I suppose you could experience problems with using a beard balm if you never wash it out. I would imagine that it would continue to build up on the beard hair. However, that would only cause heaviness to the beard and cause it to be flat. You would only experience possible follicle issues if you apply the balm to the skin underneath and it clogs the hair shaft. In any case you should at least be rinsing your beard well every day with cool or lukewarm water and washing at least once a week. A beard oil could help to remove the waxes of the beard balm.
I hope that this helps you.
ARB