19 , 20 That said, further research has refuted this, showing no difference in bacterial shedding between bearded and clean‐shaven subjects, although a nonsignificant trend to shed more bacteria was seen, and this trend terminated with addition of a surgical mask. 21 Infection prevention and control aside, there are many complex personal and social reasons why people grow beards, including religious and cultural commitments, for example in Sikhism.
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Hair today, gone tomorrow: How personal protective equipment guidance changed doctor's facial hair during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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This may provide some insight into why there was a small trend for more theatre staff such as anesthetists and surgeons to change their facial hair, compared to GP's and radiologists, however, the numbers in this study were too small to make generalizations and further investigation with increased statistical power would be required to draw more definitive conclusions.