Give it time and grow it out for 4-8 weeks. Sparse areas often look better once surrounding hairs are longer. Shape it to suit your natural growth pattern. The American Academy of Dermatology advice supports choosing styles that work with patchy growth.

Support normal hair growth: adequate protein and calories, good sleep, avoid smoking, and address iron, vitamin D, thyroid, or other deficiencies only if symptoms or testing suggest them. Supplements do not create a fuller beard if you are not deficient. Biotin can also interfere with some blood-test results.

Topical minoxidil is the only commonly used medicine with some evidence, but it is off-label for the face. It is FDA-approved for scalp hair loss, not beard growth. A small randomized study and limited case-level evidence suggest it can improve facial-hair density, but the evidence is much weaker than for scalp use and permanence after stopping is uncertain. A recent report describes beard improvement with 5% foam, but this is not high-quality proof. See the published case report.

If considering it, speak with a dermatologist first, especially if you have heart disease, low blood pressure, palpitations, eczema, or take cardiovascular medicines. Possible effects include facial irritation, flaking, itching, unwanted hair elsewhere, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, swelling, and chest pain. Stop and seek medical care for chest pain, fainting, shortness of breath, or a racing heartbeat.

Avoid oral minoxidil, testosterone, “testosterone boosters,” and finasteride for beard growth without a clinician. Oral minoxidil has systemic cardiovascular risks, and hormone treatment is not appropriate unless testing shows a genuine medical deficiency.

Skip unproven methods: shaving does not make hair grow back thicker, and oils, castor oil, and most “beard vitamins” have no good evidence for generating new follicles. Microneedling for beards has limited safety and effectiveness data, and may cause irritation, infection, scarring, or pigment changes.