Most men are very proud of their mustaches and take care of them with quality products and a good barber. But there is one thing that most men cannot control which can detract from the pride in their mustache, a mustache gap.
We look at what a mustache gap is and the many things that can cause it. Then we’ll talk about how to fix a mustache gap depending on its cause.
What’s A Mustache Gap?
A mustache gap is when there is a lack of hair growth in the center of your mustache. This results in space between the two sides of your mustache which basically separates it into two.
The gap typically happens around the philtrum which is the midline groove that runs from the top of your lip to your nose. Hair will naturally grow less in this area so to some extent every mustache has a gap although most are not noticeable.
Causes Of A Mustache Gap
There isn’t just one cause of a mustache gap, and it can depend on a lot of factors.
Testosterone levels can be one reason, growth direction or a particularly large philtrum can also cause a mustache gap.
Mustache color and hair density may play a role while genetics, stress and diet can all contribute to the cause.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at each of these causes of a mustache gap to help you figure out what may be the reason for yours.
Testosterone Levels
Testosterone is an important hormone in men’s bodies. It regulates sex drive, muscle mass and strength. But it also produces a hormone called dihydrotestosterone which is responsible for hair loss. This can cause baldness in men and women.
Some people are sensitive to this hormone while others are unaffected. However, testosterone levels and sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone may cause a gap in the hair of your mustache.
Genetics may play a role in the levels of testosterone in your body.
Growth Direction
The growth direction of the hair in your mustache may be the reason why you have a gap. If the hair tends to grow away from the philtrum on both sides then this will create a larger gap in your mustache.
If you’re lucky enough to have your mustache hair growing towards the philtrum then you may have no visible gap, or it may be very thin and not noticeable. You may be able to treat it with beard balms or beard wax.
Large Philtrum
If you happen to have a very large or wide philtrum then this may cause you to have a mustache gap. As we’ve mentioned, hair doesn’t naturally grow in the philtrum so having one that is large or wide can cause thinner hair growth which produces a mustache gap.
A large or wide philtrum is not something that can be fixed with surgery, so you will either have to accept the uniqueness of your mustache or find a way to disguise it.
Either way, knowing that this could be the reason for your mustache gap can put your mind at rest.
Mustache Color
The color of your mustache hair can also make the gap seem even bigger and more pronounced. Men with darker mustaches will find it easier to mask the gap in their mustache than those with lighter hair.
The color of your mustache doesn’t directly cause the gap obviously, but it can make it more obvious, and you may be more self-conscious about it. Dyeing your mustache and beard may be a solution, but it depends on how you feel about that.
Hair Density
Some men have quite sparse facial hair and this can mean that the hair of their mustache is thin. This can make the gap at the philtrum even more apparent and potentially cause you to be quite self-conscious about it.
There are treatments for facial hair that can encourage it to grow thicker and make the gap less visible. Hair density is most likely a genetic issue and there may be little you can do to alter this.
Genetics
Just like there are people who are blessed with thick, luxurious hair there are men who are lucky enough to have thick, full mustaches. Genetics can also affect how large or wide your philtrum is and this can cause you to have a mustache gap.
If you have a thick mustache it may not be noticeable but if your mustache is light-colored or sparse then it can make it more noticeable.
Stress
Stress should never be underestimated. It can cause hormonal imbalances in the body and have a real impact on your health. In the same way that other parts of your physical health are affected by stress so is your hair and that includes facial hair.
The effects of stress cause increased corticosterone levels and reduced hair growth in different areas of the body including your mustache hair. By addressing the cause of your stress you can help rebalance your hormones.
Diet
If you are eating a poor diet that lacks the nutrients your body needs then your hair may suffer. For many people, the hair on their head may thin out or be in poor condition with split ends and no shine.
But a lack of minerals and vitamins can affect hair growth anywhere and this can cause your mustache to be sparse.
There are many vitamins connected to hair growth and if you are not getting them through your diet it may make your mustache gap more apparent.
How To Fix A Mustache Gap
If your mustache gap is causing you to feel self-conscious, or you just want to make it look better there are things you can do.
Patience
Have patience, especially when you are just starting to grow a mustache. It can take between 3 and 6 months for a mustache to be thick enough to style.
So, if you’re just starting out and your mustache gap is an issue, just give it some time.
Thinning It Out
You can also thin out your mustache and this can make the mustache gap less visible. Thinning out the top line means the depth of your mustache will be reduced and the gap harder to notice.
Darken It
If your mustache is dark then you can fill in the gap by using darkening products such as beard pencils, or dye. This works best if the mustache hair is sparse or light-colored.
Use Beard Wax
When the hairs of your mustache are growing away from the philtrum then you can use beard wax to manipulate the hairs to cover it. Beeswax is the best to use as it holds down the mustache hairs.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is used to stimulate hair growth. It was initially used as an oral hypertension pill but has been proven to help hair grow in balding people and may help those with sparse mustache hair. Only use a reputable brand of Minoxidil.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you have enjoyed this guide on how to fix a mustache gap and that it has given you some insight into the causes and potential solutions to this problem.
