Bead care may seem simple to others, but some need more effort to keep their beard dense and healthy. One of the things people may be seeing online or even hearing from a friend’s recommendation is by using derma rollers or beard rollers.
What’s even intriguing is that Science may be supporting beard rollers to promote healthy beard hair growth. Let’s find out what a beard roller is and if they promote beard growth in this article.
What is a Beard Roller?
In the world of health and beauty, people have turned to derma rollers to treat acne scars, large pores, and wrinkles. This process is also called microneedling. Microneedling is a derma treatment that uses rollers surrounded by small titanium or stainless steel needles. These needles pierce the outer layer of the skin to promote collagen production in the skin.
Collagen is an essential protein that our body produces and uses to promote healthy hair and skin. It keeps natural moisture that helps to increase hair volume and holds the hair together. A healthy amount of collagen in our body means healthy hair, which can even translate into facial hair!
Do Beard Rollers Promote Beard Growth?
There has been a study noting that microneedling can promote scalp hair growth, but not much about the derma rollers for beard growth [1].
There was a study suggesting that minoxidil, a hair-loss medicine, may improve beard growth slightly [2]. Furthermore, there is another study in 2017 that also suggests that microneedling had a promising effect in treating hair loss when paired with minoxidil and topical steroids [3].
What’s guaranteed is that using microneedling can help to improve the production of collagen and keratin production. This is also one of the biggest reasons why the beard roller’s growing popularity is increasing these days.
One of the key factors one needs to note in beard care is that healthy circulation is crucial to promote healthy hair growth and skin.
What are the Risks of Using Beard Rollers for Beard Growth?
As explained earlier, a beard roller is a microneedling treatment, which means it uses needles that prick the skin, which could mean that there are some risks associated with them. Users need to be careful as the initial use may cause some skin irritation, like redness and inflammation. But these irritations are expected to disappear after a few days.
Furthermore, as microneedling pierces through the skin, users may expect that there is some minor bleeding in the areas where they apply the beard rollers. If excessive bleeding occurs, then it means that there is too much pressure put on the skin.
Helpful Tips for Using Beard Rollers for Beard Growth
Take note that needle sizes vary, which should determine the frequency of using beard rollers. For larger needles or 0.5mm, users should only use them once or twice a week. Meanwhile, smaller needles, or 0.25mm, can be used more often. You must allow time for your skin to repair itself after the treatment.
Moreover, if you are using beard rollers for the first time, look for those that have fewer needles on their surface. You don’t want your skin to feel too irritated with more needles pulling on your skin. It is also important to wash your skin and your beard thoroughly before the microneedling treatment.
Ensure that you apply the right amount of pressure, as the needles only need to touch the surface of your skin. When doing it on your cheeks, it can be helpful to fill each with air just like how you do it when shaving so that the roller is applied on a firmer surface.
Apply the beard roller in a consistent pattern throughout your beard. Put the pressure back and forth in horizontal and vertical positions and diagonal lines to ensure that you have the right balance for treating all parts of your beard.
It is also important to avoid areas of the face with acne, as it can cause more harm than good to your skin. Piercing through your acne may spread bacteria from other parts of your face and could lead to a skin infection.
Lastly, proper cleaning of your beard roller is critical, and ensure that you dip them in alcohol or spray them with a sanitizing solution. Replacing your beard roller every few months is also good practice to do.
To achieve better results, consider using minoxidil on your beard once or twice a week on days when you don’t use the beard roller.
Bottomline: Beard Roller for Beard Growth
Microneedling has been used for years to promote healthy skin and hair growth. However, the study proving the success of beard rollers in beard growth is still limited as of this writing.
Anyone who uses a beard roller for beard growth needs to set realistic expectations until more studies have proven its effectiveness.
Lastly, if you decide to use a beard roller, then be sure to follow some of the helpful tips we shared above to maximize your beard growth potential.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Dhurat, R., Sukesh, M., Avhad, G., Dandale, A., Pal, A., & Pund, P. (2013). A Randomized Evaluator Blinded Study of Effect of Microneedling in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Trichology, 5(1), 6-11. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7753.114700
- Sittichai Ingprasert, Chuchai Tanglertsampan Nalintip Tangphianphan, Chinnawat Reanmanee. (2016, February 19). Efficacy and safety of minoxidil 3% lotion for beard enhancement: A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study. Wiley Online Library. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1346-8138.13312
- Fertig RM, Gamret AC, Cervantes J, Tosti A. Microneedling for the treatment of hair loss? J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018 Apr;32(4):564-569. doi: 10.1111/jdv.14722. Epub 2017 Dec 21. PMID: 29194786.
