How To Grow MORE Facial Hair (WITHOUT MINOXIDIL)

Is your beard patchy? Do you want to grow more facial hair? Are you a little hesitant to try minoxidil? If you answered yes to one or all 3 of these questions, then this is the video for you.

I've been able to make significant progress on growing my facial hair and filling in beard patches without using minoxidil at all.

Hope you guys enjoy the video!

Links to everything mentioned in the video:

Research & References to Fact-Check Me:

Peppermint Oil Outperformed Minoxidil & Jojoba Oil

Topical Menthol Increases Cutaneous Blood Flow

Wider Blood Vessels Hold Key To Thicker Hair Growth

Lavendar Oil Vs Jojoba Oil Vs Minoxidil In Mice

Rosemary Oil Vs Minoxidil

Pumpkin Seed Oil Improves Hair Growth

Pumpkin Seed Oil Improves Hair Growth + Critique letter to editors of the study

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FTC: This post is not sponsored. Contains affiliate links

DISCLAIMER:
Please note that I'm not a medical doctor or a qualified cosmetic chemist. I do my best to quote credible scientific studies and link to all the studies in the description so you can fact check me, but I can't 100% guarantee that all my info is error-free. It's important to consult your doctor and do what's best for you individually.

[evieemaya]

6:01: How to use a derma roller
8:04: The recipe mixture.
9:21: How often to derma roll
9:44: Potential expected results (will be different for all).

[rookmaster]

Although I personally don't have a patchy beard issue, I do find this video very insightful and informative. And I like the fact that Trav puts a strong emphasis on safety.

[ouroboros]

I've watched many videos on this while trying to grow out the patchy parts of my beard and sir you seem like the most sincere guy out there talking about this. There's so much mumbo jumbo going on but you were just being real, not trying to pull a scam. Thanks dude

[realchiknuggets]

Fantastic video! However, there are some problems and missing info that need to be addressed...

*Notes:*

• About *peppermint oil* – *cornmint oil* actually contains _more_ menthol than peppermint oil (which – when applied topically – increases cutaneous blood flow, as noted in the video's description), so you can use cornmint oil as a substitute and use less of it, and it's cheaper, so it's gonna be noticeably cheaper over time (and apparently it smells sweeter and more pleasant). Cornmint also has the same powerful cooling effect that peppermint is known for, all while (still) promoting hair growth. It's better than peppermint oil in basically every way.

• Don't use a *derma roller.* Use a *dermapen* or at least a *derma stamp.* The perforations are far more clean and controllable as well as far less damaging. It's also far easier to maintain and replace the pins for a dermapen than most derma rollers. If you can't use a dermapen, or can't find a good one at a reasonable price, at least use a derma stamp, but whatever you do, do _not_ use a derma roller.
– Derma rollers cause a lot of unnecessary horizontal damage for not a very deep puncture. With the proper pin length (2mm – this is how deep facial hair follicles are), they cause way too much damage and are too prone to infection. Derma stamps are already infinitely better, but a dermapen is the gold standard, especially one that boasts thinner pin length – derma rollers usually have far thicker pins than newer dermapens.

• You already corrected yourself about using *pumpkin seed oil, * *rosemary oil, * and *lavender oil, * so I won't talk about those too much, but *aloe oil* is the perfect carrier oil. Not only is it not considered a DHT blocker nor (anti)androgenic, it has multiple important properties that make it the obvious choice over *joboba oil* or *caster oil:* It's antiseptic, preventing the perforated skin from getting infected and preventing any bacterial buildup that might otherwise occur in the container of oils. It soothes the skin – perforated skin feels like a mild sunburn, especially the deeper the punctures are. It promotes faster healing, allowing for deeper/more frequent perforations (and should reduce the tiny drops of spot bleeding that deep micropuncturing causes).
– Using aloe oil will also help protect the sensitive skin against sun damage, preventing the need for the use of a less useful oil with a high SPF value, e.g., coconut oil, which is sourced in a way that's terrible for the environment, or a high amount of peppermint oil, which would irritate the skin, defeating the entire purpose of using it.
– By the way, it's worth mentioning that peppermint oil is potentially a DHT blocker, but there's limited scientific evidence either way. There's even less information about cornmint oil.

• Minoxidil is a collagen inhibitor, which actually tends to be why a lot of people use a derma roller with it – derma rollers don't reach the facial hair follicles, but the collagen induction from the roller's expansive horizontal skin damage synergizes with the drug. Minoxidil isn't required, but using the proper oils and the proper micropuncture device *alongside* the drug should obviously give you the best and fastest results.
– Don't use minoxidil on the same day that you use your dermapen or derma stamp except for the very first day.

• Whether or not you decide to use minoxidil or oils, you'll have to maintain its application as well as the collagen induction therapy (micropuncturing) for up to 1-3 years before the new hairs reach their terminal stage, i.e., they become permanent. _Then_ you can stop the perforation and oil application and those hairs will continue to grow. However, for the fullest beard possible, you can continue these processes indefinitely. Micropuncturing has other thoroughly-researched benefits, e.g., reducing wrinkling, scarring, & stretch marks.

• Whether you use minoxidil, rosemary oil, or both, you'll likely experience increased itching. The study referenced used minoxidil and rosemary oil on the scalp, but this absolutely applies to beards too, especially if you already have some itching issues with yours.) Apply beard balm to your existing facial hair *last.* If you apply minoxidil, wait 4 hours before applying beard balm or any other moisturizer, including the oils. This can be annoying, as minoxidil contains alcohol and quickly dries out your face.

• Use an electric exfoliating brush instead of a standard brush, preferably on a low speed setting. It'll force the oils to penetrate much more deeply into the skin, hair follicles, and hairs themselves, while still being less damaging, far more effective, and less irritating than derma rolling + regular brushing thanks to the dermapen, aloe oil, and cornmint oil.
– Note that when I say "less irritating", I'm assuming you'd use a derma roller of appropriate effective pin length – 2mm – which is extremely damaging compared to using a dermapen or derma stamp of the same pin length.
– Don't use the (roughest) "exfoliating" attachment. Use the gentler brush attachment. If needed, use the extremely gentle silicone attachment.

• If your skin is hypersensitive to deeper perforations, consider applying a *zinc oxide ointment* after brushing the oils in. Alternatively, you could mix some *zinc oxide powder* directly into your oils.

• If you're concerned about your blood not enough vitamins to properly stimulate new hair growth as mentioned in the video, consider adding *prickly pear seed oil* to the aloe oil as a secondary carrier. It's a relatively neutral oil with a ridiculous amount of vitamins, even compared to argon oil, and has antioxidant, antibacterial, & soothing properties. It's not necessary, but I would recommend it.


*Each product's purpose:*

• A *dermapen* (or derma stamp): By far the best microneedling tool. Induces collagen production, and therefore anagen, via epithelial proliferation.

• *(5%) minoxidil* (optional): A cutaneous vasodilator, i.e., it dilates skin blood vessels (a key to hair growth – check this video's description).

• *Cornmint oil:* Increases cutaneous blood flow (wrt. collagen induction), hair growth, dermal thickness, follicle number & depth, and enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP); i.e., induces a rapid anagen stage. Cools and slightly numbs the perforated skin.

• *Aloe oil:* Dilutes the cornmint oil. Prevents infection and bacterial buildup. Soothes the perforated skin. Promotes faster healing. Protects the perforated skin from sun damage.

• *Prickly pear seed oil* (optional): Dilutes the cornmint oil. Adds many vitamins and antioxidants. Helps soothe the perforated skin and prevent bacterial buildup.

• *Zinc oxide* (ointment or powder; optional): Promotes tissue repair and reduces inflammation & redness. Provides a protective barrier against moisture loss.

• An *electric exfoliating brush:* Forces the oils and/or minoxidil to penetrate deeply into the skin, hair follicles, and hairs.

• *(70%) Isopropyl alcohol:* Sterilizes any dermapen tips and exfoliating brush attachments used.

• *2 watertight plastic containers:* Make sure it's wide enough for the exfoliating brush's attachments to fit inside. One container will hold the oil mixture and the other will hold the alcohol. (Alcohol is naturally antiseptic, so no need to worry about bacterial growth. After all, that's why we're using it as a sterilizing agent.)

• *Beard balm:* Prevents and/or treats itching underneath facial hair.

[PowerLives]

Never thought that Jesus would help me with improving my patchy beard 💯💯🙏✝️

[alexneedles]

Pumpkin seed oil is a DHT blocker. DHT plays a significant role in the growth of facial and body hair but it causes scalp hair follicles to miniaturize, provided the hair follicles are sensitive to DHT, which is determined by genetics. You would probably get better results if you swap out pumpkin seed oil for a different carrier oil that does not block DHT.

[khanwaseem]

Your patches are actually in "good" areas. You can line your beard or fade in a certain way on your particular cheeks to make it look fuller and not even notice those patches.

[gregorysmith]

I use minoxidil, derma roller, and DIY oil mix for my beard. I appreciate the level of research and effort that went in on making this video and all the information you provided was extremely accurate. Great video

[Quxera]

Would you be interested in a subreddit instead of Facebook. Not everyone wants to use Facebook...

[julianmartinez]

Been doing this oil mix, and I have seen results just takes patience and the right cleanse, nutrition, and rest. Thanks for the derma roll tip

[puniyo]

This is the best video about dermaroller so far

[arielbenitez]

A couple things i think are worth noting if you’d like to take a look at this:
1. Ive read that the 500- ish needle dermarollers tend to have more of a bed of nails effect and it’s probably best to use the 192 count needle rollers as the 500 ones use discs and the 192 count actually use individual needles.
2. Pumpkin seed oil and lavender are great for hair growth as they are also dht blockers, however this can prove to be potentially counterproductive for facial hair since dht plays a part in facial hair development. However I suppose this could be anecdotal for each person so if it’s working for ya have at it, just thought it might be worth mentioning.
3. Even if you’ve used a dermaroller before, 3x a week could be too excessive given most people recommend 2x a week and some people believe even that is excessive

[CommanderWiggins]

This video is great! I've been using minoxidil, but I know a lot of guys who can't for any number of reasons. Either health concerns, bad reactions, or lack of access. I'm thrilled to be able to direct them to a video that provides an alternative!

[somename]

Careful: from what I understand, pumpkin seed and rosemary essential oils are DHT blockers, i.e. the hormone in charge of growing body and facial hair. Also the hormone responsible for destroying hair follicles on your head.

So, for beard i use Peppermint. On my head, those with dht blocking properties.

[Bing-sx]

Great video even minoxidill takes long to see results. Derma roller works if stay consistent but of course if you have to have the follicle.

[RocketSystem]

Got all the supplies, gonna do this for the next 3 months. I'll let you guys know an update! Just thumbs me up & ask me in 3 months time. Cheers to doin this the natural way :)

[ianjharris]

Thank you bro, I feel so insecure about not growing full facial hair. It's so nice to know I'm not alone.

[samgalloway]

5:45 *first time checking out his channel, and i already respect this man a lot*

[onedeathbyflame]

Hey Trav, would love an update on your progress. Also thanks for taking a science based approach to hair/skin care.
When you mix the two Tbsp of pumpkin seed oil with the other oils you say "five to seven drops", I'm assuming you meant total not each, right?

[ahmednawaf]

Finally after commenting on tons of ur vids.... thanks Trav... this was helpful unlike those cliche how to grow beard vid on YouTube 🤜🤛