I'm going on a Trek re-enactment in a month or so, I've been growing a beard since last October to get in the "Pioneer" spirit. It's about 4" long now. Unfortunately more gray than brown. Anyway, every morning it gets washed, and occasionally conditioned, just like the hair on my head. I doubt the beard has anything that isn't also in my hair.

I also suspect that those of you who leave your toothbrush out any closer than about 6 feet to the toilet have more fecal matter on your toothbrush than I could have in my beard.