Derma rolling is an affordable, minimally invasive hair growth technique. Derma rolling for hair has been shown to help men with male pattern baldness improve their scalp hair loss when combined with Minoxidil and other hair growth treatments [1-3].
So can beard rollers do the same for beard hair loss? In this article, we’ll look at:
While no scientific studies have investigated the effectiveness of beard rollers specifically, there is evidence to suggest they work for scalp hair loss — and the same mechanism may also apply to beard hair.
One study revealed that derma rolling (also known as microneedling) could boost the effects of Minoxidil [2]. Average hair count was four times higher in those using microneedling and Minoxidil at the same time, compared with those using Minoxidil only.
In addition, 82% of hair loss patients who added derma rolling to their hair loss routine said their hair improved by more than 50%. By comparison, just 4.5% of Minoxidil-only users reported this level of growth.
Whether these same results can translate to beard growth hasn’t yet been clinically tested. But beard rollers may improve the absorption of Minoxidil for beard growth, which has been shown to be an effective treatment [4].
So it’s possible that a beard roller could enhance your facial hair if you use it in conjunction with Minoxidil.
Beard rolling doesn’t work overnight. Like all hair loss treatments, you need to give it at least a few months for the results to kick in.
One study found that microneedling with Minoxidil for scalp hair could enhance hair growth within just one week, compared with Minoxidil alone [2].
However, it’s more likely to take three or four months to see sustained beard growth following microneedling treatment.
Using a beard roller every day isn’t recommended. Beard rollers create hundreds to thousands of tiny wounds in your skin, which prompts your body to produce collagen and start the healing process.
Beard rolling once or even twice a week gives your skin time to heal in between sessions. But if you use a derma roller every day, you’re not allowing for that crucial healing time.
Beard rolling has relatively few side effects, but you might experience:
If your derma roller isn’t clean, you may also be at risk of infection. So it’s really important to clean and disinfect your derma roller between uses.
Yes, it’s possible to use a beard roller too often. As well as increasing the risk of pain and discomfort, you could also damage your skin and create scar tissue which can inhibit hair growth. So try to limit your beard rolling to the maximum limits outlined above, and never use a derma roller more than every other day.
Clinical photographic evidence showing the effects of beard rolling is limited. So what does the anecdotal evidence show?
Youtuber Thom Gardner shared his beard-rolling results after three and six months:
The impact on Thom was minimal. Speaking about his results, he said:
“In relation to achieving my goal of filling out my patchy facial hair parts, I don’t feel like this experiment was a success for me at all. Am I glad that I gave the beard roller a shot? 100%.”
Other people have had greater success using a beard roller. Greg Berzinsky (who’s known for his full, lustrous beard) says he noticed a 5% increase in new facial hair growth after six months of beard rolling:
Victor Emery has seen even more substantial results after using a combination of beard rolling and Minoxidil. Here are his results before and after three months of use:
Consistency and patience are key to achieving results from beard rolling. Some people see results within three months, while it may take longer for others to get the same gains.
Because beard rolling is a relatively low-risk hair growth technique, there aren’t too many downsides to using a beard roller. However, there are some cautionary points to consider before you get started:
These downsides can be mitigated and managed, so if you’re keen to try beard rolling, don’t let them put you off.
Microneedling is a common technique that’s widely used in the cosmetic industry. It helps certain treatments penetrate the skin barrier that is otherwise poorly absorbed.
While there’s minimal evidence to support the use of derma rollers for your beard, the risks are low and beard rollers are very affordable. So there’s no harm in adding beard rollers to your facial hair growth routine, especially if you’re already using Minoxidil.
Make sure to manage your expectations of beard rolling. Most people only see minimal improvements, often just the transition from thin vellus hairs to terminal hairs.
A beard transplant is the best way to get a fuller, thicker beard. Beard transplants look completely natural, and while they’re more expensive than derma rolling, they often give much better, more consistent results.
Some people also use derma rollers after a hair transplant to stimulate further growth.
For advice on tackling your limited beard growth, book a free consultation at the Wimpole Clinic. We can talk you through your options and help you find the right beard growth solution.
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