Congratulations! You have been selected to receive this issue of the "HAIR RESTORATION REPORT." This report contains tips on how to make the most out of the hair you already have, slow the hair loss process and more effectively plan and manage the restoration of your hair.

In This Issue:
· Medical vs Surgical Hair Loss Solutions
· Give Us Your Feedback
· Virtual Hair Restoration Consultation
· Upcoming One-on-One with the doctors
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Medical vs Surgical Hair Loss Solutions

Many people today are concerned about "what really works" in the arena of hair loss prevention and hair restoration. The fact is that there are over 60,000,000 men and more than 40,000,000 women suffering from hair loss in the US. Unbelievably, less than 3% ever do anything about it. WHY? Because they don’t know all the other FACTS about how to improve hair loss. Let’s face it the media is down on hair loss improvement. If you don’t believe it just go to any of the major search engines on the web and type in, hair loss or hair treatment. You will find hundreds of horror stories and all kinds of misinformation.

Surgery

So what works? There are a few other facts that people need to be aware of. FIRST: There are three ways to treat hair loss. The first is to REPLACE the hair that is lost through surgical hair restoration. This involves transplanting the hair that is naturally resistant to falling out from the back and the sides of the head to the top and the front. Surgery is light years ahead of the plugs of the past. Today's surgical techniques ensure a completely natural hairline, minimal pain, and far less impact to your pocketbook than ever before. Today's hair transplant grafts are nearly microscopic. These are transplanted in grafts the size of 1, 2 or 3 hairs. Once transplanted, they will grow forever without ever falling out. It is rare that grafts are ever rejected and the scabs that are formed after the surgery heal within a matter of days. The biggest complaint of hair restoration surgeons today is that the hair that is transplanted is so natural that few people ever notice that a transplant was performed. Of course this makes their patients VERY happy!

FDA Approved Medication

The SECOND and THIRD methods are to use medications to arrest hair loss. There are two medications that are aimed at stopping or slowing hair loss. They both have been around for more than a decade and they are the only two medications that are approved by the FDA. They are Propecia (containing the active ingredient, finasteride) and Rogaine (containing the active ingredient, minoxidil). These are the only two medications to have been proven safe for "lifestyle" use by the FDA. Even better, these medications have been shown to be more effective when used in conjunction with each other and with surgical hair restoration. In essence these therapies provide a one, two, three punch in stopping hair loss and recovering the hair you once had!

Propecia

Propecia is the first and only FDA approved pill proven to treat male pattern hair loss on the vertex (top of head) and anterior mid-scalp area in men. For most men, Propecia works. The results of 2 years of clinical testing showed favorable results for the vast majority of men on Propecia. Five to six men kept the same amount of hair. In addition, two to three men regrew some hair. And 80% were rated improved by doctors. Most men reported an increase in the amount of hair, a decrease in hair loss, and an improvement in appearance. These results are based on hair vertex studies at two years, of men aged 18 to 41 with mild to moderate hair loss. However, there is no evidence that Propecia works for receding hairlines at the temples.

Clinical tests showed Propecia was very well tolerated. Only a very small number of men had sexual side effects, with each occurring in less than 2% of men. They included less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection, and a decrease in the amount of semen. When the men who had these side effects stopped taking Propecia, the side effects went away. It is important to note that Propecia is for men only. Women who are or may potentially be pregnant must not use PROPECIA because of the risk that the active ingredient may cause a specific kind of birth defect. Likewise, women should avoid handling tablets that are crushed or broken. Propecia tablets are coated to prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling. Men that take Propecia daily often will see results in as little as 3 months. If you stop taking Propecia, however, your results will gradually go away over 12 months. And if it hasn't worked in 12 months, it is unlikely to be of benefit.

Rogaine

Rogaine on the other hand is also an FDA approved medication for hair loss but it is available over-the-counter without a prescription. Rogaine works in your scalp to enlarge your hair follicles and stimulate hair regrowth. Rogaine worked for most men with moderate degrees of hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), who used Rogaine for just 48 weeks in our clinical studies. Remember, individual results with Rogaine vary, although most men respond to its use. You may get better results if you have been losing hair for a shorter period of time or have little hair loss. Be sure to use Rogaine only as directed. Why do you need to use Rogaine for two to four months before seeing results? It's like an exercise program. You don't run 10 miles your first day. It takes time to build muscle. It's the same with your hair. If your hair is thinning, it's because the hair follicles in your scalp have been shrinking for years. That's where Rogaine works — inside your scalp — to revitalize hair follicles and stimulate hair growth. That's also why you need to stick with it for at least four months. If you use Rogaine twice a day, every day, you should see results by then, or maybe sooner.

Conclusion

In short there are only two ways to stop or slow your hair loss. One is Propecia, the FDA approved medication available by prescription. The other is Rogaine; the FDA approved over-the-counter medication available at your local drug store. To date, the only effective way to actually regain the hair you once had is through surgical hair restoration. Don't believe all the advertising you might be hearing about natural solutions, herbal remedies or hair growth potions. Regardless of what form of treatment you are comfortable with we urge you to see a hair restoration physician. Only a doctor that specializes in hair loss and regrowth can provide an accurate assessment of your specific situation. This is particularly true for women who often suffer from hair loss for other physiological reason.

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Revolutionary Video Consultation Network

Do you know that Dr. Sword can be in two places at one time? Only Sword Medical Center allows you to meet Dr. Sword and discuss with him your options for hair restoration from any of the conveniently located offices all over Southern California and in Albuquerque. The wide band video conferencing system allows you to see the doctor, REAL TIME. He can examine you and you can get all of your questions answered by one of the world's leading experts in hair restoration face to face!

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Give Us Your Feedback

Is there a topic you would like Dr. Sword to talk about? Let us know. Dr. Sword established this report to help educate and inform YOU his patients! His passion is helping men and women to enjoy a fuller and more enriching life that come with the confidence of having a full head of hair.

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A Virtual Hair Restoration Consultation

Now you can have a virtual consultation with Sword Medical Center with just a recent photograph of yourself and an Internet connection. By sending your photo to Sword Medical, the doctor can get an idea of your hair loss pattern and recommend a possible course of action. Just go to www.swordmedical.com/vc and complete the brief form. You will receive our evaluation and recommendations based upon your photos. Know that strict security and confidentiality will be assured.

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Meet Dr. Sword and some of his patients at an upcoming One-on-One with the doctor in your area. Call 1-800-242-6900 to RSVP or go to www.swordmedical.com/signup.html to sign-up.
Contact us at info@swordmedical.com

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Learn the facts about hair loss, become familiar with the different forms of restoration and meet Dr. Sword himself at one of our upcoming One-on-One with the doctors:

Woodland Hills One-on-One with the doctor
Date: Tuesday, January 7, 2003
Location: Warner Center Marriott
2nd Floor
21850 Oxnard Street
Woodland Hills, CA 91467
(818) 887-4800
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Riverside One-on-One with the doctor
Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2003
Location: Riverside Marriott
University Room
3400 Market Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(909) 784-8000
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Want to know more about the many options available to you in hair restoration, hair maintenance and hair replacement? Contact the Sword Medical Center office nearest you 1-800-242-6900 or go to www.swordmedical.com