Operation Restore
Locks of Love
National Alopecia
Areata Foundation
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THE HAIR RESTORATION REPORT October 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 "WHORL"The area of the head commonly referred to as the "bald spot" is the vertex or crown of the head. Unlike the frontal area of the scalp, where all the hair is angled forward, the vertex, or crown, has varying types of circular arrangements of hair circling around a central point at different angles. This is also referred to as the "whorl." Each individual whorl is unique. Some have a very tight whorl while others are more diffuse. But there are several distinct patterns of the whorl. The most common is the clockwise whorl. This pattern means that the hair is arranged in a clockwise direction. That is, the whorl pattern runs from right or left of the center point. Nearly seventy five percent of all men have this pattern. The next most common pattern, which occurs in about ten percent of men, is the counterclockwise pattern of the whorl. This pattern essentially represents a mirror-imaged symmetry to the clockwise pattern. There are also two types of double whorls: one clockwise and the other counterclockwise, and about four percent have this type of pattern with a whorl on the right side of center and a whorl on the left side of center. Finally there is the pattern with no noticeable whorl, and only about ten percent of men have this pattern. This often is the case for African-Americans, many of whom have no discernible pattern of a whorl. When we think of hair loss in men, many often think of this bald spot where the whorl exists. Yet it is hair loss that occurs in the front two-thirds of the scalp beginning in the temple regions which is most noticeable. Patients considering surgery should begin with this frontal area for other reasons. Recreating the whorl at the top of the head can require additional time, several procedures, and will consume significant donor hair which may leave little available for the front. If hair is transplanted in the vertex region first, one can develop a "doughnut" effect as hair loss continues to recede. Beginning with hair transplantation in this frontal region is a safer, more long-term cosmetic option. When hair is transplanted in the vertex, it is important to mimic the natural whorls that occur, and the instrument that the surgeon uses should be angled at 45 to 60 degrees when making the incisions for the receptor sites. In this way the hair can be angled to recreate the swirling effect. In addition follicles containing one to three hairs can be transplanted in this area of the scalp because these are the types that typically occur in the vertex. This is why it is critical that patients select a physician that has extensive experience in transplanting hair into the crown or vertex area and recreating the whorl. If you seek more information about hair restoration, I recommend that you contact a medical doctor that has years of experience specializing only in hair restoration. These professionals see the most number of patients and have the greatest level of experience. Thank you and best regards, Randall Sword, MD, FACEP, Diplomat of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgeons ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- When: Tuesday September 30 - 2:30 to 6:00pm Where: 4660 La Jolla Village Drive Suite 500 San Diego, CA Call 1-800-242-6900 for Reservations - By Appointment Only 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!
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