Keratin.com: A Trusted Source of Information on Hair Loss Since 1998

In the vast digital world, finding reliable information can be a daunting task. Amidst the plethora of websites, I hope that keratin.com stands out when it comes to providing information on hair loss and alopecia. First launched in September 1998, Keratin.com was gradually built over the years into a resource about hair, hair growth and hair loss; not just focused on pattern alopecia, but also delving into some of the more obscure areas of hair biology. The old website and its forums were deleted a few years ago when it became too much for me to maintain, but now relaunched in May 2023 Keratin.com is reincarnated as a blog style website, albeit still focused on some of the less well studied niches of the hair world.

A Pioneer in Hair Loss Information: When Keratin.com was first launched in the 90s, the internet was still in its infancy and there was very little information about hair loss (anyone remember Mosaic, or even its predecessor Gopher?). The availability of online resources on health was quite limited, and the quality of material was often rather questionable (still is, yes?). Keratin.com emerged as a reliable source in the field of hair loss, dedicating itself to providing well-researched and factual information to the public. For over two decades, Keratin.com built a reputation as a trusted source for those seeking guidance and knowledge on hair and alopecia.

Filling the Gap in Education: Keratin.com’s mission and vision are epitomized in an excerpt first posted to the website in 1998 that encapsulates the essence of the website:

“In the spirit of the internet this web site is to provide basic, no nonsense information about hair and alopecia. The intention is to explain common questions you may have in addition to the information provided by your dermatologist. This web site should not be seen in any way as a replacement for advice obtained from a professional dermatologist. Many dermatology clinics are busy places where the dermatologist has only limited time to spend with each patient. He/she may not have enough time to answer all of a patient’s questions, or the patient may think of other questions to ask after the consultation is over. Web sites like this one hopefully fill the gap.”

This excerpt highlights the role Keratin.com was intended to play in complementing the information provided by dermatologists. It acknowledges the limitations that healthcare professionals might have in providing exhaustive information to their patients, and positioned itself as a helpful resource that could fill in the gaps.

Committed to Quality Information: Keratin.com is driven by a commitment to offer quality information without the fluff. It’s not just about providing information; it’s about providing the right information. People often have numerous questions about hair loss that they either forget to ask their dermatologist or don’t get the chance to. I hope that Keratin.com serves as an easily accessible platform where straightforward and factual answers can be found.

The references below listed Keratin.com as a reliable source of information back in the day.

Bibliography

1.
Jackson EA. Hair disorders. Prim Care. 2000 Jun;27(2):319–32.
1.
Rusting RL. Hair. Why it grows why it stops. Sci Am. 2001 Jun;284(6):70–9.
1.
Smith I. Dr. Ian Smith’s Guide to Medical Websites. Random House Publishing Group; 2001. 290 p.
1.
Lovett DG. Using the Web as a Resource on Hair Loss. Health Care on the Internet. 2002;6(1–2):99–109.
1.
Fox J. Case study of alopecia universalis and web-based news groups. Br J Nurs. 2003 May 8;12(9):550–8.
1.
Hunt N, McHale S. The psychological impact of alopecia. BMJ. 2005 Oct 22;331(7522):951–3.
1.
Watkins J. Alopecia, part 2: Scarring forms. Practice Nursing. 2009;20(9):454–9.