November has ended, and with it, the month-long event of No Shave November. At the dawn of December, razors came back out and beards came right off. But for those who have grown accustomed to their newly grown facial hair and decided to keep it around, here are some do’s and dont’s of facial hair care.

Do trim your beard

Unchecked, the hairs of your beard will continue to grow until they can get tangled with each other. In order to avoid this certainly uncomfortable situation and keep your beard and skin healthy, regular trimming is encouraged. Beard trimmers, like Braun’s cruZer5 ($25), can be purchased for anywhere from $20 to $60 and are incredibly easy to use — select the desired length and trim against the grain.

Do not pick your beard

For some men, growing beards can become quite a hassle as the process causes their faces to itch uncontrollably. For others who have already grown beards, there can be a desire to pick at them and pull out unruly hairs. Although scratching and picking can bring relief, they will only irritate your skin. In extreme cases, whole patches can be removed by absent-minded picking. Resist these urges as well as you can. Oftentimes, the discomfort can be eliminated by more diligent beard maintenance of
regular trimming and washing.

Do wash your beard

Just like any other hair, beards can gather dirt and sweat. This accumulated grime can make your beard scratchy or greasy, and when left for long, may lead to skin breakouts. Don’t forget to lather your beard in the shower using either soap or shampoo. If using either of those around your mouth is displeasing, try using one of many shampoos formulated specially for beards. Beardsley products are a good suggestion as they are some of the best available.

Do not neglect the skin underneath

Although your beard may cover a sizeable part of your face, it is no excuse to ignore the skin beneath. When you wash your face, make sure you wash your entire face — beard zones included. This will help you avoid annoying breakouts and unsightly ingrown hairs. However, be careful if your facial cleanser contains benzoyl peroxide; it will start to bleach your beard.

Do shape your beard

Trimming for length is perhaps more important, but shaping your beard will help make it look cohesive with your face. Study your facial structure in a mirror and take note of your cheekbones and jaw. Generally, the cheekbones are a decent indicator of the top boundary. In relation to your neck, your jaw will show the bottom boundary. The latter is often more important — when looking straight ahead, your beard should not be visible on your neck below the tip of your chin. Shape outwards from the center in relation to your jawline. Although these are general guidelines for a clean-cut beard, they can certainly be violated for stylistic purposes, regardless of beard length.

Do not try to shave off your beard

If you decide it is time to bid your beard adieu, do not by any means use your razor. If your beard is of any substantial length, trim the hair short first, and only then follow with a very careful shave.

A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday, Dec. 5 print edition. Dylan Freehauf is a staff writer. Email him at [email protected].