No Shave November, or “Movember,” is now underway for 2013, meaning that more men will sport beards, goatees, mustaches, and other forms of facial hair for the month.
The month was started by the Movember Foundation to raise awareness about prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health, according to the charity’s website.
“Movember” is a portmanteau of mustache and November.
“On average, men die at a significantly younger age than women. The average life expectancy for American men is almost five years less than women (presently 76 compared to 81), however there is no biological reason for this. The reasons for the poor state of men’s health in America and around the world are numerous and complex,” the website reads.
It said that there is a “lack of awareness and understanding about the health issues men face,” while men do not openly discuss their health and “how they’re feeling.” And meanwhile, there’s a reluctance on the part of some men to take action when they don’t feel mentally or physically unwell, an engagement in risky activity that threatens health, and “stigmas” surrounding mental and physical health.
Last year, the Movember Foundation said 1.1 million participants raised $147 million for charity.
Brent Pankhurst, a barber, told the Irish Independent that beard and mustache-growers should “some advice from the experts. A consultation will save you a lot of grief in the long run. You’ll need advice on the size of your mostache, the suitability of your face shape and your own particular growth type before you even start.”
“There’s no point trying to grow a heavy-jawline feature for instance if you have fine, blonde hair,” he added. “Likewise, a delicate style might be difficult to attain if you have a heavy, dark growth type.”
