Dr. Allan Peterkin is a physician, author and professor. He has published 14 books, most recently The Bearded Gentlemen: A Style Guide To Shaving Face. He is currently working with Dove Men+Care and helping dudes care for their faces.

1. Thanks to all the facial hair in Game of Thrones, we assume that everyone had the ability to grow a beard. What were the options for lads with scant facial hair in the Dark Ages? 

There are very few records on hairstyles from the Dark Ages, so we rely on approximations from artists of later eras. Courtiers and royalty sported a variety of facial hairstyles, but often long mustaches predominated as long tresses were associated with great honor. For much of the time period, the only men who were clean-shaven without any facial hair at all were slaves.

2. How would a “Soul Patch” have been received? What are the origins of the Soul Patch? 

The Soul Patch is a style staple for the collegiate set. While it used to be considered a man’s first step toward facial hair, it has begun to gain support as a simple way to experiment with facial hair without going all the way to a full beard.

3. I’d like to “axe” you a question. Is everyone bearded, or at least hairy because the only way to shave was with the blade of their sword? 

While shaving was not easy in the dark ages, it was possible. Facial hair at that time was made fashionable by royalty, and short, cropped hair was a sign of subservience (and thus all slaves were clean shaven). Among the first razors were iron blades that came about by 500 BCE, when Alexander the Great insisted his soldiers were clean-shaven to avoid any beard-grabbing in combat. These razors tended to rust and grow blunt easily, cutting those who used them and killing many with tetanus. The wealthy had personal, intricate blades that their servants used to shave them. For others, barber shops did exist, and also served as a hub for gossip and socializing. Some like Julius Caesar took a more extreme approach and had beard hairs plucked out individually with tweezers.

4. Of all the facial hair styles on Game of Thrones, which was the most preferred in that era, and what character’s hair would translate as “cool” to the present day?

Oberyn’s mustache and nearly hairless chin or Tormund’s full, long beard would have been the most typical/popular during the Middle Ages. It’s highly unlikely that the ruling royal family would have been clean shaven as the Lannister’s are!

Presently, beards like Jon Snow’s and Daario Naaharis’ have been sported by men of all ages, but for the coming summer months, Jamie Lannister’s clean shaven face is very on trend. With this look, it’s important to use a moisturizer with SPF like Dove Men+Care Hydrate+ Face Lotion. This lotion makes it easy to keep the skin moisturized and cared for while offering protection against the strong summer sun.

5. In Game of Thrones, we see plenty of dudes with unruly facial hair hooking up with hot babes. When did women become so adverse to immense facial hair and what spurred the transition? 

One would think that most women prefer a clean shaven guy, since facial hair can sometimes be irritating to a woman’s skin. However, recent studies have shown that women are actually most attracted to a man with heavy stubble.* In the study both men and women rated full beards highest for parenting ability and healthiness, and masculinity ratings increased linearly as facial hair increased. So those hairy faces in Game of Thrones do actually attract women.