[TimeToAct]

I want to talk about potential cure for androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) and the role of Biochemistry in terms of finding such cure.

I am not a chemist, but I want to learn as much as possible about this issue and the knowledge, specialists and tools required to even start tackling a potential cure for androgenetic alopecia.

Where do you even start?

Have any of you ever thought of researching this issue?

Why exactly is it such a daunting task?

What are the main problems?

As far as I see it, there are several ways to go around finding a guaranteed cure (and not only a preventative measure such as finasteride (antiandrogen)).

1) Follicle sensitivity to DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) is the main culprit for genetic hair loss. Finding a way to prevent DHT affecting hair follicles is one way.

2) Finding way to force dormant hair follicles to grow again (triggering them in some way).

3) Ensuring hair multiplication by physical cloning of the hair follicles. This way limited donor supply for hair transplants would not be an issue anymore and there would be an actual cure for hair loss.

What are your thoughts on this subject, the methods, the resources required?

I want to learn as much as possible. Thank you!

[Babcock_Hall]

Finasteride is an inhibitor of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.

[TimeToAct]

Finasteride is an inhibitor of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.

It is not very effective, only slows down the inevitable, does not regrow hair and cannot do anything in temple loss.

[gregcc]

tofacitinib is an interesting one, it inhibits jak, seems to regrow hair but need to delver it there, they used dmso in a study with rats which regrew hair quickly and has been found to cure AA patients. The drug is fda approved for rheumatoid arthritis and one guy actually tried with ethanol but had no results.

Other potential cures are stem cells.