Minoxidil is used to treat a very specific kind of hair loss caused by damaged hair follicles due to overproduction of testosterone (androgenic alopecia for the nerds out there). This usually occurs due to genetics, aging, or stress where the excess testosterone weakens then kills the hair follicles. When used early (within 1-2 months of initial hair loss), treatment is about 40% effective for HAIR LOSS because there are so many other different mechanisms for losing hair in the body. In short, it can't revive dead follicles, replace them with new ones, or magically cause more to appear.

The idea that minoxidil would help hair growth comes from the idea that because minoxidil is also a vasodilator, it allows "extra" blood and oxygen to reach the hair follicle to help it produce more keratin. The clinical evidence for this is mixed at best, and you can bet big pharma would be advertising this like the cash cow it is if it worked (think about why there are no ads for penis enlargement pills).

I wouldn't normally say anything without presenting an alternative, but minoxidil is rather expensive (a 2-month treatment is like $50 if you're using it correctly, and you need to use it for ~6 months to start seeing results) compared to other folklore-inspired treatments (ex: essential oils). For the regular hair loss case, I usually tell people wigs are cheaper, last longer, and produce instant results.

Source: interned at a pharma company; this is based on their internal clinical results.

1.  Work out
2.  Increase protein intake.
3.  If you're patchy-bearded, just grow it out then shave it clean 3 or 4 times in cycle, don't wax, that destroys the roots.  Beard hair is exceptionally dry to start, I suffered split ends on the beard which caused patchiness, and started the whole re-shave, applying beard oil (oils dry beard hair) and it started growing well after about 6 months.

The whole point in getting hair to grow in faster and thicker is slicing it off, it trains the body into cellular reintegration as long as you don't bother the roots.  Seems counter-productive, shaving it off.  But that trains the body to learn to grow it back in better.  I got my chest hair and beard using these three bits of advice people spoke on here.

I thought I couldn't grow good facial hair, but I realized it was only because I wasn't being patient and kept messing with it.

I read that it's a good idea to wait about a month, but things like beard oil, working out, etc. can help with the process.

There are plenty of guides out there. Here is one that has plenty of information. http://www.realmenrealstyle.com/how-grow-beard/

I've read a lot on how to increase body hair (including facial hair) and many of them state that it's good to hit the gym and lift and increase the protein intake (still having balanced diet). Some of them said to not go with cardio so much as it decreases testerone level which is related with hair growth somehow…

I can confirm to this. I had an insignificant amount of facial hair months before I started going to the gym but now, though not a complete beard yet, I can see the growth on my chin as well a faster growth on my moustache. Also I'm 27 so theres hope.

I've heard from a lot of sources that castor oil helps with hair growth. I also speak from personal experience. I haven't tried it on my beard, but I used to have really scanty eyebrows, but after I started using castor oil on them, they have definitely thickened. Granted, you can't see results very fast, but if you keep at it for, let's say, a month, I think you'll see a difference.
And of course, maintain a healthy diet.

I've read a lot on how to increase body hair (including facial hair) and many of them state that it's good to hit the gym and lift and increase the protein intake (still having balanced diet). Some of them said to not go with cardio so much as it decreases testerone level which is related with hair growth somehow…

I can confirm to this. I had an insignificant amount of facial hair months before I started going to the gym but now, though not a complete beard yet, I can see the growth on my chin as well a faster growth on my moustache. Also I'm 27 so there's hope.

Having said that, there has been no Double blind random clinical tests done on Minoxidil use for facial hair growth so long term effects are not known. Common side-effects people have reported include:
-Mild Chest pain
-water retention/puffing
-itchiness

Source: Numerous online forums and my own personal use.

Of course, the amount of testoterone can play a factor too. Try consuming fitness suplement that enhances one. I can't promise anything, because it's once again, depending on your DNA. But you'll probably get a boost in the body hair department.

wait about ten years…it will get thicker...and take vitamins

Ha ha..

;D

i believe that shaving your beard regularly with a good old razor before letting your beard grow out is the best way to go.
it thickens the hair and makes it stronger.

I'm pretty sure this is the solution to your problem..