If you're striving to grow a thick, full beard, chances are you've done plenty of research into things that stimulate beard growth. But here's a new one for you: ever heard of beard rollers?

A beard roller is a type of derma roller, a microneedling tool that's becoming more and more popular for skin care. Now, it's making waves for potentially being able to encourage beard growth and healthier facial hair, too. Want to know what all the fuss is about? Can you really use a beard roller for hair growth, or is it just another fancy-looking grooming tool? Join us on our deep dive into the world of beard rollers.

First things first, what is microneedling?

While microneedling is a trending topic right now, the practice of using tiny needles to aid skin resurfacing and rejuvenation goes way back—to 1905, to be precise, when the German dermatologist Ernst Kromayer pioneered the technique to reduce the appearance of acne scars.

Microneedling has gone on to be loved worldwide as a form of collagen and elastin-induction therapy, and in the 90s it reached the level of popularity that it has today. What was initially a salon-only treatment associated with certain levels of discomfort is now a comfortable option for at-home skin care. You can find derma rollers and beard rollers with tiny needles in different lengths, depending on your needs and your experience level with derma rolling.

How does microneedling work?

The miniature needles on a derma roller puncture skin to create micro injuries. This means that after a derma rolling treatment, your skin will have micro wounds that easily absorb skin and facial hair care products. Another benefit of using a microneedle roller is its ability to boost collagen production, because those teeny wounds cause your body's natural healing response to kick in. If you're not familiar with collagen, it's a key building block when it comes to healthy facial hair growth.

What are beard rollers?

Beard rollers are simply a variety of microneedle roller. These nifty tools come in different shapes, sizes and designs, but all consist of a rolling head, covered in needles, attached to a handle for easy use. Don't worry: they're not as scary as they sound!

How does a derma roller work for beards?

Using a beard roller means that your body generates collagen to repair any damage caused during the treatment. If you have a beard, you can reap both hair and skin care benefits from derma rolling.

Here's some ways that rollers can help to strengthen your beard game:

• They can help to prevent a patchy beard, hair loss, and thinning hair.
• They support and strengthen the hair follicles, encouraging strong new beard hair growth.
• They help beard oil and beard growth serum to penetrate better (thus enhancing their effects).
• They encourage healthy blood circulation, which can support the overall vitality of your beard.
• They're a great grooming tool for wiry, unruly beards.
• They might be able to support faster hair growth.

And of course, beard rollers aren't just about improving facial hair—they'll also help you on your way to healthy skin. Their skin benefits include a reduction in scarring and wrinkles, as well as an uptick in smoothness and tightness.

Can I use a derma roller for beard growth?

One thing you might have been wondering is whether or not derma rollers work for beard growth. If you'd love longer beard hair but aren't the patient type, you might just be in luck, as there is some evidence to suggest that using a beard roller helps to stimulate beard growth… but it's not all that clear cut.

In 2013, a study was published in the International Journal of Trichology that established a connection between microneedling and accelerated hair growth. However, beard hair wasn't the subject of the study: instead, researchers analyzed the effects of microneedling on people with alopecia, dealing with hair loss and patchy scalp hair. One of the randomized groups received weekly microneedling sessions in conjunction with a 5% minoxidil lotion (a tried-and-true topical treatment for hair loss). The other group only received the minoxidil lotion. After 12 weeks, the group who had microneedling treatments showed significant improvement in various hair-growth factors compared to the group that was using minoxidil alone.

So in short, there is proof out there that derma rollers and other microneedling techniques can help to stimulate the hair follicles on your head, encouraging your scalp hair to grow. You would have thought that the same would be the case for the hair on your face, but sadly there are no scientific studies to back up this potential benefit of beard rollers.

Sometimes, though, word of mouth can be convincing enough. Search Reddit and YouTube and you'll find a ton of guys who swear by using a derma roller for beard growth.

Our take? Grooming yourself with a beard roller might not result in the speedy hair growth you've been hoping for, but there's no harm in giving one a go—especially when they bring other benefits to your hair and skin along the way.

What to look for in a beard roller

If you're ready to bring a beard roller into your life, there are several factors to consider, including how you'll approach the microneedling process itself.

Pay attention to the size of the needles

The tiny needles on beard rollers are designed to penetrate your skin without causing pain. Most at-home microneedling sessions won't leave you feeling anything more than a slight prickle, but if you have particularly sensitive skin you might feel a bit of discomfort. Check out our guide to derma rollers if you're interested in learning more about the sensation to expect.

Another factor that affects the feel of microneedling is the length of the needles on your beard roller. Usually, derma rollers for home use have needles from 0.25mm to 1.25mm. As you probably guessed, the longer the needles are, the deeper they're able to go into your skin and reach those collagen-producing follicles.

If you're not sure which length is best for you, start off with small needles. You can always upgrade to longer sizes once you're used to the ins and outs of the process. Generally speaking, you'll see faster results by using longer needles—they're closer to the type that a dermatologist or aesthetician would use for a professional microneedling treatment.

Our very own beard rollers are available in two different needle lengths, so you can find the perfect one for your experience level. Why not start with our 0.25mm roller, then work your way up to our 0.5mm version? Both rollers feature medical-grade titanium needles that create micro punctures in the skin, stimulating up to 39% more collagen and elastin production.

How to use a beard roller

Once you've settled on the perfect beard roller for you, it's time to use it for the first time. Here's a quick step-by-step…

1. First, make sure your beard roller is clean. Hygiene is important here—the needles are puncturing your skin, after all. It's key to wash these rollers thoroughly, and sanitize them with rubbing alcohol if you have some on hand.
2. Prep the treatment area. You don't necessarily need to wash your beard beforehand, but beard rollers work best when applied at least to clean skin and (relatively) groomed facial hair.
3. Apply a numbing cream if you'd like. This is an optional but helpful step that you might want to take, particularly if your derma roller has longer needles (1.5mm+).
4. Pull your skin taught, then gently apply the beard roller. Without applying too much pressure, start slowly rolling the tool. You'll want to work back and forth, rolling in one direction around 8-10 times, then in the other direction for the same amount of time. While you're rolling the tool over your facial hair, make different types of lines—horizontal, vertical, and diagonal—to ensure proper, consistent coverage. When changing directions, do not twist the roller, as this can cause damage. Make sure to lift it away from your skin before rotating the head. Also, avoid any patches of skin that are sore, inflamed or blemished.
5. Don't panic if you see a tiny bit of blood. A very small amount of bleeding here and there is normal, but any more than that is a sign to stop.
6. Once you're done with the beard roller, clean and dry the treatment area. You can simply do this with warm water and a washcloth, but you might prefer to add a gentle cleanser at this point (emphasis on "gentle", though!).
7. Apply some nourishing beard care products. Follow up with any products in your kit bag that lock moisture in to give you healthy skin and lustrous, full facial hair. This could be anything from a simple, classic moisturizer to a more potent combination of a hydrating hyaluronic acid serum and a rich beard oil. 
8. Repeat the process once or twice a week.

The best products to use with beard rollers

Using beard rollers requires a lot of care, and that includes putting in the necessary work after the treatment is done. If you want to speed up hair growth, get rid of your patchy beard faster, and make sure your skin stays healthy, a proper after-care routine will help you to achieve these goals and get the best results out of microneedling. Here are some of our favorite products to use alongside beard rollers…

Beard oil

The most perfect partners if you're using a derma roller for beard growth have to be beard oils. They moisturize and condition your skin and facial hair while also reaching down to the follicles. They'll tame your existing strands while encouraging any new beard growth to be denser and stronger.

Our conditioning beard oil features fast-absorbing cold-pressed oils that nourish and protect your beard hair. We also add soothing aloe vera and purifying, breakout-reducing tea tree oil.

Hyaluronic acid serum

Applying a HA serum around and underneath your beard will help to keep the skin in those areas plump and hydrated. Also, if you're prone to side effects like irritation after using a beard roller, this type of formula will help to calm things down.

Our advanced HA serum contains plant-based fragmented and encapsulated HA in its purest form, meaning it's able to penetrate the skin more effectively.

Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera is known for its soothing qualities, which makes it another great choice if your skin is feeling a little sore after your first few beard roller treatments. If you like your products all-natural, it's definitely worth checking out.

Made from 99.75% pure aloe leaf juice, and no diluting water, our potent but super-soothing aloe vera gel calms inflammation and soreness, delivering a dose of hydration with instant benefits.

What are your thoughts about adding a beard roller to your routine? Are you going to give this technique a try? Let us know in the comments!