What Causes Patchy Facial Hair?

Patchy hair growth on your face may be annoying if you are a man trying to grow a mustache, beard or goatee. It can make it difficult to achieve the look you want. Having patchy hair growth is rarely a cause for concern, although if you have symptoms such as facial pain or swelling, you may need medical evaluation. According to the Mayo Clinic and the National Library of Medicine, causes of patchy facial hair include infections and skin disorders.

Acne

• Patchy facial hair may result from severe acne on your face, which disrupts normal hair growth and causes pits where hair may not be able to grow.

Alopecia Areata

• Alopecia areata is a longterm condition that may cause you to temporarily lose patches of hair on your face, scalp and body. The condition can return multiple times.

Folliculitis

• Folliculitis is a medical term for inflammation of your hair follicles, which may cause a temporary loss of patches of hair on your face and body.

Psoriasis

• Psoriasis is a skin condition that can affect the growth of your hair on your scalp, body and face and may cause patchy hair loss.

Ringworm

• Ringworm is a fungal infection you may get anywhere on your body, including your face, and may cause a small circular patch of hair loss and a red rash.

Scars

• If you have scars on your face from past chickenpox infections, stitches or other injuries, you may have patchy facial hair.