chapotraphouse

early beards always look like trash, because it never grows uniform. the cheat to look "professional" or at least tidy during those first weeks->months is to not shave but trim routinely at no guard, 1 guard, 2 guard, etc to keep the rest in line with the slowest growers and give all of it a chance to fill in.

Iirc rogaine works by stopping follicle shrinkage, which is why it's so specifically effective for pattern baldness. Probably doesn't do anything to areas where follicles are just sparse.

Have you tried letting it grow for a while? I used to keep my facial hair short or shaved for ages until I just tried letting it grow out. There was definitely an awkward phase where it looked awful, but it eventually hit a point where it filled in well enough.

Never tried any medications or products like that, so sorry I don't have any knowledge there.

Beware if you have any pets, especially cats, minoxidil is extremely toxic to them

I know of a guy who tried this in high school so he could grow try grow a beard and try sneak into night clubs. Based on the results, I wouldn't recommend it, he ended up with a bunch of fuzzy baby hairs all over his face.

I think minoxidil just makes hairs last longer, not make them denser or grow faster.

It's normal for beards to be uneven while growing in. If you want one, just pick a couple weeks where you're not going to see anyone you'll feel self conscious of seeing you with a crap beard. People start growing them during vacations for a reason.

doesn't minoxidil cause wrinkles and is basically the last thing you would want to smear on your face

Don't recommend doing that. Minoxidil is supposed to only be used on crowns.