Operation Restore
Locks of Love
National Alopecia
Areata Foundation
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THE HAIR RESTORATION REPORT March 2003 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: The History of Hair TransplantationThe practice of hair transplantation has gone through various improvements both in surgical technique and instrumentation. Today's hair restoration surgery results in a look so natural that even with close inspection few people could differentiate between transplanted and naturally grown hair. Because of this I thought I would take the opportunity to talk about the history of Hair Transplantation. When It All Began Few people realize that hair transplantation has been with us for a very long time. In 1939 a Japanese dermatologist, Dr. Okuda, reported the use of auto-grafting, or using hair-bearing skin for correction of alopecia of the scalp, eyebrow and moustache areas. Unfortunately, this report was lost secondary to World War II. Donor Dominance Subsequently, a New York physician, Dr. Orentrich reported the same study in 1959. Dr. Orentrich used a 4mm. circular punch to bore out grafts from hair-bearing areas of the scalp and place them into non-hair-bearing areas. Dr. Orentrich used the term "donor dominance" to describe autografts that maintained their integrity and characteristics after transplantation to a new site called the "receptor site." A punch size of 4mm or ¼ inch was chosen as optimal for transplanting the greatest number of hair without incurring loss of the grafts due to a lack of blood supply at the center. While the 4mm grafts were optimum for the number of hairs per graft (15 to 20 per plug), these grafts produced an unnatural "pluggy look." Split Grafts In the mid to late 80's, various physicians tried to cut the grafts in half and referred to them as half grafts or split grafts, yielding 7 to 10 hairs per plug. By the early 90's the plugs were being divided into 4 parts or "quarter grafts'" containing 4 to 6 hairs. These were referred to as "mini grafts." Follicular Unit Transplantation By the mid 90's physicians were transplanting grafts containing one, two and three hairs each, and these were called micro grafts. Finally it was recognized that hair grew in groups of one, two and three hairs, and these groups were teased out and called follicular units. Presently, physicians are routinely transplanting 1,000 to 2,000 micro grafts or follicular units of hair in one session. Today, hair transplanted by experienced hair restoration surgeons is as close to our own God-given hair as physically possible. If you have any questions about surgical hair restoration I urge you to contact an American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery physician that specializes only in hair transplantation. These doctors are the most experienced hair restoration surgeons.
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. ------------------------------------------------- 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. ------------------------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------------------------- 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:
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
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