike hair in other places, facial hair follicles come in a myriad of shapes and sizes. This can result in some interesting and inconsistent facial hair growth patterns.

Let’s look at an average mustache timeline:

Age 13-15 – Patchy Puberty

Voice cracking. Body odor. Hair in weird places. Welcome to puberty! Changes can start occurring as early as age 11. By the time 13 rolls around, some hairy additions can be expected on the face and other interesting places. 

By the age of 13-15, mustache growth becomes visible at the corners of the mouth. You may also see some long chin hairs. In most cases, facial hair at this stage is patchy and uneven.

Puberty is a process and so is hair growth. While puberty can last into the twenties for some, major changes in facial hair occur in the teens. The pattern usually begins with clusters of light hair at the corners of the mouth. A few impressive fuzzy chin hairs also make an appearance but don’t expect a 5 o’clock shadow just yet. 

Ages 16-17Fade to Black

Just as you’re getting a license to drive, your androgens and hormones are getting cranked up too. You start to trade in the peach fuzz for some darker-colored strands. 

By the age of 16 or 17, facial hair growth begins to take on a more manly look. Hair color gets darker. Mustache hair begins to grow and fill in the gaps. The mid to late teens bring darker, coarser terminal hairs.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, many boys won’t develop any facial hair until this stage in the puberty game. So, if you weren’t immediately blessed with some early puberty whiskers, that is completely normal.

Ages 18-19Testosterone Takeoff

By legal adulthood, your facial hair looks more adult as well.

By the age of 18 and 19, mustache and beard patterns should be visible. Testosterone levels continue to surge fueling androgenic hair growth. Mustache and beard growth becomes more consistent.

This is a great time to get a glimpse of your overall facial hair growth patterns. Choose a mustache style that accentuates your individual growth pattern.

Ages 20-21The Growing Twenties

While you may be graduating to new adventures, your facial growth continues to forge its own path.

By the time you reach your 20s, mustache hair growth should be consistent and hair coverage should be achieved across the upper lip and chin. Facial hair can continue to fill in until the 30s.

Testosterone levels continue to climb or remain constant until age 30. This is encouraging news for men who may find their hair growth a little slower or sparser than they would like. There’s still time for it to grow. There are also many mustache styles that can work to your advantage.