Do Beard Growth Kits Work? Let's Find Out
On a daily basis at our shop, we watch as men stand before the mirror and complain about the spots within their facial hair. It is a never-ending battle for today's modern gentleman as we seek to build that sturdy, woodsy look associated with lumberjacks, but thin cheeks and an unconnected ‘stache are an all-too-regular result.
Because we truly believe it's our obligation to separate fact from fantasy here, we know these very same issues have led some of our customers to seek out information on beard growth kits that have invaded their social media accounts. If you're ever in the area and looking for advice, feel free to visit our office location at Frank’s Gentlemen’s Salon for personalized recommendations.
Unpacking the Box
Do beard growth kits work? Before we can form an opinion about their efficacy, it is essential we are aware of precisely what it is that you are buying. A majority of these products will use a multistep solution for promoting your follicles. You will see a derma roller, which will be a small device with a wheel on it that contains needles, and then there will also be a bottle with an activator serum or oil. Going beyond the basic ones, there will be beard wash, combs, and biotin. A major objective here will be offering your beard some nutrition.
The Science of Stubble
To determine if these tools are effective, we have to be mindful of beard biology. Your beard growth is ultimately dependent on your genetics and your hormones, specifically testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Your genetics determine your sensitivity to these hormones.
Do beard growth kits actually work? Just because your DNA shows that you’re meant for a sparse beard doesn’t mean that any amount of beard oil will change your DNA. But that doesn’t mean it’s all bleak, either. As we like to inform our customers, overall health factors greatly. Sleeping, eating, and exercising affect your hormones, and they can optimize your beard as best as your genetics will allow.
Do the Ingredients Deliver?
When we examine what exactly goes into these kits, we get a package deal that contains some proven science and some hopeful thinking. If you’re seeking a beard growth kit that works, it’s important to look closely at what’s inside. The most disputed product among these kits would have to be the derma roller. It works on the premise that rolling these tiny needles on your skin will puncture it enough so that it will stimulate collagen production and increase blood flow. Although there seems to be some scientific evidence that it works on promoting hair growth on the scalp, it still has not been proven as an actual method for beard growth.
And then there are serums. Several hair growth kits will have natural oils like jojoba oil and argan oil. As much as we appreciate these for what they can do to nourish and improve the look of existing hair, they don't have any actual hair growth properties. The only active component that has been shown to be successful at hair regrowth is minoxidil, and it's a medication that isn't usually contained within a cosmetic set.
Our Professional Verdict
But are these things worth your hard-earned cash? We would be very careful and say yes, but it depends on your expectations. You know, if it were easy, a beard would just magically appear on your chin without roots. But if you have some growth that just needs some oomph, then these tools will start your beard on its road to health.
A healthy dose of extra circulation brought about by rolling, along with conditioning from these essential oils, will help you get as much as you can out of your beard, making it appear more lush. But a beard growth kit works best when paired with patience and TLC, which remain your best tools!
Lisa Franz
Lisa Franz is the founder and owner of Frank’s Gentlemen’s Salon, a premier men’s salon and barbershop in Denver. With a background in theatre and a deep passion for community-building, she created Frank’s to merge high-end grooming services with a warm, inclusive space.
