Beard Growth Kit

Growing a beard is a journey. And like all journeys, it has its highs — such as seeing patchy areas gradually filled in by fuller, denser hair — and not-so-highs (beard hair can itch a lot as it grows out). The Beard Growth Kit is designed to make your journey easier by stimulating the growth of a thicker, healthier-looking beard and turning facial hair into a mane you can be proud of.

However, as with any journey, there are certain things you should be aware of before you set off. Therefore, it’s important that you read the safety information on this page before using your Beard Growth Kit to help you navigate along your journey safely and successfully.

1. Topical minoxidil

Topical minoxidil (6%) a cutaneous solution that is applied to the face to stimulate beard hair growth. Our topical minoxidil is an unlicensed medicine as it is 1% stronger than other minoxidil treatments on the market.

Minoxidil use in this instance is also off-label as it is being used to treat beard growth (whereas it is normally used to treat male pattern baldness).

What topical minoxidil is used for

Topical minoxidil is traditionally used as a treatment for male pattern baldness in men ages 18-65, however it has also been shown to be effective for encouraging beard growth in men within the same age range. It is thought to work by dilating the blood vessels and supplying nutrient-rich blood to the hair follicles. The exact process by which this occurs is not known.

How to tell if topical minoxidil is suitable for you

Topical minoxidil can be used at every stage of your beard growth journey to stimulate beard hair growth. It is suitable for men who have:

• Patchy beard hair growth.
• Uneven beard hair growth.
• Areas of the beard that do not connect.
• Thin, fine, and sparse beard hair.
• A short, medium, or long beard.

If you are unable to grow facial hair due to a condition, have patches of hair on the face where hair cannot grow, or have never been able to grow facial hair, it is unlikely that topical minoxidil will be an effective treatment for you.

When topical minoxidil should not be used

Topical minoxidil should not be used:

• If you suffer from a problem with blood pressure.
• On any red, broken or inflamed skin.
• If you have any condition that affects your face including sunburn and psoriasis or if you use other creams, ointments, lotions etc. used to treat scalp/skin conditions e.g. dithranol, tretinoin, corticosteroids (steroids) and petrolatum products (soft paraffin) or have any kind of dressing or bandage on your face.
• For sudden, unexpected hair loss which may be linked to thyroid or other medical problems.
• Total baldness or complete loss of all body hair.
• Hair loss caused by drug treatment.
• If you have a clean shaved face.
• If you are allergic to minoxidil, ethanol, or propylene glycol.
• If you are under 18 or over 65 years.
• If you are female (as shown on your birth certificate).
• If you suffer from heart disease (including abnormal heart rhythms or rates, angina, or chest pains) and/or circulation disorders you should seek the advice of your doctor before using minoxidil.

There is a risk that topical minoxidil may interact with certain blood pressure medicines called “vasodilators” and alter their effect. You should consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking such medication.

It is very important that you use topical minoxidil as recommended on this Safety Information Page. Using too much topical minoxidil can cause it to be absorbed into the blood, which may result in side effects such as rapid heartbeat, faintness or dizziness, or swollen hands or feet. However, when topical minoxidil is used as recommended, it is extremely unlikely that any of these side effects will occur.

Topical minoxidil can also be absorbed into the blood if you are unusually sensitive to minoxidil, or if it is used when there is a skin/scalp condition (such as psoriasis) present. Therefore, it is important that you follow the recommendations and advice on this Safety Information Page when using topical minoxidil.

How long topical minoxidil takes to work

It usually takes two to four months to notice beard hair growth when using topical minoxidil. This is because hair growth is a slow process and it takes time for emerging hairs to become noticeable. Newly grown hairs may be soft and downy at the start, but should eventually become the same as normal hair. The time it takes to notice hair regrowth may vary from person to person.

Please be aware that some slight facial hair loss may occur when you first begin treatment. This is only temporary, and happens because initial treatment causes the hair follicles to move quickly through the growth cycle until they reach the anagen (growth) stage. Once they reach the growth stage, you should start to experience beard hair growth and improved facial hair coverage. If shedding persists for longer than two weeks you should stop using topical minoxidil and consult your doctor.

If there is no facial hair growth after 12 months, then it is very unlikely you will respond to the treatment and you should stop using topical minoxidil. Please consult your doctor if you are concerned at any time during treatment.

For the best results, you should use topical minoxidil every day if facial hair growth occurs to maintain the hair you grew. If you decide to stop using topical minoxidil, it is likely that you will lose any hair you grew during treatment within three to four months.

How to use topical minoxidil

Precautions
Topical minoxidil must only be used on the face. Make sure the skin on your face is normal and healthy before applying topical minoxidil. Do not use topical minoxidil on other parts of the body. If accidentally applied to any other part of the body, rinse thoroughly with water. Topical minoxidil is for external use only.

To use topical minoxidil:

1. Make sure your face is dry before applying topical minoxidil.
2. Apply a total of 6 sprays (1ml) to the areas of the beard you want to grow and massage it in. Do this twice daily (once in the morning and once at night).
   Note: only apply a total of 6 sprays to your beard. If there is more than one area of the beard you want to target - for example, on each side of your face - then apply half the stated dose to each side (e.g 3 sprays one side and 3 sprays on the other side).
3. Wash your hands thoroughly after use.
4. Avoid application to damaged or freshly shaved skin (wait 24 hours after shaving or using the beard roller before applying further minoxidil) and avoid inhalation or any contact with the mouth or lips.

Avoid contact with the eyes, broken skin and sensitive areas. If accidentally applied to these parts, wash with plenty of water.

Do not use more than 2ml topical minoxidil daily (in other words, do not spray it on your face more than twice a day). Exceeding the recommended dose will not make beard hair grow any faster and you may risk side effects.

Always wash your hands thoroughly after applying topical minoxidil and rinse other areas that have come into contact with it.

Side effects of topical minoxidil

Stop using topical minoxidil if you get any of the following:

• Blood pressure changes.
• Rapid heartbeat.
• New or worsening pain in the chest.
• Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting.
• Unexplained rapid weight gain of more than 2 kg or 5 pounds.
• Swelling or puffiness of the hands or feet.
• Persistent redness or irritation of the face.

Topical minoxidil can cause skin irritation (e.g. local redness, itching, dryness, skin flaking). Although this might only be a temporary effect, stop using the product if it persists.

Stop using topical minoxidil if you notice changes in hair colour and/or texture.

Topical minoxidil may cause a burning sensation and irritation if you get it in the eye. If you get topical minoxidil in your eye, mouth or on a cut or damaged skin, wash the area well with lots of cool tap water.

Unwanted non-facial hair has sometimes been reported after using topical minoxidil. Always wash your hands thoroughly after application, and if accidentally applied to parts of the body other than the face, rinse thoroughly with water.

Keep topical minoxidil out of reach of children. If anyone (including a child) ingests topical minoxidil, take them to the hospital immediately with the topical minoxidil bottle (so the doctor can see how much they have ingested).

If you experience any other side effects not mentioned on this Safety Information Page, you should consult your doctor.

How to store topical minoxidil

Keep the bottle in a safe place, below 25°C (normal room temperature).

Keep out of the reach and sight of children. When empty, dispose of the bottle safely. To properly dispose of a partially-used bottle, empty as much of the contents as you can into a sink, and wash away with running water. Never try to burn a bottle of topical minoxidil.

2. Beard Roller

The Beard Roller is a grooming tool that creates micro-punctures on the surface of the skin to stimulate dormant follicles, activate the body’s natural healing capabilities, and increase blood flow. The Beard Roller head contains 540 needles made from a titanium alloy.

How to use the Beard Roller

Only use the Beard Roller once or twice a week, and leave at least three days between each Beard Roller use to allow your skin to repair.

To use the Beard Roller:

1. Sterilize the head of the Beard Roller using the Sanitiser provided with the Kit.
2. Gently apply pressure and roll the Beard Roller across the areas of the beard you want to grow for a total of 2-3 minutes.
3. Wash the Beard Roller with warm (not boiling) water, dry it with a paper towel, and store it in a cool, dry place.

Note: do not use the Beard Roller on the same days that you use topical minoxidil, as this may cause too much minoxidil to be absorbed into the body. Instead, wait 24 hours after rolling before applying topical minoxidil.

There are three directions you can roll in when using the Beard Roller to get the most out of it:

• Horizontally.
• Vertically.
• Diagonally.

You can also roll forwards and backwards, or up and down over a specific area.

Do not twist or turn the Beard Roller while rolling it over the beard, as this may cause the needles to damage the skin.

You should only apply gentle pressure to the areas of the beard you want to target to avoid piercing the skin too deeply. When used properly, the Beard Roller should not be painful to use.

You may experience redness in the areas that have been rolled over, but this is normal. This happens because the needles on the Beard Roller create micro-punctures on the surface of the skin which trigger the body’s natural healing process and increase blood flow to the skin - giving it a reddish appearance.

Any redness should disappear within one to two days. Once the skin has completely healed, you can use the Roller again. We recommend using the Roller once a week to start with, but you may use it twice a week once your skin adapts to the treatment.

3. Activator Gel

The Activator Gel is a liquid solution formulated to create the best micro-environment for beard hair growth.

How to use Activator Gel

After rolling your beard with the Beard Roller (see “How to use the Beard Roller” above for instructions), apply 2 pumps of Activator Gel to your face and rub it in until it is absorbed.

The Activator Gel works best when combined with the Beard Roller because the Roller creates micro-channels in the skin that allow the Gel to be absorbed deeper.

Activator Gel ingredients

Water, Glycerine, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Biotin, Folic Acid, Cyanocobalamin, Niacinamide, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Yeast Polypeptides, Arginine, Lysine, Histidine, Aspartic Acid, Threonine, Glutamic Acid, Serine, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol.

Precautions

Do not use Activator Gel if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in it. Always consult your doctor or other relevant healthcare professional before using Activator Gel to ensure it is safe for you to use. Avoid eye contact with Activator Gel, and rinse thoroughly if contact does occur. Do not swallow. In case of skin irritation, discontinue use and seek medical advice from a licensed health professional. Perform a patch test (place a small amount of Gel on your skin to test for allergic reaction) before use. Store Activator Gel in a cool, dry place.

4. Sanitiser

The Sanitiser is an alcohol-based spray that is used to clean the Beard Roller before each use.

How to use the Sanitiser

Spray the Sanitiser 2-3 times evenly onto the head of the Beard Roller to disinfect it before use.

Sanitiser ingredients

Water, Alcohol, Propylene Glycol.

Precautions

Do not use the Sanitiser if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in it. Always consult your doctor or other relevant healthcare professional before using the Sanitiser to ensure it is safe for you to use. Avoid eye contact with the Sanitiser, and rinse thoroughly if contact does occur. Do not swallow. In case of skin irritation, discontinue use and seek medical advice from a licensed health professional. Perform a patch test (place a small amount of Sanitiser on your skin to test for allergic reaction) before use. Store the Sanitiser in a cool, dry place.

5. Beard Comb

Made from stainless zinc alloy, the Beard Comb is a pocket-sized grooming tool used to style and shape the beard. It can also be used to prevent ingrown hairs and distribute Activator Gel throughout the beard for complete coverage.

How to use the Beard Comb

To use the Beard Comb:

1. Hold the comb with the teeth facing up and comb upward and outward, starting from your neck and working your way up to your chin.
2. Work your way up the jawline and surrounding areas until you have combed the beard through completely.
3. Use your hand or the comb to brush the beard down and style it to your taste.

If the comb gets tangled or ensnared in any hair, don’t pull on the comb as you may risk pulling beard hairs out. Instead, take the comb out of the beard and try gently running it through again.

Looking after your beard comb

To keep your Beard Comb in good condition, make sure you rinse and dry it thoroughly after use (especially when using it after applying topical minoxidil or Activator Gel to your beard).

Getting in touch with us

If you have any questions about the Beard Growth Kit, please email [email protected] and our clinical team will get back to you as soon as possible.

In case of an urgent medical problem, please contact NHS 111 via 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.