Young Native American Wearing Traditional Headdress

There is much debate about whether or not Native Americans have facial hair. The answer to this question is a bit complicated, as there are many different tribes with their unique history and traditions.

However, many Native Americans are beardless due to their culture and tradition. Today, we’ll see all about that. Anyhow, let’s take a closer look at that, shall we?

Short History

As we all know, Native Americans are the indigenous people of the Americas. They are descendants of the original inhabitants of the land who arrived here thousands of years ago via the Bering Land Bridge.

There are many tribes of Native Americans, each with its unique culture and traditions. One commonality between many of these tribes is that they were nomadic, often moving from place to place in search of food and resources.

Therefore, the growing beard was never the thing for them as they had to shave it all the time due to a lack of resources.

Can They Grow a Beard

In general, it seems that most Native American men do not grow facial hair. This is likely because many of these tribes were nomadic and did not have access to the same shaving tools and products that we do today.

Of course, there are some exceptions to this rule, but in general it seems that most Native American men lack facial hair.
In that light, they often resort to other hair removal methods, such as plucking or waxing.

Besides that, Native Americans are known for their awesome hairstyles. So, even though they might not have beards, they more than make up for it in other areas!

Why They Don’t Have Facial Hair

Growing facial hair is not easy, especially if you don’t have the right genes. Native Americans, in general, can’t grow thick and luscious beards like other groups of men do.

This is due to a combination of genetics, lifestyle and diet. For example, Native Americans tend to have higher levels of testosterone than other groups of men. While this might sound good, it has the opposite effect regarding facial hair growth.

That’s because testosterone can inhibit the growth of facial hair. So, even if a Native American man wanted to grow a beard, he might not be able to due to the high testosterone levels in his body.

There are a few exceptions to this rule, of course. Some Native American men do have facial hair, albeit not as much as other groups of men. And they tend to style it the way they want.

From there, we can conclude that Native Americans can grow facial hair, but it’s not as common as in other groups of men.

Most Common Shaving Methods

Throughout history the most common shaving methods were plucking and waxing. But, nowadays, better options like electric shavers make the whole process much easier and less painful. So, how did Native Americans cut their beard?

Well, they used a few different methods. One of the most popular methods was the use of obsidian and razor.

Obsidian

This is a natural glass that can be found in many different places around the world. And it’s known for its sharpness.
So, Native Americans would use obsidian to shave their facial hair.

As you can imagine, this wasn’t the most comfortable method, but it got the job done.

Holding Small Obsidian Stone

Some benefits of using obsidian to cut hair are that it’s very sharp and doesn’t rust like metal razor blades.
However, due to its sharpness obsidian is very dangerous and can easily cut your skin if you’re not careful.

So, it’s not a method that we would recommend!

Razor

Another method used by Native Americans was the razor. This metal blade was attached to a handle, and it worked similarly to the obsidian. The only difference is that it wasn’t as sharp, making it a bit safer.

But it still requires a lot of skill and precision to use without cutting yourself. On top of that, razor blades are known to rust as time passes, which is why obsidian was a better option for many Native Americans.

Besides that, Native Americans now have the world’s best straight razors to choose from and get their beards shaved perfectly.
Finally, razor blades worked better with shaving products like cream or gel.

So, if you’re wondering about shaving cream vs. gel, the straight answer would be high-quality shaving cream, as it offers better glide.

Cherokee Grooming

Natural Products

The first thing you need to know is that the Cherokee people use only natural products on their hair.
This includes herbs and plants, which are great and considered shaving cream alternatives.

Some of the most popular herbs they use are rosemary, mint, and sage. These herbs not only make their hair smell great but also help to stimulate growth.

Avoid Damaging Their Hair

Another thing that Cherokee people do to have such beautiful hair is to avoid damaging it as much as possible.
This means that they avoid using heat and chemicals on their hair. Instead, they let their hair air dry, and they only use natural products.

This helps to keep their hair healthy and strong. The most crucial reason Native Americans have such great hairstyles is that they use foil shavers for smooth shaving. With a clean and precise shave your hairstyle looks much better.

It gets all the attention and there’s no beard to ruin a perfect hairstyle.

Get Regular Trims 

Last but not least, the Cherokee people make sure to get regular trims. This helps eliminate dead and split ends damaging your hair.
Getting a trim every few weeks is enough to keep your hair healthy and looking its best. So, there you have it!

These are just a few secrets the Cherokee people used to have such beautiful hair.

Mohawk Grooming

Right next to Cherokee grooming, we have another great style called Mohawk grooming. This style has been around for centuries, and it’s considered a popular hairstyle for men with straight hair.

The Mohawk haircut is characterized by a strip of hair in the middle of the head, and the sides are shaved.
This was a popular style among Native Americans, as well as many other groups of people.

So, how do you get a Mohawk haircut? Well, it’s pretty simple.

Native American Guy With Mohawk and Traditional Instruments

All you need to do is shave your head’s sides and leave a hair strip in the middle. You can make the strip as wide or as thin as you want.
And you can also style it in many different ways. This hairstyle was widely popular among punk and hard-rock cultures over the last decades.

Quick Grooming Tips

Wash Your Hair Regularly

The first thing you need to do is wash your hair regularly. This will help remove any dirt and oil build-up, making your hair look greasy and unhealthy. You should aim to wash your hair at least once a week but twice is even better.

This will provide the best care for your skin and facial hair. Also, if you can’t decide to shave before or after a shower, we strongly recommend it.

Use the Right Products

Another essential thing to do is to use the right hair products. This includes things like shampoo, conditioner and styling products.
Make sure to choose products that are suitable for your hair type.

For example, use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner if you have dry hair. And, if you have oily hair, you should use a clarifying shampoo to help remove any excess oil.

However, if you want to go all-natural, you can consider using plants and herbs like rosemary, mint and sage.
These herbs can help to stimulate hair growth and make your hair smell great. Another great thing to do is to use the best pre-shaving oils.

They are known to provide a smooth and easy-to-shave experience. They can also help if you use premium shavettes to complete the job correctly. 

Trim Regularly

If you want to achieve a perfect hairstyle, you must trim your hair regularly. This will help eliminate any dead and split ends damaging your hair. Getting a trim every few weeks is enough to keep your hair healthy and looking its best.

Also, it’s essential to use quality tools, not just any kind of trimmer you can get your hands on.
For example, you can choose to use electric shavers for sensitive skin as they are possibly the best for this kind of grooming.

Don’t Overdo

Last but not least, you should avoid overdoing it with any hairstyle. This means you shouldn’t style your hair too often or use too many products. If you do, it can cause your hair to become damaged and unhealthy. So, it’s crucial to find a balance that works for you.

As you can see, there are many different things that you need to consider when it comes to Native American grooming.
However, if you follow these tips, you should be able to achieve any style you want. Just remember to be patient and take your time.

After all using the wet shaving basic kit can help a lot with grooming.

FAQ

Do native Americans have curly hair?

There is no one answer to this question as there is a lot of diversity among Native American tribes.
Some people have straight hair, some have curly hair, and some have wavy hair. So, it depends on the individual.

Portrait of a Serious Indian Man With Traditional Headdress

Do native Americans grow body hair?

No one can be certain if Native Americans can grow body hair. Some people have a lot of body hair, while others have very little.
It varies from person to person.

Are there races that can’t grow facial hair?

No scientific evidence suggests that any race cannot grow facial hair. However, some people may have a genetic condition that prevents them from growing facial hair. This condition is called alopecia areata.

Do native Americans go bald?

There is no one answer to this question, as baldness is a genetic condition that can affect anyone, regardless of race.
However, it is worth noting that some Native American tribes have a history of hair loss due to a lack of nutrients in their diet.

Did Aztec men grow beards?

There is no one answer to this question as there is no record of what the Aztec men looked like.
However, it is generally believed that they did not grow beards as they were considered a sign of weakness.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is no one answer to the question, “do Native Americans have facial hair?”.
However, it is generally believed that they can grow facial hair.

History tells us that Native Americans have a rich culture that mainly focuses on caring for their hair.
Next time you see a Native American, take a closer look and see if you can spot any facial hair!

Who knows, you might be surprised by what you find.

Vinnie - Barber

About the author: Vinnie – Barber

Vinnie is one of the members of the Beardoholic writers team. He’s also a barber and hairstylist for 15 years now and he has a kick-ass beard of his own, so he surely knows what makes a magnificent beard and hair and how to achieve them. He’s our go-to guy for all the latest beard and hairstyle trends and he always has a tip or two on how to grow and style a thick beard fast.

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