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:
· Hair Density and Coverage
· Give Us Your Feedback
· Virtual Hair Restoration Consultation
· Upcoming One-on-One with the doctors
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Density and Coverage:

People often confuse hair density with coverage. While density represents the hair mass as related to a specific area of the scalp, density is influenced by such factors as hair number, texture, curl, wave, the diameter of the hair shaft and most critically the space between each follicular unit (hair group). It is difficult to control density during the surgical hair restoration procedure. Characteristics such as the texture, curl, wave, and the diameter of the hair shaft are quite fixed and cannot be controlled by the physician.

Coverage on the other hand is a little different. It represents the amount of hair that one sees on the scalp. Coverage is independent of hair mass or density and describes how much the hair would hide or conceal of the underlying scalp. For example, if a book were placed on a person's head it would provide for no more coverage of the scalp than a single of its pages, even though the book has a far greater mass or density. This is why surgical hair restoration, when performed by an experienced physician is so effective. The scalp can be adequately concealed by redistributing the hair in a fashion to achieve an illusion of density. This illusion can be controlled by the way the receptor site is made, the way the follicular unit is harvested from the donor area at the back of the head and the way it is placed in the receptor site at the top and sides.

Often times this requires placing the receptor sites and inserting the grafts so that they are closer together. This can be accomplished in just one session where grafts are placed very closely together, or in two or more procedures where grafts are placed at reasonable distance from one another and then during the second procedure additional grafts are placed between those of the first procedure.

Because of new microsurgical instrumentation and advanced grafts placement techniques, follicular units can now be placed closer together without an associated problem with available blood supply. Today experienced surgeons are typically placing 20 to 30 grafts per centimeter depending upon the area of the scalp. The prospective patient should take caution with those that do not exclusively specialize in surgical hair restoration since they do not have the benefit of performing a great many procedures. They often perform low-density transplants claiming that is a benefit to the patient. They claim that high-density transplants don't work because the blood supply of the scalp can't handle it. This is not true and has been disproved by the governing body for surgical hair transplantation, The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS).

While dense packing of grafts is not easy, and while one may be familiar with the techniques necessary, it requires significant practice and experience in order to do so successfully. Naturally, someone with a thicker caliber hair could probably get away with a lower percentage of grafts than the person with thin or fine hair.

In short, with today's modern surgical instrumentation and techniques even those with less density can enjoy good coverage of their scalp. The bottom line is… "There's just no reason to be bald or thinning anymore."

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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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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:

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

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