We all know that men with beards seem more masculine and dominant. After all, they’re letting the world know that they’re not afraid to take charge. But what does this say about their personalities and how they interact with other people? Scientists have been finding out some interesting things about how facial hair impacts the way we interpret certain emotions.

Traditionally, Beards Make You Seem More Aggressive have thought that beards evolved as a sign of aggression and dominance. However, recent studies have shown that this idea isn’t necessarily true. Rather, the main reason that men grow beards is to communicate their status and position within a group.

For example, a study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that women rated bearded men as older and higher in social status than clean-shaven men. This is because women tend to prefer mates who are different from the rest of the population, so beards can act as a signal that you’re different from other men.

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Another study conducted by psychologists at the University of New England compared how participants rated bearded and clean-shaven faces when they were frowning or smiling. The results showed that when a face was sporting a beard, it was perceived as more aggressive and masculine—especially when the man’s expression was angry or threatening. However, when a face was sporting a smile, the beard was seen as more prosocial and warm.

This doesn’t mean that you should go out and start growing a beard just to look more aggressive and dominant, though. The key is to find a balance that works for you and makes you feel confident and comfortable. In fact, some people may find that a clean-shaved look is more attractive for certain situations—for instance, if you’re trying to impress someone in a professional setting where you would be expected to work as part of a team.