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Summary of Question:	Re: Handling Hair...
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 6/07/2005 10:38 AM MDT

Waheguruji Ka Khalsa Sri Waheguruji Ki Fateh

I just wanted to share my own experiences of growing a beard.

My beard growth is thick and dense. it covers the majority of my face and upper cheeks!

i have always used oil on my hair and beard. Be it Amla, Almond or pre-mixed oils that are available which contain henna oils, amla, almond and shikakai all in one. When I started growing my beard it was too small to tie up so after showering I used to oil it gently massaging the roots and working the oil along the shaft of the hair so that the ends are conditioned as well. I then used comb my dhari down and gently roll the ends in. Then I would use a hair net to cover my beard. I would then proceed to tie my turban and get ready. Once I was ready I would remove the net and my beard would be 'set'. Then I would use a conditioning hairspray and gently spritz my beard or spritz the palm of my hand and run my palm along my beard.

I still use this method now when I tie up my much longer beard! When my beard was long enough to tie up I started using a small rubber band to tie and then twist the ends in before applying the net. then as it got longer I used a small hair grip (but this can take alot of getting used to as the skin under the chin is sensitive).

Now I tend to leave my beard open so I just oil as usual and comb or brush it after showering and proceed to do my nitnem and get ready. In the meantime my dhari will dry from showering and I just spritz hair spray on my palm and run it along my dhari or just spritz my dhari with it.

The hair spray keeps stray hairs at bay and the beard looks well groomed and tidy.

You really have to experiment with what works best for you and your lifestyle. I like to wear my beard down but I have to use hairspray so that I don't have to keep holding it down especially when it is windy or i'm busy working.

I have told other keshdhari men about this method and it has worked for them too. Some use a piece of cloth like men do in Punjab to keep the beard compressed and then remove before goin outdoors. but i have always used a net when setting my beard.

However I never wear a net in public!

Experiment with what works best for you. But whatever you decide always remember that using a good natural oil on hair is essential for healthy and conditioned hair growth and manageability.

Hope this has been of some help and or use.

Gurfateh.

---reply

Thank you for your reply. I am not a man, but I have a Sikh husband, I am a mother of 2 Sikh men, and I am a friend of many, many Sikh men, all of whom have long natural beards, and all of whom do not use any net or fabric to "set" their beards. They do use almond oil to keep their beards healthy and brush them out. I don't understand why men would want to "net" their beards. Wasn't that a British tradition started to make Sikh's beards look more "tidy" and as less of a beard as possible? The men I know aren't afraid to "show off" their beards in their natural form. If they get in the way while working or are a fire hazard or something, then it is practical to cover them...otherwise, be proud of your lovely beard. GTKK