If your beard isn’t growing as full and thick as you always imagined, and you’ve tried the best beard grooming products to help, in your frustration you may be tempted to turn to alternative ideas… like a derma roller.
What
A derma roller is a cylindrical device spiked with hundreds of tiny needles. When you roll it over your face, these needles create tiny punctures in your skin in a technique called micro needling. The idea is that these small punctures can stimulate skin repair and potentially enhance beard growth.
Why Use a Derma Roller?
Many people use derma rollers and micro needling for various skin issues such as acne scarring, rosacea scarring, hyper-pigmentation (dark patches), enlarged pores, and even wrinkles. The logic behind using a derma roller for beard growth is that good blood circulation and healthy skin are essential for good beard growth. Collagen, a collection of amino acids that nourishes hair follicles as well as skin, is also crucial.
How Might It Help Beard Growth?
When facial skin is punctured with micro needling, the body begins healing the damage by increasing blood flow under the skin. This brings a better flow of hair health nutrients like iron and hemoglobin, and boosts the skin’s production of collagen. Therefore, it makes sense to many guys that using the derma roller on their beard will increase the thickness and speed of hair growth. However, it has to be said, the evidence is anecdotal only. There’s no scientific trend or consensus saying that it really works.
What Does Science Say?
To our knowledge, there’s no reputable study saying a derma roller really benefits beard growth. Most of the studies on rollers and micro needling involve using the techniques on scalps for hair loss – and scalp hair is significantly different from beard hair. It also has to be said that these studies used rollers with needles that were significantly longer than the needles in a beard roller.
Is a Beard Roller Safe?
In a word, yes. As long as you don’t overdo it. More is not better. Going overboard can cause damage. Yes, there are some risks – you’re literally piercing your skin. Some guys report red, inflamed irritation from using a beard roller. For most, this problem will ease after a few days. But some find it recurs every time.
How to Use a Derma Roller for Beard Growth
If you’ve tried everything else to get your patchy beard to grow thicker – especially time, because longer hairs fill out a beard better – then you may be tempted to reach for the roller to awaken those sluggish follicles.
First, choose one with needles that are either 0.25mm or 0.5mm long. No more than 0.5mm. A 0.5mm roller can be used once, maybe twice, each week, no more. A 0.25mm can be used two to three times in a week. You need to allow your skin some time to repair before micro needling it again.
Before each use, clean your beard and face with a beard wash of impeccable quality. Clean the roller with rubbing alcohol, then wash it and rinse it. Don’t use rubbing alcohol last because that could sting when you use the roller. Cleanliness is vital because when you’re creating micro-punctures, you don’t want to be injecting unhygienic stuff.
Roll it back and forth across your beard area in multiple directions. Don’t press too hard. When covering one area, roll up and down 5 to 10 times, then sideways, then diagonally one way, then diagonally the other way. Don’t press too hard. Use just enough pressure for the needles to touch your skin surface, not stab deeply.
Using a Derma Roller for Beard Growth: Tips and Precautions
On your cheeks where hair can be a bit thinner, use less pressure and maybe press your tongue against the inside of your cheeks to help contact with the roller. When changing direction, lift the roller away. If you twist it, you risk ripping skin. If you’re bleeding or it hurts, stop immediately.
After using the derma roller, apply a nourishing beard oil packed with natural ingredients. Never use an alcohol-based product, for obvious (stinging) reasons. Ouch! Remember to wash and dip/roll the roller in rubbing alcohol after use.
Bottom Line
We favor the nourishing approach over and above the micro needling approach. If your beard doesn’t sprout as lushly and vigorously as you’d always hoped, first and foremost, be sure you have an excellent daily cleansing and grooming routine. Use a dedicated beard wash (not soap or shampoo), apply quality beard oil, and brush several times a day with an all-natural boar bristle beard brush. That’s a basic minimum for encouraging healthier skin, follicles, and beard hairs.
If you’re determined to use a derma roller for beard growth start gently and strictly follow the instructions. If you experience any negative side effects, stop using it immediately. In the end, The Rugged Bros salute all healthy beards, regardless of how “heavy” or thick they are. There’s a beard style to suit every guy, even those with fewer follicles and sparser whisker growth. We encourage you to find your style that works – and keep consulting the wisdom of fellow bearded bros to keep it looking and feeling totally awesome.
Conclusion
If your beard isn’t growing as full and thick as you’d like, and traditional grooming products haven’t worked, you might consider trying a derma roller. This device uses tiny needles to create micro-punctures in your skin, which can theoretically improve blood flow and collagen production, potentially supporting better beard growth.
However, it’s important to note that while many use derma rollers for various skin issues, evidence supporting their effectiveness for beard growth is largely anecdotal. Scientific studies on the subject are limited, especially concerning the shorter needles used for facial hair compared to those used on scalps.
FAQs
Does a derma roller really help beard growth?
There is no scientific consensus or reputable study confirming that derma rollers help beard growth. The evidence is mainly anecdotal.
How often should I use a derma roller on my beard?
A derma roller with 0.5mm needles can be used once or twice a week. A 0.25mm roller can be used two to three times a week. Allow your skin time to repair between sessions.
Are there any risks associated with using a derma roller?
Yes, using a derma roller can cause red, inflamed irritation and, if overused, can damage the skin. Cleanliness is crucial to avoid infection from the micro-punctures.
What should I do after us in After using a derma roller, apply a nourishing beard oil packed with natural ingredients. Clean the roller with rubbing alcohol and rinse it thoroughly before storing it .g a derma roller?
Can I use an alcohol-based product after micro needling?
No, avoid using alcohol-based products after micro needling as they can cause stinging and irritation. Use a gentle, natural beard oil instead.
What needle length should I choose for beard growth?
Choose needles that are either 0.25mm or 0.5mm long. Do not use needles longer than 0.5mm on your beard.
How do I maintain a healthy beard without a derma roller?
Maintain a healthy beard by having an excellent daily cleansing and grooming routine. Use a dedicated beard wash, apply quality beard oil, and brush several times a day with an all-natural boar bristle beard brush.