I have a question about the process of hair loss in male pattern baldness (MPB).
The most generally accepted theory, as far as I know, is that a chain of events occur, along the following simplified lines:
1. Androgens, primarily DHT, attach to the androgen receptors (AR) of follicles.
2. Due to genetic factors, the ARs on follicles in the MPB area of the head thus trigger further actions. The details thereof are largely unknown.
3. The consequence of the actions mentioned in point 2 is that the immune system starts attacking said follicles.
4. The immune system slowly destroys the follicle, causing it to grow slower and miniaturize and leading to scalp fibrosis, until the follicle no longer grows hair.
Do you have any comments on the above, largely simplified process? I would be really interested in your thoughts on how the immune system is hurting the follicles, if that is indeed the case. Perhaps you could expand on point 2 and 3 and fill in some blanks? Or any other points for that matter that you feel are incorrect or lack precision? Or maybe you would like to add some points of your own? Perhaps even scrap the entire list and make a new one altogether?
Please excuse me if the questions and reasoning are a bit naive and simplistic at this point, I'm just trying to get the discussion going.
I would really appreciate your thoughts on the process!