All meds that work, work because...

[jambri]

I personally believe that all hairloss medications that work, work for precisely the same underlying reason:

Minoxidil/Rogaine/Regaine/Nizoral
Help to unclog/unblock the (already clogged) hair follicle, thereby reducing the likelihood of follicle fibrosis (scarring), and allowing a longer, uninterrupted growth cycle. These medications all have varying effectiveness, though all essentially do the same job.

Finasteride/Propecia/Dutasteride
Attempts to stop the hair follicle from getting clogged in the first place, via lowering systemic production of DHT (byproduct of testosterone). DHT is generally the primary culprit with regard to follicle clogging and fibrosis.

Various skin peel methods
Various harsh skin-peel methods might also marginally help to unclog the hair follicle (also will probably damage existing hair). However, skin peels generally have a shallow action, and follicles lie deeper within the scalp.

The above conclusion seems pretty likely to me - that when it comes down to it, hairloss is due to clogged follicles. But, I'm open to counter arguments.

 

[Aplunk1]

The above conclusion seems pretty likely to me - that when it comes down to it, hairloss is due to clogged follicles. But, I'm open to counter arguments.

No, hair loss is not the effect of clogged follicles. Even if we still found a great way of completely unclogging hair follicles on the scalp, someone would still have his or her hair miniaturizing.

 

[Back In Time]

I honestly wish it were just clogged follicles, the answers would be so much simpler. It's a chemical process.

I'm sure clogged follicles don't help hairloss any, but considering that blocking DHT improves most people's condition, it's pretty obvious there is something besides clogged follicles at work here.

 

[socks]

The main known factor that causes Androgenetic Alopecia is DHT. Free roaming testosterone infuses into hair follicles cells from the bloodstream. The 5ar enzyme then converts the testosterone into DHT. The DHT (along with any other androgen) binds to the androgen receptor which then signals the cell nucleus of the presents of androgens. The cell nucleus then "expresses" certain genetic code that has a negative effect on the growth of the hair follicle; The hair follicle atrophies and, eventually, dies permanently.

In short, hairloss is a genetic HORMONAL occurrence.