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:
· How dense is “dense?”
· Give Us Your Feedback
· Virtual Hair Restoration Consultation
· One-on-One with the Doctor
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How dense is “dense?”

Your hair is thinning. You’re experiencing hair loss. You want greater hair density, and you’ve decided that surgical hair transplantation is right for you. But what’s the best protocol to help you achieve the density you’re looking for?

We’ve all seen them… ads touting “mega-session” hair transplant procedures. “3,500 grafts… 4,500 grafts… all in one procedure.” Do more grafts actually result in greater density? What are the risks associated with mega-session procedures? What are the limitations of the donor area? What’s the difference between 1500 natural follicular units and 4500 medically altered follicular units?

It’s important to know the truth and to understand the mathematics of hair restoration before making a decision on the best possible treatment plan. Here’s an overview:

DONOR AREA:
The donor area, the back of the scalp, above the back hairline near the base of the skull. This is where we harvest the hairs (the follicular units) that will be transplanted to the areas of thinning and loss. (See http://www.swordmedical.com/hair_loss_solutions.asp ) Because this area has limited mobility, we must limit the height of the incision to less than a ¾ ”. The length of the incision is determined by the number of grafts needed. (Supply-and-demand.) In most cases, the incision cannot extend beyond the tip of the ear on either side. An average-sized head with average density will generally provide a maximum of 2,200 follicular units in this incision area. (But this can and does vary by individual. To extend beyond what’s described, either in height or width, is unwise and unsafe.) If the demand warrants it and the supply supports it, the procedure is set.

DENSITY-VS-NUMBERS:
For purposes of understanding the mathematics of hair transplantation, we’ll assume a donor strip with 2,200 follicular units. It’s important to remember that follicular units are pockets of individual hair follicles, ranging from 1 to 4. Follicular units are how hair grows naturally, they create the overall density throughout our scalp and they grow in random scatterings from the front hairline to the back hairline. On average, there are 2.8 hairs per follicular unit, which translates to 6,160 individual hair follicles with our 2,200 follicular units.

This is where it gets interesting. Dr. Sword believes (as does Mother Nature itself) that to create the most natural and most dense hair pattern, follicular units should be kept in their native state. This means, when we harvest the follicular units out of the donor area, we keep them in their 1, 2, 3 or 4 hair condition and simply relocate them to the areas of thinning and loss – randomly scattering them throughout, mirroring your natural hair growth direction(s). Mega-sessions, on the other hand, are limited to the same number of follicular units (2,200) and the same number of hairs (6,160). What happens, though, is the natural follicular units are dissected into smaller grafts, yielding a greater number of overall follicular units.

So let’s say the 2,200 native follicular units are dissected into 5,000 smaller follicular units – most holding single hairs and some holding two hairs. What will this mean in terms of density?


PHYSIOLOGICAL LIMITATIONS:
Regardless of the size of the follicular unit (1 to 4 hairs), to insure the vitality of hair follicles there is a physiological limitation to how closely grafts can be placed. What this means is regardless of whether a graft is 1 hair or 4 hairs, it requires the same amount of distance around it to insure necessary blood flow to be viable. This is not only a physiological limitation, it is also a mathematical one.

If in one square inch, 120 grafts can be placed, what will create the greater density? 120 single-hair grafts resulting in 120 hairs per square inch, or 120 3-hair grafts resulting in 360 hairs per square inch. The answer is obvious. To create not only the greatest density but the most natural result, follicular units should remain in their native state. Mega-sessions simply spread out the same number of hairs over a larger area, resulting in much thinner hair. Additionally, if 2,200 grafts is the maximum number of grafts that can be placed in a given area of need (regardless of the size of the grafts, remember), then where are the other 2,800 grafts being placed in a mega-session? Quite simply, they’re being placed in areas of the scalp where they are not needed. Either that or they are being placed too closely together to allow for proper blood supply, and a significant number of the grafts will not survive.

When it’s time to consider surgical hair transplantation, trust in the industry leader, Sword Medical Center. We’ll let you know the truth, the limitations, the risks and the best possible treatment plan to help you achieve the look you’re hoping for.

Dr. Randall Sword has helped more Southern Californians recover from hair loss than any other practicing physician, and he’ll be your personal surgeon. Give us a call today if there is anything we can do for you.

Kelly McRae
Senior Counselor
Sword Medical Center

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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 comes 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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One-on-One with the Doctor!
Invest in some “one-on-one” time with the expert in hair restoration. Dr. Sword has helped more people recover from hair loss than any other physician in Southern California.

When: Tuesday January 6 - 12:00 to 5:00pm

Where: 3639 E. Harbor Blvd., Suite 104 Ventura, CA 93001

Call 1-800-242-6900 for Reservations - By Appointment Only
Or go to www.swordmedical.com/signup.html
Contact us at info@swordmedical.com
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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

At Sword Medical Center you will be treated by Dr. Randall Sword himself. Dr. Sword has performed more than 17,000 procedures and has practiced ONLY hair restoration for over 16 years. He has treated Over 7,000 patients and transplanted more than 5 million grafts!