Beards are back in fashion. In fact, according to a study published in 2017, men who had a beard were seen as more attractive than those without. The same year, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that facial hair helps reduce stress.
However, to grow this perfect beard, you might be wondering if a derma roller can help you achieve your desired look? In this article, we look at what a derma roller is and if it can be effective for beard growth. Let’s dive in.
What Is A Derma Roller?
A derma roller is a small device with an array of tiny needles attached to it. It can be used for various purposes such as skin exfoliation or stimulating blood circulation.
Derma rollers have existed since the 1950s but their popularity has increased over time. Today, there are many types of derma rollers available on the market. Some of these include:
Manual Derma Roller
Electric Derma Roller
Hydraulic Derma Roller
Water-Powered Derma Roller
Ultrasonic Derma Roller
Laser Derma Roller
Acupressure Derma Roller
Foam Roller
Deep Tissue Roller
Massage Roller
Derma rollers are designed to stimulate skin cells and promote cell growth. This means that they can help improve your appearance and even help prevent premature aging.
These devices are also useful for other purposes such as improving blood flow or reducing cellulite. Derma rollers have also been used in the past to treat acne scars, pores, and wrinkles and this is known as micro-needling.
Micro-needling is one way to use a derma roller. It involves using a needle-like tool to prick the surface of the skin. This causes bleeding, which stimulates new collagen production. As a result, your skin will appear smoother and healthier.
Collagen has amino acids that hair follicle cells make use of to produce proteins, and this promotes hair growth and strengthens the hair.
As a result of this, derma rollers have also become known as ‘beard rollers’ and they can help hair growth in several ways, especially when combined with other products.
How Do Derma Rollers Help Beard Growth?
The first thing to know about derma rollers is that they work by creating tiny channels in the skin. This allows oxygen and nutrients to reach the hair follicles.
This improves blood circulation and encourages the growth of new hairs. A derma roller has therefore been used to try and enhance the appearance of beards. This includes making them thicker and fuller. It could also potentially make your beard grow faster.
However, although micro-needling has been effective in improving skin health, and there has been research into the success of micro-needling to promote scalp hair, there are few studies available on the success of derma rollers for beard growth.
When it comes to beard growth, there have been studies into how minoxidil (Rogaine) can help, and another study found micro-needling could treat hair loss when paired with minoxidil and other topical steroids.
Moreover, when it comes to making collagen and keratin production active, micro-needling can improve your beard and how fast it grows by boosting blood flow to the area.
Finally, a derma roller can help to activate stem-cell growth and healthy circulation is vital for hair to grow and skin to be healthy.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Derma Rolling Device On My Beard?
Improving The Look Of Your Beard – A derma roller can be used to create small lines or grooves in your facial skin. This helps to give your beard a more defined shape and makes it look fuller.
Promoting Stronger Hair Growth – Derma rollers can stimulate collagen and keratin production. This means your beard will appear thicker and fuller.
Boosting Your Confidence – Having a well-groomed beard can boost your self-confidence. This is because it gives you a better sense of style and grooming.
Treating Hair Loss – Micro-needling can help to prevent hair loss and encourage the growth of new hair.
Activating Stem Cell Growth – Stem cells are responsible for repairing damaged tissue and growing new cells. When activated, stem cells can repair damage to the skin and encourage new hair growth.
Risks Of Using A Derma Roller On Your Beard
Risks of using a derma roller for your beard include:
Redness And Inflammation – The redness caused by the derma roller may last up to two weeks after treatment. However, most people experience only mild discomfort during the procedure.
Scars – Micro-needling may cause minor scarring. If you notice any signs of scarring, stop using the device immediately. You should consult your doctor if these symptoms persist.
Pain – Some men find derma rollers painful. Therefore, you should always seek medical advice before undergoing the procedure.
Infection – There is some risk of infection from using a derma roller. Make sure you clean the area thoroughly afterward.
Minor Bleeding- If this bleeding is excessive, it might be a sign you are pressing the roller too hard against your skin.
If you do decide to undergo a derma roller treatment, make sure you discuss all risks and benefits with your doctor beforehand. You might also experience some everyday mild side effects such as skin irritation, but these should disappear within a few days.
Tips For Using A Derma Roller
The needle size on different derma rollers varies. Larger needles of around 0.5 mm should be used only a couple of times a week. Smaller needles of 0.25 mm can be used slightly more often. You might want to allow your skin to repair itself between treatments.
When starting, search for a derma roller with fewer needles on its surface, such as this roller from Koi Beauty. More needles increase the chances of you pulling your skin. Once you and your skin feel ready to add more needles, you can upgrade to something more along the lines of this Roller Stimulator from Wattne.
Wash your skin beforehand and clean your beard before you begin micro-needling.
Apply as much pressure as you need to keep the needles on the skin’s surface. When micro-needling your cheeks, it might help to blow each cheek and fill it with air, just like you do when shaving. This gives the roller a firmer surface.
Roll the roller back and forth in a horizontal and vertical line. Use diagonal lines in each direction for a consistent pattern over your beard.
Avoid micro-needling if you have acne, as this can cause further harm to your skin and spread bacteria from blemishes and sores to other sections of your face.
Clean your derma roller every time you use it by dipping it in alcohol or spraying it with a special sanitizing solution.
You should replace your derma roller every couple of months to keep It in good condition.
You should try the derma roller yourself to see how much it can fill in some patchy areas of your beard. Although it does not work for everyone, it might work for you.
Remember that your genetics and other factors you cannot control will determine the type of beard you can successfully grow and maintain using a derma roller.
To help your beard grow with a derma roller, you could try using minoxidil on your beard a couple of times a week. Ensure these days are days you don’t use the derma roller.
How To Use Your Derma Roller To Grow Your Beard At Home?
The best way to use your derma roller is to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. However, you can still get the most benefit from your derma roller even if you deviate from the recommended application.
If you follow the instructions correctly, you can achieve great results. You can use your derma roller at any stage during your beard growth cycle.
However, you may experience less success if you use it too early in the growth cycle. The reason for this is that the follicles are very small and fragile at this point. If you use your derma roller late in the cycle, they will be large enough to withstand the stress caused by the roller.
In addition, you should avoid using your derma roller when you have an active infection or inflammation. This is because the roller can irritate the area and cause more damage than good.
How Do I Choose A Derma Roller?
Choosing a beard derma roller can be tricky, and you might struggle with what to look for. Here are our top tips:
Check the Needle Length
You need to choose a needle that measures less than 0.75 mm yet is longer than 0.25 mm. The bigger the needle, the faster and better results you will end up with.
The minimum size of a 0.25 mm needle will puncture your skin and encourage blood circulation, but often, it won’t be big enough to encourage beard growth as it won’t be able to touch the hair follicles.
If you are aiming for beard growth, you will need to choose a derma roller in the 0.50 mm – 0.75 mm range for best results. Anything larger than 0.75mm is better suited for use on scalp hair to fight hair loss rather than on facial hair.
Look at the Needle Material
There are two materials that the needles are made from, and these, include stainless steel and titanium. Both of these are safe to use, yet they have their pros and cons.
Titanium needles are usually much higher quality as they are firmer and cause less damage that could lead to infections or injury. Although surgical steel needles might save you some money, these needles are not as firm.
Look at the Shape of the Needle
Different types of derma rollers have varying needle shapes, so you should do your research before buying them.
Round-tipped roller needles are best for acne scarring, wrinkles, or other hard skin surfaces. Flat beard derma rollers are good for hair loss because they have a wider contact surface.
Check the Number of Needles On the Roller
The more needles your derma roller has, the more likely you will end up with better results. This is because it can cover a larger area in much less time. The number of needles ranges from around 190 to 540.
On the other hand, if your derma roller has fewer needles, the safer the derma roller will be. You should also consider the correlation between the number of needles and their size.
The majority of the time, if the derma roller has more needles, the smaller the needles will be in return.
Checking the Size and Grip Of the Beard Derma Roller
Derma rollers come in different sizes, but most people usually use the standard size. Smaller derma rollers can help treat smaller and more sensitive areas of the face and beard, and larger ones can be used on larger areas.
Derma rollers should be easy to hold and easily maneuver around the face. Consider this when shopping and trying out models yourself.
Alternative Methods Of Growing Your Beard
Using a derma roller is not the only way of growing your beard, and some of the following natural methods can help you on your way to a fuller, healthier face of hair:
Increase the amount of exercise you do to improve circulation to your face and help your beard grow.
Eat a balanced diet. This should be focused on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and plenty of food sources with iron and zinc.
Get plenty of sleep and learn to manage your stress from home, work, or school. A healthier and calmer body might be able to grow a thicker and much healthier beard.
Drink lots of water. This helps flush toxins out of your system so they don’t build up in your bloodstream.
Avoid smoking cigarettes. Smoking has been shown to reduce testosterone levels and lower sperm counts. These two things combined make it harder for men to grow healthy beards.
Try to limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol dehydrates your body and reduces testosterone levels. This makes it harder to grow a thick beard.
Don’t forget about your skin! Make sure you’re taking care of your skin and eating well. Your skin is one of the largest organs in your body and plays a huge role in keeping your entire body functioning properly, including growing facial hair.
How To Care For Your Beard?
Beard growth is a slow process, and getting the desired results takes time. But with the right products, you can grow your beard faster and much healthier than it ever was before!
If you’re looking for an effective way to speed up the process and keep it looking trim and at its best, you should follow our advice.
Use Beard Oil – The best beard oil for men is made from the purest ingredients. Contrary to popular belief, and despite often being referred to as beard growth oil, beard oil does not speed up facial hair growth.
However, it does moisturize the skin, keeping the often dry, itchy areas beneath the beard soothed and moisturized. This helps a beard to get stronger.
The oil is actually a mixture of a carrier oil and other essential oils, which is why there are so many different types and variations on the market. It can be applied directly onto the skin or beard area.
Beard oil has been used for centuries to keep beards healthy and strong. It is made from the seeds of plants like jojoba, castor bean, olive, almond, coconut, avocado, walnut, and honey.
Use Your Face Shape To Shape Your Beard
A beard should match the surrounding environment. Do some research about which beards suit which face shapes, and you’ll be able to get your beard looking ten times better, and it’ll start to feel like your own in no time.
Be Patient- You need to have self-restraint when it comes to growing a beard. For the first few weeks, you need to resist the urge to style and trim too soon.
Before a sculptor can create a work of art, they must first source a big chunk of rock or metal to work with. The same is true when sculpting your beard.
Create a Trim Schedule and Learn To Trim Properly- Trimming is essential to have a well-groomed, tidy beard. Even if you are planning to grow it out, you should always invest in a high-quality face trimmer, as it will make your beard significantly easier to manage.
This is my tried and true trimmer that I have used for years. It is the best trimmer I’ve ever used. I’ve even traveled overseas with it in my baggage on a plane. I love the feel of it in my hand. I use it for trimming my beard, to clean up around my ears, and my neckline.
Wash Your Beard- When caring for your beard, you should always ensure you are washing it correctly and regularly, especially when you first start growing. This is because trapped skin cells and food can make your beard itchy. Remember, it’s not just about the beard hair, but also the skin under this.
To wash your beard properly, you should scrub the beard a couple of times a day with beard shampoo and conditioner, before patting your beard dry. Using the towel too much can lead to split ends and too much-unwanted frizz.
Apply a small amount of beard shampoo, around the size of one dime to your hands before washing gently, massaging into your facial hair.
Once the shampoo is lathered, rinse with warm water.
Pat dry and follow by applying some beard oil.
Train Your Beard- Trimming your beard regularly will help you keep your chosen beard shape, but trimming is not the one thing that you will need to take good care of your face fuzz.
Brushing or combing your beard every day will wrangle stubborn hairs and train them to grow downwards.
Like applying beard oil, you should always brush or comb your beard after a shower or bath. You can also use a soft-hold styling wax to help tame flyaway hairs and keep your beard in shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Beard Derma Roller?
The beard derma roller is a product that has been gaining popularity among men who want to grow their beards faster and fuller.
The roller is used to stimulate hair follicles on your face, which helps you grow thicker and longer beards.
Can I Use My Derma Roller For Beard Every Day?
Yes, you can use your derma roller every day. However, you must follow the instructions provided by your medical professional first. Some people may experience redness, swelling, itching, or tenderness after using the derma roller.
If these symptoms occur, you need to stop using the product immediately. In addition, you should always wash your hands thoroughly before touching any part of your face.
As a rule of thumb, if the needles on the derma roller are 0.25 mm, they can be used daily. However, if you use a 0.5 mm, this should be used no more than every two days.
How Long Does It Take To Grow A Full Beard With A Derma Roller?
Some have reported it can take up to 6 months for a beard to grow using a derma roller, and that is why you mustn’t rely solely on the method.
Ensure you follow our alternative methods of growing a beard too, and take time to care for your facial hair.
Does Using a Derma Roller Hurt?
If you are using a roller with 0.25 mm needles, this should be painless apart from perhaps some mild skin irritation.
However, if you use needles that are 0.5 mm, although it does not hurt a lot, you are more likely to experience some pinching. With needles any bigger, you might feel some kind of hair-pulling.
Final Thoughts
We hope after reading this article you have learned the advantages and disadvantages of using a derma roller to encourage beard growth.
Although few studies prove it’s a success, it has been known to facilitate a healthier, fuller, and longer beard if used alongside beard oil and proper beard maintenance.
Remember, growing a beard takes time, and patience is the most important thing you need. So hang in there, and you’ll have that thick beard soon!
My name is Doug, and I've been growing a beard on and off for many years now.
I've not had a perfect journey on the road to growing a beard. I've spent more time than I want to admit learning about growing a beard. I'm not one of those blessed with perfect beard-growing genes. So, I've encountered many frustrating and challenging obstacles along the way.
I hope some of my mistakes and victories along the way will help you on your journey to your perfect beard. Of course, reach out if I can help and share this content with your friends that are beginning or struggling on their journey as well.
Beards are becoming increasingly popular and fashionable. This is because they help men feel more confident and look better than ever before. Contents show 1…
