Nathaniel Beard from Aussie band The Beards can now add another string to his group's devastatingly simple premise. The champions of all things facial hair can proudly boast they are fighting on the side of skin cancer prevention.

Nathaniel Beard from Aussie band The Beards can now add another string to his group's devastatingly simple premise. The champions of all things facial hair can proudly boast they are fighting on the side of skin cancer prevention. Allan Reinikka

A UNIVERSITY of Southern Queensland professor's research into skin cancer prevention is curling whiskers across the globe.

Physicist Professor Alfio Parisi's study into the protection against ultraviolet radiation offered by beards and moustaches showed between 50 and 95 per cent of UV rays could be blocked by a well-bristled chin.

His work, published in the Radiation Protection Dosimetry journal, is providing men the world over with an excuse to banish the razor.

Especially in Australia.

The strange UV-measuring contraption soaks up rays under the blazing Toowoomba sun. Contributed

"As we know, Australia has the highest instance rate for skin cancer in the world," Prof Parisi said.

"The question that arose was how much protection is provided to the face by beards and moustaches.

"We got a couple of beards made of human hair (ordered from Sydney), put them on mannequin head forms and measured the UV underneath the beard."

Beneath the blazing Toowoomba sun, the strange cranial creations were regularly rotated while measurements of UV seepage were recorded.

Tiny UV measuring devices called dosimeters were placed just below the hairline to calculate the protection.

"They're little badges of polymer that deteriorate with UV," Prof Parisi said.

"By measuring their deterioration, we could see how much protection the beard provided."

What Prof Parisi found will no doubt enter the male arsenal (man-munition?) of spousal excuses for failing to maintain a slick-skinned face.

"Sunscreen, if applied properly, has a protection factor of 30 - and 50 has just been released as well," he said.

Depending on length and density, a beard gives a UV protection factor of between two and 21.

"It means a beard would provide protection from between 50 and 95% of UVs," Prof Parisi said.

"Of course, there are some provisos.

"Parts of the face not covered by a beard or moustache definitely require other protection strategies.

"The beard does provide some protection, but the presence of facial hair should not be taken as a reason to spend more time in the sun."

Let it grow, gents. Let it grow.

Love or loathe beards? Where do you stand? Leave us a comment below and start the debate!

Social media

Beard-brandishing proponents of the facial hair movement and the glossy-chinned men and women who despise them have plenty to say on social media.

Here are some of the best calls of late:

Beard sweat is the best aphrodisiac next to crushed Doritos in skin folds and calling your mom during the middle of a first date.

@Derekexplosm

Well it's almost been 11 months since I started growing my beard, and it's been fun. But all great things must come to an end. It's getting warmer out and I'm ready for change. But before I take it all off, I have one thing I've been wanting to try: Super Handlebars.

Tim Warren (FB)

Okay turns out three out of my four brothers are part gingers. Red beards ew wtf hahaha

@krisqueesha

Grey Hair in my Beard....life is stressing me out

Ollie HoodRaised Woods (FB)

Every time I see a girl tweet about their love for beards, I feel obligated to send a pic of mine

@dorianemar

Sometimes I mistake fat men's chinstrap beards as just shadows but honestly it's hard to tell

@Heniff1

Shaved my beard off, my face is cold

@Jeffrey Wood

Cats do not like men with long beards, especially long dark beards... Cats are indifferent to men with shorter beards.

@lilytait

Sleeve tatts and beards EVERYWHERE. Disgusting.

@Gleekyboi

Guys without beards are disgusting. #sorryimnotsorry

@amehhhhhh