SpencerKobren
10-29-2008, 04:22 PM
The Hidden Dangers of Online Hair Loss and Hair Transplant Message Forums
Where do you get your medical information? Well, if you’re living in the 21st century and reading this post the answer is probably the internet. As a matter of fact, the world wide web is the most widely used source for medical information both by medical professionals and the lay public. Did you ever ask yourself where this information came from or if it’s even accurate?
Well, if you’re researching hair loss and surgical hair restoration you should!
Just like any other industry selling a product or service, the hair loss and hair transplant field is a fiercely competitive business. It is an industry that is almost completely unregulated. Any doctor who has a valid medical license can claim that they are an expert hair transplant surgeon and market themselves to the unsuspecting public as a “leader” in the field. Anyone can launch a hair loss website and control the flow of information as they see fit.
For decades, unethical hair loss marketers and hair transplant mills have been buying the public’s opinion through advertising on late night television. Now a much less expensive, yet more sophisticated marketing vehicle has been created…the online message forum.
Message forums were originally created to foster the free exchange of information among forum users without the confusion of marketing hype. Prospective hair transplant patients and hair loss consumers were encouraged to ask questions and engage in discussion about anything and everything concerning hair restoration. The concept appeared to be empowering, however there always existed one problem: Where and from whom was this information coming from?
Fast forward to today. What was once thought to be a safe place to learn about hair loss and hair transplantation has become a breeding ground for gorilla marketers posing as actual patients and hair loss sufferers. The most egregious offences come in the form of agenda driven posts created by forum administrators and their multiple pseudonyms intentionally misleading their trusting readers.
The sad truth is that this once wonderful resource of information for people trying to help themselves, and to learn more about hair loss and hair restoration has become corrupted.
We have been asked by both the hair loss community and the ethical members of the hair loss industry, to create a resource that would be untouched by the corruption that permeates many of the existing entrepreneurial message forums. A place where vulnerable hair loss sufferers can ask questions and learn from truly concerned professionals and veteran hair loss consumers who have no political or financial agendas.
I am pleased to announce the launch of a new breed of hair loss message forum. Welcome to Baldtruthtalk.com!
Baldtruthtalk.com is a joint effort of The American Hair Loss Association, the nation’s foremost 501 (c) 3, non-profit hair loss organization, The International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons, and The Bald Truth.
None of the above mentioned organizations or myself will be receiving any extra “sponsorship fees” or donations from experts or recommended hair transplant surgeons who participate on this forum. There will be no advertisements of any kind accepted on Baldtruthtalk.com. There will be no financial incentive given to physicians to post images or to link to this forum. There is no financial incentive behind the creation of this resource. It is being created for one reason, and one reason only, because there is a need for it!
I hope you use it well, and enjoy your experience.
Spencer Kobren
Founder, American Hair Loss Association (http://www.americanhairloss.org/)
Where do you get your medical information? Well, if you’re living in the 21st century and reading this post the answer is probably the internet. As a matter of fact, the world wide web is the most widely used source for medical information both by medical professionals and the lay public. Did you ever ask yourself where this information came from or if it’s even accurate?
Well, if you’re researching hair loss and surgical hair restoration you should!
Just like any other industry selling a product or service, the hair loss and hair transplant field is a fiercely competitive business. It is an industry that is almost completely unregulated. Any doctor who has a valid medical license can claim that they are an expert hair transplant surgeon and market themselves to the unsuspecting public as a “leader” in the field. Anyone can launch a hair loss website and control the flow of information as they see fit.
For decades, unethical hair loss marketers and hair transplant mills have been buying the public’s opinion through advertising on late night television. Now a much less expensive, yet more sophisticated marketing vehicle has been created…the online message forum.
Message forums were originally created to foster the free exchange of information among forum users without the confusion of marketing hype. Prospective hair transplant patients and hair loss consumers were encouraged to ask questions and engage in discussion about anything and everything concerning hair restoration. The concept appeared to be empowering, however there always existed one problem: Where and from whom was this information coming from?
Fast forward to today. What was once thought to be a safe place to learn about hair loss and hair transplantation has become a breeding ground for gorilla marketers posing as actual patients and hair loss sufferers. The most egregious offences come in the form of agenda driven posts created by forum administrators and their multiple pseudonyms intentionally misleading their trusting readers.
The sad truth is that this once wonderful resource of information for people trying to help themselves, and to learn more about hair loss and hair restoration has become corrupted.
We have been asked by both the hair loss community and the ethical members of the hair loss industry, to create a resource that would be untouched by the corruption that permeates many of the existing entrepreneurial message forums. A place where vulnerable hair loss sufferers can ask questions and learn from truly concerned professionals and veteran hair loss consumers who have no political or financial agendas.
I am pleased to announce the launch of a new breed of hair loss message forum. Welcome to Baldtruthtalk.com!
Baldtruthtalk.com is a joint effort of The American Hair Loss Association, the nation’s foremost 501 (c) 3, non-profit hair loss organization, The International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons, and The Bald Truth.
None of the above mentioned organizations or myself will be receiving any extra “sponsorship fees” or donations from experts or recommended hair transplant surgeons who participate on this forum. There will be no advertisements of any kind accepted on Baldtruthtalk.com. There will be no financial incentive given to physicians to post images or to link to this forum. There is no financial incentive behind the creation of this resource. It is being created for one reason, and one reason only, because there is a need for it!
I hope you use it well, and enjoy your experience.
Spencer Kobren
Founder, American Hair Loss Association (http://www.americanhairloss.org/)