Derma Roller for Beard - Everything You Need to Know
Derma rolling is a form of microneedling proven to boost hair growth. Here’s all the info on using the derma roller for beard + a walkthrough.
Image source: Freepik
A full, thick beard has always been one of the biggest male beauty trends. But not everyone is naturally blessed with one! Or, your beard might have lost volume due to different causes. Whatever the case, you might be feeling insecure about your beard being sparse or patchy.
Well, there’s an easy, non-invasive way to fix your beard troubles – microneedling beard!
Let’s take a look at this at-home treatment which has been gaining popularity. Here’s all you need to know about using the derma roller for beard.
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What’s Derma Rolling?
Derma rolling is a form of microneedling done with a derma roller, a small, hand-held instrument made up of a handle and a barrel covered with tiny needles. When the barrel is rolled against the skin, the needles puncture the skin in countless tiny dots, creating microchannels.
This microtrauma triggers the body’s natural mechanisms of skin regeneration, collagen and elastin production, and skin cell turnover.
Derma rolling can be used on many parts of the face and body, and for a wide range of purposes, like reversing the effects of aging, diminishing scarring of various origins, eliminating hyperpigmentation. Among the effects it can give is stimulating hair growth.
Images source: Freepik
And What’s Using the Derma Roller for Beard Like?
Derma rolling for beard is microneedling the chin, cheeks, and the upper lip in order to boost the growth of facial hair. When we say boost its growth, we mean stimulating the follicles which aren’t growing (fast enough) or are growing invisibly thin, but also getting all the hairs to grow out thicker, with a larger diameter. These 2 effects combined make the beard look much fuller.
Controlled trauma does several things:
1 – It stimulates blood flow into the area, bringing in nutrients to the hair follicle which boost its growth.
2 – It allows hair growth products to penetrate the skin and thus maximizes their effects.
3 – As the needles come into contact with hair bulbs, their stem cells are activated. The follicle is triggered into faster growth.
4 – The skin around the follicles starts its regeneration process which brings in high amounts of collagen into the area (that’s why microneedling is often called collagen induction therapy). The collagen is used by the hair bulbs to generate proteins which lead to thicker hair growth. The more collagen is available, the thicker the hairs will grow out.
All the mentioned processes are natural responses from the body, so derma roller for beard growth is totally non-invasive and works with the body, without introducing any harsh drugs (although they can be combined in case of severe hair loss).
But we should note that collagen induction in any area takes time and persistence to show results, and it can take 8-10 sessions of derma rolling for beard growth to see a significant improvement in facial hair density.
Image source: Instagram @ginamberx
How Often Should I Repeat Derma Rolling Sessions?
The frequency of derma rolling sessions depends on the length of the needles used. The longer the needles, the longer the skin needs to recover, so the longer you need to wait between sessions.
Professional derma rolling is usually booked with 4-6 weeks between sessions.
DIY derma rolling with 0.5 mm needles can be done as frequently as once or twice a week, but if you’re just starting out, it’s best to start with once every 2 weeks and see how your skin reacts. As it gets used to the rolling, you can do it more often.
The best way to decide is to visit a dermatologist and have them prescribe a schedule.
How Do I Prepare for a Derma Roller for Beard Growth Session?
If you have no beard or just a stubble, don’t expose your face to sunlight for 5 days before the procedure. If it gets sunburnt, your skin will be too sensitive.
On the day of the session, avoid caffeine, alcohol, ibuprofen and similar blood-thinning medications and supplements. You’ll bleed more.
Using the Derma Roller for Beard Step by Step Instructions
Let’s go through the beard microneedling process.
Step 1 – Tool Sterilization
The derma roller has to be sterilized before every use, since the needles will be penetrating the skin and you don’t want them to bring in dirt or bacteria with them – this can cause an infection. The roller should be cleaned with alcohol or dipped in boiling water (ideally both) and left to dry.
Image source: Freepik
Step 2 – Optional Numbing
If you’re getting a professional service, a numbing cream is applied onto the area that will be treated and left on for some time. When the area goes numb, it’s wiped off.
There’s no need for numbing in case of DIY microneedling.
Step 3 – Cleaning the Beard
The area that will be treated has to be clean of dirt, sebum, and all possible product residues – the surface of the skin will be broken and all these can cause an infection.
If your beard is very short, just wipe it with some alcohol, or even better, with a gentle antibacterial cleanser. If it’s longer, wash it thoroughly with antibacterial soap.
Step 4 – Serum Application
Cover the area with the growth stimulation product you’re using – a serum or an oil.
Step 5 – Derma Rolling
The roller should be pressed against the skin lightly and rolled back and forth several times in different directions over the whole facial hair area. A useful trick may be to fill your cheeks with air for a better grip of the roller.
The area shouldn’t be overworked, though. Don’t spend more than 5 minutes rolling.
Step 6 – Massage
Lightly massage the serum/oil residues into the skin. If there’s too much of it, you can blot it off, but don’t rub the area and don’t touch it with unclean fingers or other surfaces for at least a few hours – the microchannels are still open and there’s a risk of contamination.
Is Derma Roller Beard Growth a Professional or a DIY Treatment?
Both! Microneedling, in general, can be a professional service, or an at-home treatment, and using the derma roller for beard growth is no exception. There are some differences between the 2 versions, though:
- Professional microneedling can be done with either a derma pen or a roller, while only the roller is suitable for at-home use.
- The needles go deeper with a professional service. A trained professional can use longer needles to achieve more significant results, and to do it in fewer sessions, while the derma rollers you can buy over the counter only go up to 0.5 mm in length. Longer needles can’t be used by non-professionals due to the risk of damage.
- A professional can combine several treatments with the microneedling, like the popular PRP, or introduce prescription drugs as part of derma roller beard growth stimulation.
So, a professional service might be more effective and take fewer repetitions to give the desired effects, but it can cost hundreds of dollars. Microneedling is usually charged according to the size of the area treated, so a session of professional microneedling can cost between $200 and $800.
DIY derma roller beard regrowth is a much more budget-friendly option, all you need to invest in is a derma roller (cc. $50) and a growth stimulation product. You will still achieve results, but they may take more time. Give beard microneedling 3-6 months before you judge its efficiency.
Does Using the Derma Roller for Beard Hurt?
No, not really.
The needles of the at-home derma roller are so short they won’t inflict any pain, but the tingling sensation might be uncomfortable until you get used to it.
In the case of a professional derma roller for beard growth, the treatment uses a topical anesthetic that eliminates the pin of longer needles going into the skin.
Image source: Freepik
Can the Derma Roller for Beard Growth Work at Any Hair Loss Stage?
Derma roller beard regrowth works best for facial hair which has only recently started thinning or showing patches. It can give some results on facial hair which hasn’t been growing properly for a longer time, too, but the effects are limited and can take a long time to emerge.
Generally, the longer you wait to start derma rolling, the tougher it will be to achieve maximum results.
But you definitely shouldn’t lose hope, whatever the situation is. Visit a dermatologist and have them assess the situation – they may help you with some medication and prescribe a derma rolling schedule.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Since you’re creating trauma to the skin, it’s natural for it to react. You might encounter the following during or after a derma roller beard session:
- Pinpoint bleeding
- Mild to moderate redness
- Itching (moderate is fine, but extreme itchiness may point to an allergic reaction)
- Minor swelling
- Minor bruising
- Minor temporary hair thinning (the needles of the derma roller can cut exiting hairs off, but they’ll grow out stronger and thicker, so it’s no big deal)
Image source: Instagram @skin_by_kate
Are There Any Risks?
Microneedling beard is generally considered safe, if done properly. There are some risks, however, and they include:
Infection
Whenever the skin is broken, there’s a chance of contamination and subsequent infection. That’s why the tool used must always be sterilized properly, and the area should be left alone for a few hours, without touching it or applying any products on it.
Allergies
Products used while derma rolling may cause an allergic reaction, especially the numbing. That’s why a patch test should always be done beforehand, as the products go deep into the skin and the reaction can be much more severe than with topical application.
Scarring
If the needles are too long, they can damage the deeper layers of the skin. If scar tissue is formed, the hair stops growing, so you should never use derma rollers with needles longer than 0.5 mm or the derma pen yourself.
What About Aftercare?
Aftercare mostly comes down to keeping the area safe from contamination, so, not touching it or getting products on it for about 6 hours after the rolling. Oh, and keeping it away from direct sunlight for a few days.
What If It Doesn’t Work?
Unfortunately, in some cases the hair follicles are so damaged that derma rolling can’t result in growth. If you don’t get any extra growth from microneedling your beard, you can look into facial hair micropigmentation, or facial hair microblading, 2 popular forms of cosmetic beard tattoos.
Image source: Instagram @scalpmicrosd
Derma Roller for Beard – Main Takeaways
Using the derma roller for beard growth is a simple and efficient way to boost the growth of your facial hair. It uses the skin’s natural processes to stimulate the hair bulbs and cause the hairs to grow out thicker and denser. It can be combined with other treatments for maximum effects, and it can be done at home or at a salon.
The results take some time to emerge, but once they do, they’re maintained easily.
Derma rolling, or microneedling, is a versatile treatment that can be used for a number of other purposes. To find out what they are, head over to this guide.
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