Beard Trimmer Guard Sizes: Which Number Is Right for Your Beard?

You expect to make a small adjustment, so you use a different guard for trimming your beard. Rather, it appears to be half its size as it was five minutes ago. Your trimmer didn't break so the beard is not damaged. Typically it's because you misunderstood the guard number! This has occurred many times with males that have cut at home. They believe that if they can switch to a No. 3 guard, it is a minor adjustment, and then they find they have to lose a lot more weight than they thought. Other people simply mimic the size of the guard their barber cuts without realizing that a different brand of trimmer may cut differently.

The problem usually isn't choosing the wrong guard. It does not rely on guard numbers as indication of what needs a bit of interpretation, but treating them as universal measurements. When you know exactly what each of the beard guards does to your beard, trimming will be much more predictable. No longer will you have to guess when to pick up your beard trimmer as this guide to beard trimmer guard sizes will help you select the right number of guards depending on the length, density and goals of your beard.

Not All Guard Numbers Are Created Equal

Not all guard numbers are created equal, here's how to read the correct numbers for various trimmers. The most common misconception about beard guards is the idea that they will give the same beard length from each trimmer. It is not. Although some manufacturers follow similar measurements, there may be a slight gap in the amount of hair left behind depending on the blade design, shape of the guard, and the type of cutting angle. This means that on one side you'll have a 6mm trim and on the other, it'll feel like it is shorter.

Know your trimmer's behaviour before going by number.

• If you're considering cutting off your beard, try a new beard trimmer on a small area of beard under the jaw first.
• A full 24 hours isn't always necessary for the beard to fall in place naturally, then check the comparison.
• Write down the guard number for your desired length.
• Don't take it for granted that a different brand will have the same size, so stick to your own measurement.

This is a great habit to practice every time you cut, taking the guesswork out. Men who understand how their own trimmer cuts usually get more consistent results than those who rely on guard numbers alone. Once you have your trimmer as your default, it is a lot easier to choose the right guard.

Start Longer Than You Think You Need

The common error made by new trimmers is beginning too short. Always start longer than you think you need to in the event that you are unsure which guard to use. Even though hair can be removed, it is not possible to reinstall it after it is cut. Many first time users dismisses the idea of using a #1 guard and go right to #2 or #3 guard. They expect beard to grow back after 10 minutes, but it takes several weeks, as they have underestimated the amount of hair they've trimmed. Better outcomes and greater control are attained when you take things slowly.

When the beard grows more than 3 weeks, it is better to use a 10-12 mm long guard. Cut it all off once and look at it at the normal talking distance.It's only when the beard is still too full that the length needs to be reduced by 1 to 2 millimetres. Don't trim so short that the beard looks off-center. Since your eyes adapt after every pass, this is OK. If you try to assess the length of the old guard right away after changing to a much shorter guard, you will not have an objective number for comparing the lengths. Men who get consistently good trims usually make smaller adjustments instead of big changes. They just shed less with each decision, affording themselves more latitude to make a different choice and they'll let it go.

Choose Your Guard Based on Beard Density

Before deciding on the size of your guard, you should first consider your beard density. Beard density matters more than beard length when choosing a guard. It depends on how much of a beard you have. Two men can grow beards down to 9mm, but one has a thick beard and the other one can feel every single patch of hair. This is because density has an impact on a guard length's appearance on your face. A denser growth can be more length when kept shorter; a lighter beard can be more length when kept longer. Don't copy someone else's style, select your guard based on your beard.

• Choose 4-6 mm if you have a sparse or patchy beard.
• If you have a medium beard density, you can go for 6–9 mm for a balanced look.
• If you have a thicker beard, you can opt for 9-12mm and get a fuller beard without it looking overgrown.

Don't assume that the guard is not correct, hold on to it for 2 or 3 cuts before deciding to change. Depending on the circumstances, several grooming sessions may be needed to allow your eyes to assess a new length accurately.

In addition, this procedure overcomes a paradox. It is a grooming tip to have a thin beard longer and cut shorter as thin spots cannot be hidden. These two things can be true, but for most men with uneven growth, extra length often makes patchy areas more noticeable and highlights the spaces between the hairs. However, a denser beard typically will look better with additional length, since it helps to retain sufficient hair coverage. If the guard is as dense as your beard, then the haircut looks more like it was styled than natural.

Why One Guard Size Doesn't Work for Every Beard

A flat beard is normally one where you use a single guard size throughout the beard. It's simple to use the same guard on all of your beard's parts, but it rarely looks good. If you think all the hair is growing in the same direction or the same density, you will end up with the beard looking boxy or heavy.

Professional barbers will not employ just one guard throughout their entirety. They transition between one level and another and leave the beard looking natural instead of having a neat cut. This effect can be facilitated in the home without adding to the difficulty of your routine.

• For medium or long beards, have the cheeks 1-2 mm shorter than the chin.
• To achieve a more angular jaw, the chin can be 8–12 mm.
• If you have a moustache which often obscures your upper lip, clip it 1 millimetre below your upper lip.
• To blend trimmer lengths, do short strokes upward, rather than pressing into the beard.

These minute differences make for depth, rather than obvious layers. More people will see a well-shaped beard than they will see different guard lengths of beard because the transitions between each are so subtle.

How to Switch Between Guard Sizes Without Leaving Lines

When men start to change their size of guards, the majority of the time, they are not complaining about their square beard around their jaw or too thick beard on the side. The transitions between lengths look too obvious. The guards have to be switched in a correct sequence otherwise visible steps between lengths are created. Changing the size of the guards is the most effective way to shape a beard, but it's the sequence in which you change the sizes that is just as significant as the guard sizes themselves.

Long and short guards are often used in succession but the switching from one to the other creates easily visible lines at each transition. Despite the fact that the beard is cut in a neat manner in each section, those sharp steps create the impression of being handmade. It is not so much the number of guards that is a problem, as the lack of blending between the different guards.

Slowly make your way through the guard sizes. The length of the beard is calculated from the guard that is the longest from end to end.

• If you are altering the sideburns or upper cheeks, just blend down 1-2 mm; then make light upward flicking motions with the shorter guard.
• Before you proceed, look at the beard in natural light.

This is because each shorter guard will cover a portion of hair that is shorter than the first. You are cutting the beard in a different way, in that you are not cutting out separate sections of the beard, you are cutting it together. Knowing this order makes it safe to change guards and it is now a shaping technique.

Your Ideal Guard Size Changes as Your Beard Grows

As you get to mature your beard, your preferred guard changes. After two months of growth, your beard won't necessarily be the same size as it was when it was two weeks old. The hairs become laid differently the more the beard grows up and the same guard will pick up less beard than before. Many men think that they are on the wrong guard when the real problem is their beard has reached a new growth stage. Match the length of the beard with the guard length you are using, not to any specific number throughout the year.

• Let 3-5 mm of growth remain for 1-2 weeks.
• Increase to the 6–9 mm range for 3–5 weeks.
• Keep 9-12 mm thick for a minimum of 6 weeks; trim only the excess bulk when needed.

If you want to have a fuller beard, consider your preferred guard every 4-6 weeks. This doesn't mean that the guards need to be changed every trim. It takes a bit of bravery to own the beard change. Your guard might one day end up taking away too much or too little of your figure. No one is a beard man who always wears his beard in the right size. They are dedicated to wearing the right type of beard guard for their current beard.

Conclusion

Not required to learn each guard number to understand the explained beard trimmer guard sizes. It's all about understanding the impact each guard has on your beard. It's much easier to be consistent doing this when you aren't using numbers like a universal measure, but you are using them as your own measure.

The process should be used as a whole system. Don't assume that another brand will cut using the same size; try out how your own trimmer cuts. Do not try to calculate the optimum guard length on the first pass, but rather use a longer guard length. Do not copy another guard, but rather, try to match your guard size with the density of your beard. Don't take leaps from one guard size to another—the best way to do this is to blend in between; and change your guard size as your beard grows at different phases by using multiple guards to achieve natural beard proportions.

You'll generally see improvements after your first trim, since you're making a more conscious adjustment. Beard guard sizes also have limitations.

They will not fix the beard that must be shaped on a regular basis, patchy genetic beard, and the genetic beard that has irregular shapes. As important as the number on the attachment is still good shaping and reasonable expectations.

Most Commonly Asked Questions

What do the guard numbers on a beard trimmer actually mean?

The guard numbers of a beard trimmer indicate the approximate amount of hair that remains after trimming. The precise measurement can vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it's helpful to know how your particular trimmer works.

What size guard is ideal for a short beard?

Guards between 3 and 6 millimeters provide a clean, defined appearance for the majority of short beards. The best option is determined by your desire for facial definition and the density of your beard.

Does each brand use the same sizes for beard guards?

No. Although the construction of the guard and the design of the blade can result in slightly different cutting lengths, many brands use the same measurements. Before cutting your entire beard with a new trimmer, always try it out.

How frequently should I alter the size of my beard guard?

Guard sizes do not need to be changed every trim. Every four to six weeks, or whenever your beard reaches a significantly different growth stage, you should evaluate your preferred guard again.

Can two distinct guard sizes be used on a single beard?

Yes. In fact, using two guard sizes frequently results in a beard that looks more natural. By keeping the cheeks a little shorter than the chin, you can add definition without making it obvious that the face changes.

Is it harmful to trim first with the shortest guard?

Yes. Hair that cannot be replaced during the same trim is removed starting with the shortest guard. You can gradually shorten the beard until you reach the ideal length by starting with a longer guard.

When I use the same guard on every part of my beard, why does it still appear uneven?

Differences in facial shape, beard density, and growth direction cannot be taken into account by a single guard. A more balanced and polished appearance is typically achieved by carefully blending guard lengths that are slightly different from one another.