Why Does Facial Hair Grow Faster When You Stay Up Late?
Aug 23, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Pan Yongyuan
Introduction
Staying up late accelerates beard growth, which results from increased secretion of androgens. Under normal daily rhythms, androgen levels in the body are relatively higher during the day and lower during nighttime sleep; thus, facial hair grows faster during the day than at night. When staying up late, all bodily organs remain active, metabolic activity intensifies, and consequently, hormone secretion increases compared to that during sleep.
Many men find facial hair attractive, yet some struggle with excessively long beards. People often wonder: Why does facial hair appear to grow faster when staying up late?
Why Does Facial Hair Seem to Grow Faster When Staying Up Late?
The perception that facial hair grows faster during late-night hours stems from increased secretion of androgens (male sex hormones). Under normal circadian rhythms, androgen levels are relatively higher during the day and lower at night—thus, facial hair naturally grows faster during daytime hours than overnight. When staying up late, however, all bodily organs remain active, metabolic activity increases, and hormonal secretion—including androgens—rises above baseline nocturnal levels. Consequently, facial hair may appear to grow more rapidly during periods of sleep deprivation.
In fact, staying up late does not truly accelerate facial hair growth. As noted, facial hair grows faster during the day than at night. What occurs during sleep deprivation is physical exhaustion and skin laxity due to disrupted rest—causing previously embedded hairs to become more visible, thereby creating the illusion of faster growth. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to endocrine imbalance, which in turn may cause hormonal abnormalities. Such imbalances may result in conditions including hirsutism (excessive hair growth).
Patients are advised to avoid staying up late whenever possible, prioritize adequate rest, and maintain a positive mental state to help prevent insomnia. We hope this information proves helpful.
