Facial hair guru studies the question: 'Do beards matter?'

It is a simple question with a complicated answer: Do beards matter?

Beards are linked to a number of very important themes in history, in particular the history of health and medicine- Alun Withey

Big and bushy is all the rage now; a frequent fashion accessory on models and celebrities, as well as the hipsters eager to emulate them. But beard historian Alun Withey says those fulsome facial follicles are not just attractive window dressing; they have served an important purpose for centuries.

"I'm actually a medical historian by trade, and I'm interested in the health and hygiene aspect of it," Withey explains to As It Happens host Carol Off. "Beards are linked to a number of very important themes in history, in particular the history of health and medicine." 

History of facial hair

Withey is setting out on the world's first journey back through the annals of facial hair in hopes of answering our opening question: Do beards matter? He's focusing on 1700 to 1918. He says beards were considered dirty and unhygienic historically, but the reputation was unearned. "When you think about it, it makes no more sense that beard hair should be unhealthier than the hair that's on your head." 

Withey says he feels the current popularity of big beards is here to stay. Some style gurus have argued that we've reached peak beard, but Withey doesn't see any signs that it's waning, pointing to Prince Harry's recent facial growth, along with the entire Welsh Rugby team. 

Withey adds that he's not worried about the latest hipsters on the scene - the clean-shaven "yuccie" or Young Urban Creative. He's seen no evidence these Mark Zuckerberg types are ready to elbow out their more hirsute brethren.