Do I Have To Shave My Beard?

One question we typically get from our Bear buddies is, “Do we have to shave off our beard to go scuba diving?” The answer is a resounding NO! You can keep that gorgeous manly mane you have been growing for months, if not years, and still enjoy the excitement and adventures that await you beneath the waves.

Here are a few handy tips to help guide you through the process of making sure your mask is sealed to prevent water from entering while you are diving:

1) Keep your mustache as is.

You can dive with a mustache; however, it will depend if you are comfortable with water coming in your mask and what to do if this occurs. As a dive instructor, I have a mustache and beard, however, I can easily remove the water from the mask by exhaling out my nose. This forces the water down and out the bottom of the mast. Your dive instructor will train you on these techniques and more.

2) Thinning or Shave the area just under your nose.

It’s great for big mustaches on those who have a top lip big enough that shaving does not compromise their style. If not, try different cutting techniques like shortening your mustache. This is not a simple operation or effective from the first try. But with a thin razor and a little skill, we can easily shave the area just under the nose to leave this place hairless. Thinning the mustache with a trimmer, may be all you need to provide a reasonable seal under the nose.

3) Using a fat substance

Another solution is to use a body grease, like lip balm or petrolatum and to coat generously the mustache. This silicone grease comes in a tube like lip balm. Apply it to the part of the mask’s skirt that touches your mustache. It may take a few tries to learn how to get just the right amount, but once you do, you’ll hopefully enjoy fewer leaks. An important note here: Do not use petroleum-based products like Vaseline. The chemicals in these products will break down the silicone skirt and will shorten the life of your mask. The disadvantage to using this method, besides having a horrible aftertaste in the mouth after the dive, is that this method does not allow you to remove your mask under water.

4) Use a full-face mask

A face mask provides positive pressure that helps seal the mask on your face and prevent leakage. It also has some disadvantages such as a significant buoyancy issue according to some models and it is more difficult to make a mask exchange in case of problem under water, however depending on the size of your mask, you can often enjoy a clear view and a tight seal without having to trim, shave, or use a greasy substance.

5) Extreme Solutions

If you do not dive very often and the growth time of your mustache is fast, shaving under your nose may be the simplest solution.

Taking care of your beard after diving

After your trip at sea, you must take care of your beard to keep it flawless. For this you need to:
• Wash it thoroughly with warm, fresh water to prevent salt from drying on your beard. 
• Use proper oil to replenish, moisturize and hydrate the hair and skin of your face. As a diver, you have the responsibility to protect the environment. So make sure that all products used to care for your beard are 100% natural and will not cause damage to reefs or marine life.

It is our goal to guide you through the process of learning how to SCUBA dive, so with our guidance, ScubaBears will help you figure out the best way for you to dive. Don’t start shaving your face yet!