Minoxidil isn’t the only product that can help to promote facial hair. As a matter of fact, it has been proven that microneedling for beard growth is effective as well. Especially when combined with using topical minoxidil.
Let me start off by explaining what a dermaroller is, what it does, and why derma rolling and beard growth are connected with each other.
What is a dermaroller?
A dermaroller is a skin care device used to perform derma rolling or microneedling. It is made out of a handle and a dermaroller head. There are a multitude of dermaroller heads with different needle lengths. The needle length and, thus, which head you choose is dependent on your goal for microneedling.
This particular practice helps regenerate the skin, treat acne scarring, and reduce signs of aging.
Does dermarolling work for beard growth?
Yes, there is such as a thing as a dermaroller beard. And it is scientifically proven that derma rollers work effectively to promote facial hair growth.[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3746236/
Does dermarolling for hair growth work?
It has been shown in human studies that dermarolling can be effective at promoting hair growth.
One study looked at the response to microneedling treatment in men who suffered from androgenetic alopecia who didn’t respond to conventional therapy.
They reached the following conclusion:
Treatment with microneedling showed an accelerated response with addition of microneedling procedure leading to significant scalp density.
This is the first case series to report the boosting effect of microneedling with respect to new hair follicle stimulation in patients with androgenetic alopecia who were poor responders to conventional therapy.[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4458936/
Another systematic review looked at the use of microneedling in hair loss disorders.
This is what they found to be true:
Clinical studies demonstrate generally favorable results for microneedling (MN) as an adjunct therapy for androgenic alopecia (AGA) and alopecia areata (AA).
However, data are of relatively low quality. Significant heterogeneity exists across interventions,
comparators, and MN procedures. Large-scale randomized controlled trials are recommended to discern the effects of MN as a standalone and adjunct therapy, determine best practices, and establish long-term safety.[3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8776974/
To summarize, it seems as microneedling for hair growth can be effective to induce hair development in humans.
This means that microneedling for hair loss should always be included into someone’s regimen to combat hair loss.
What does a dermaroller do?
A dermaroller is used to practice microneedling.
Microneedling is a dermatological procedure that’s minimally invasive. It works by rolling fine needles over the skin in order to puncture the stratum corneum.
That’s why microneedling for beard growth is effective. This therapy is practiced in order to induce collagen formation, neovascularization, and growth factor production of the topically treated area(s).[4]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29194786/
When derma rolling, the following three things occur:
- the skin releases components that stimulate growth
- New blood vessels are formed in the skin
- the skin creates more collagen
Studies have shown that a combination of microneedling and using minoxidil have produced the best results in regard to promoting hair growth. Thus, logically, a combination of microneedling and minoxidil is best to promote facial hair growth as well.
So instead of simply using minoxidil, consider using a dermaroller for beard growth.
What makes a good dermaroller?
Three main things that a good derma roller should possess are:
- Needle material
- Replaceable heads
- Needle length
Needle material
The needle material should be either titanium or stainless steel. Titanium is the best since it is stronger and therefore will last longer. Not to mention that the needles won’t bend, so the needles will be precise instead of potentially making wounds and scars due to being bent!
Replaceable heads
Replaceable heads are great if you’re eco-conscious and, thus, can simply replace the head instead of needing to throw the whole thing away. Simply place a new head on the handle once the needles become dull or bent. Not only is it eco-friendly, it will save you some money as well along the way.
Needle length
The needle length of your dermaroller is important to ensure your safety as well as its effectivity for your specific skin desires.
It is generally recommended that you stay between 0.2 and 1 mm of needle length for usage at home, as these needle lengths are reckoned safe for beginners and home usage.
Dermaroller needle lengths
Differences between the needle lengths of dermarollers are plenty. And the length of the needle you best use depends on two things.
- The thickness of the skin of the body area you want to dermaroll
- The goal you want to accomplish rolling
There are 0.2 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3 mm micro derma rollers.
Differences between dermaroller needle lengths
The differences between different needle lengths depend on the goal of micro needling.
0.5 mm needle length is the bare minimum to stimulate collagen synthesis in our skin. That’s why needles below 0.5 mm are not considered for anti aging purposes.
In order to reduce scars and wrinkles, at least 0.5 mm of needle length is needed. Depending on the deepness of the scars, a larger needle length is appropriate, such as 1.0 mm or even 1.5 mm and above.
The desired needle length for anti aging purposes will be different from the best needle length to remove deep scars.
Consider using longer needles if you’re going to be rolling over body areas where the skin is thicker, such as the back, stomach, or thighs. As short needles will not penetrate the skin in those areas sufficiently.
When treating body areas with thinner skin such as your face and neck, choosing a 0.5 mm dermaroller will be more appropriate. As a longer needle length can induce more pain and bleeding.
In general, longer needle lengths such as the 2.00 mm, 2.5 mm and longer dermarollers are not suggested for usage at home due to being capable of inducing scars and potentially being dangerous for certain body parts.
That’s why 1.5 mm is generally considered the largest needle length that’s safe for usage at home.
Which directions to dermaroll in?
The directions you should dermaroll in are simple. You should roll both horizantally and vertically.
Although some guides propose rolling diagonally in both directions as well, there are some that say that this might cause skin damage and even small scars. As such, it is better to be safe than sorry in my opinion. That means I wouldn’t do it.
First, roll ten times horizontally over the beard area and then ten times vertically. Make sure to roll over each spot where you wish to promote facial hair growth.
Best dermaroller needle length for beard growth
1.5 mm needle length is already too large for facial hair growth, as the skin under your beard is not that thick and is even thinner than your scalp skin.
That’s why you should consider using a 0.5-0.75 mm dermaroller when microneedling your face in order to promote facial hair growth.
The following needle length guide can help you choose the appropriate needle length for your goal(s).
| Needle size/Indication | 0,2 mm | 0,25 mm | 0,5 mm | 0,75 mm | 1,0 mm | 1,5 mm | 2,0 mm | 2,5 mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair regrowth/regeneration | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |||||
| Fine lines | ✅ | ✅ | ||||||
| Wrinkles/anti aging | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |||||
| Open pores | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |||||
| Pigmentation marks | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |||||
| Acne scars | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |||||
| Light scars | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |||||
| Cellulite | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |||||
| Stretch marks | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ||||
| Deep scars | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Best dermaroller for beard growth
The best dermaroller for facial hair growth is the one that does the job safely. This means preferably needles made out of stainless steel or titanium since they’re more durable and bend less easy. A needle length from 0.2 mm up to 1.0 mm will suffice to induce beard growth.
It’s not necessary to get a fancy, very expensive dermaroller. Nor do you need to get one of a well known brand unless you want to or if you trust the brand name, because more well known products often cost more, regardless if they’re better or not.
Selecting a dermaroller with a replaceable head can help reduce the long term costs due to easier replacement of the head instead of the handle as well. Not to mention that it helps produce less waste and thus helps nature as a result as well.
How often to dermaroll your beard
This depends on the needle length. The larger the needle, the more damage is done to the skin and thus, the more time is needed in order to repair the skin.
Always let your skin rest and repair itself before dermarolling again!
As a general rule:
- If it’s a small 0.25 mm needle, then you can dermaroll daily.
- If it’s a slightly larger 0.5 mm dermaroller, then micro needle twice a week.
- For 0.75 mm needle length, consider dermarolling just once each week in order to be safe and to give the skin ample time to repair itself.
So, how often should you dermaroll your beard? About 1-2 times a week if you use a 0.5 mm beard roller.
Conclusion
There are a large variety of different ways to promote beard growth other than just applying minoxidil. And it is proven that derma rolling and beard growth are positively linked with one another. Some minoxidil beard supplements can also be effective to promote hair growth.
So yes, a micro needle roller, also called a beard growth roller, does indeed work to increase facial hair!
Using a beard roller for beard growth has shown promising effects to promote facial hair growth. And even though derma rolling your beard can be very effective, a combination of preferably all the above factors will be your best bet to grow a thick and full beard.