Around the age of 14, when we boys have enough testosterone to power a small country, it’s almost inconceivable that we’d grow up to have anything other than a beard to rival Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson.

However, mother nature can be cruel, and it’s during these formative years when natural production of the hormone peaks, which can cut the road to an impressive thatch of facial hair short.

Of course, a few years later whiskers (okay, wispy bum fluff, then whiskers) start to sprout out of chins and top lips, and some are able to join the ranks of the bearded. Yet others suffer slow, patchy growth – or no growth at all.

The short answer to ‘how can I turn into a caveman overnight?’ is you can’t. It’s just genetics. But there are a few hacks that can help make the most of what facial furniture you have.

Make Your Facial Hair Grow Faster

Check Your Diet

When it comes to making things grow faster, the most important component is the same for your face as it is your sex life: what you put in your mouth (not like that).

Water, along with a diet rich in B vitamins, vitamin A, C and E, folic acid, zinc, magnesium and omega-3 gives hair the nourishment it needs to grow. If you’re not getting your fill of grains, red meat, oily fish, leafy greens, seeds, legumes and fruits (let’s face it, who is?), consider multivitamins and supplements that top up your levels.

Avoid Stress

Modern life is hard: we’re expected to excel at work, maintain a social life, drink enough water, exercise, text everyone back, stay sane, survive and be happy. Without the zen of a Buddhist monk, it’s impossible to do all that without a little stress, which has been proven to stunt hair growth, so do your best to swerve it.

The most effective de-stressors after a weekend getaway in a mountaintop monastery include getting plenty of sleep, making time to relax away from emails and working out. Trust us, your beard will thank you.

Look After Your Face

Let’s get one thing straight, you should already be looking after your skin – moustache or not. Just because you can’t see it anymore, doesn’t mean you should neglect what’s underneath.

The jury’s out on whether massaging your face encourages facial hair growth, but one thing dermatologists agree on is that the healthier your skin, the better your beard will look. Use a facial scrub along with a face wash to keep your follicles clear, then follow up with a moisturiser loaded with vitamin B5, which increases bodily functions and circulation required for that ‘stache to sprout.