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When David Letterman and Conan O'Brien returned to work at the beginning of the month, they had not only gone without writers for more than eight weeks – they had also clearly gone without razors. Both funnymen boasted bushy beards and mustaches that were Chia Pet cute, if not dishevelled and distracting.

One week later, Mr. Letterman bid adieu to his facial hair after admitting that he'd grown fond of it. “It's the biggest mistake I ever made,” he said of his freshly shaven face.

It's been three weeks since the defuzzing and Mr. O'Brien has yet to follow suit. His work has not suffered because of the beard; in fact, he wears it well.

Facial hair is a bugaboo that prompts polarizing preconceptions about a man's credibility and professionalism.

While beards and mustaches are a welcome way to define your image, they should never look scruffy or scary.

Those who already have full-grown fuzz need not work as much as those considering a shaving sabbatical. Getting beyond the 5 o'clock shadow is inevitably awkward.

Alex Antebi, who at 26 is the youngest winner in the imperial category of the 2007 World Beard and Moustache Championships, uses the term “molestache” (he does not take credit for it). Alternatively, he says that properly grown facial hair can be very powerful.

“It's an extension of one's manhood,” he says from Los Angeles, where he rocks out as the front man of a band called Conquistador. “And because no two mustaches are alike, it's an extension of one's individuality.”

Granted, as a musician, Mr. Antebi has creative licence to sport whatever 'stache he wants. Still, he insists, “There's a dignity and a history and a hairitage [wordplay intended] that's communicated through a mustache.”

Men's image consultant Damon Allan applauds Mr. Letterman and Mr. O'Brien for going the caveman route primarily because it drew attention. “In their industry, different sells and attracts, which equals ratings,” he says by e-mail.

But he adds that men wanting to experiment with goatees or mutton chops should proceed with caution. “Growing or having facial hair is a touchy subject if you haven't already established yourself in the field you work in,” Mr. Allan says. “Once you are well entrenched in the company and your personality has been defined, you may venture into growing some facial hair such as a beard or a goatee.”

Suitable is going to take a more tolerant approach: Don't feel forced to shave your bristly badge of pride if you think it defines who you are.

The caveat is that it must be maintained with the perfection that you hopefully apply to your work. Mr. Antebi's advice is to wash your face regularly and apply sun block, because even skin covered by hair can get burned. One secret among facial hair champions is that beer makes a mustache easier to manipulate, although I wonder whether this is just an

excuse to drink during a competition.

Beard trimmers are a must. My bearded father swears by his Philips QT4045. For men looking to pull a Letterman, I've been told that the new Braun Pulsonic shaving system is as good as it gets. (Bear in mind, I have not tested these products.)

But perhaps your best bet is a traditional barber. The Terminal Barber Shop in downtown Toronto attracts many Bay Street types. It dates back to 1925 although it was taken over three years ago by Karim Saaden and Omar Mahrouk, who brought in vintage chairs from the early 20th century to restore the old-fashioned charm.

Mr. Saaden recommends coming in every two weeks for shaping ($10). The hot lather shave ($17) is the most popular and can last up to three days. “We practise the dying art,” says Mr. Saaden, with no intentional reference to Sweeney Todd. Between visits, he encourages men to use olive oil soap, because it helps cleanse pores, and cocoa butter as a moisturizer.

One last note: The month-long charity event known as Movember, in which clean-shaven dudes grow facial hair to raise awareness for men's health issues, means that November has now become a time when human Chia Pets sprout up in offices around the world.

Colleagues should not discourage valiant Van Dycks and altruistic imperials. As Mr. Antebi says, “A mustache is like a good wine; it grows better with age.”