5 unexpected benefits of a goatee

Here's what scientists say about the pros and cons of having a thick beard under your chin.

People with beards are less likely to get skin cancer.

Protect men from skin cancer

According to research from the University of Queensland, Australia, beards can protect men from 90% of harmful UV rays. As a result, men with beards may be less likely to develop skin cancer.

Speaking to The Independent online newspaper, the University of Queensland's vice-chancellor of the School of Health, Engineering and Science, Alfio Parisi, author of the study, said:"While it doesn't offer the same protection as sunscreen, a beard certainly plays a role in blocking UV rays."Imagine the contrast between a man with a beard and a man without a beard under the influence of sunlight.

Symbol of manliness

Other research suggests that men with beards may be perceived as more mature and of higher social status. There is also evidence that men with beards display more authority, and some controversial research suggests that men with beards are more likely to engage in same-sex relationships. And while the latter study is controversial, there is no denying that beards seem to be the most masculine.

Make men more attractive

Some studies suggest that men with beards may be more attractive to women, but this depends on whether the woman's father had a beard.

Scientists suspect it may have something to do with genetics about sexuality, or the theory that children's future sexual preferences are shaped at a young age by their parents. It may sound creepy, but it's actually more fun to have a bearded man in the house.

No residue in the beards

There have been some articles recently claiming that most beards contain scum, this is not entirely scientific and is based on a local news report.

Although a spokesperson from Quest Diagnostics in Albuquerque, New Mexico, previously told a reporter that some bearded volunteers had scum in their beards, these observations were not linked to any serious scientific research. Just because a few people in New Mexico have scum in their beards doesn’t mean everyone’s beards will.

Has a link to premature death

This is bad news for bearded men. One study found that infrequent shaving was associated with premature death from all causes, but most notably from cardiovascular disease.

Researchers suspect that the increased risk of premature death among bearded men is largely due to lifestyle differences, because bearded men tend to be shorter, less likely to be married, have fewer orgasms, and are more likely to smoke.

However, it is possible that different hormonal factors exist in people with beards, so, beardies, keep the beard if you can.