HairSite

Extracted from 4/17/98 correspondence in Discussion Group

Dear hairsite readers:

First let me say that I appreciate your interest in our procedure known as Cosmetic Transdermal Reconstruction. We were the first company in the world to introduce a successful direct to skin graft method of hair replacement that was based on a very strict dermatology protocol. For the right individual (one who qualifies for this procedure via our diagnostic evaluation test) CTR has proven itself to be unmatched and unrivaled in appearance, comfort (you feel nothing but hair and scalp) and security while eliminating the common problems with regular means of hair replacement (i.e.perimeter bonding) which grows off your head, creates a virtual bacteria cesspool and of course, requires daily maintenance. The biggest problems I have had with CTR and understand this is coming from my view as the manufacturer and developer of the technology is the following. In general I have had a difficult time with the industry itself in that I find most retail centers in this industry unqualified to perform CTR which requires a near medical like approach to the proper application of the graft. The success or failure of the application relies heavily on following exacting protocol, which is the antithesis of how the industry has functioned. Further many hair replacement centers have unfairly misrepresented our product, attempting to sell it to everyone, even though 40% of the men and 5% of the women will not qualify due to their personal body chemistry. Second there seems to be some miscommunication or misunderstanding of what one can expect when evaluating this or any other procedure. First let me state that for all it's benefits and features, CTR is not perfect. in as many as 50% of those who do in fact qualify, these individuals will have to return to the authorized center prematurely because the transdermal bond has weakened in areas and the procedure needs to be adjusted or fine tuned to suit their personal chemistry. This may take 3-5 visits in some cases until we can determine which of the 6 transdermal retention solutions (i.e adhesives) works best in providing a solid, maintenance free application for 3.5 to 4 weeks. Once we have the proper combination for an individual, from that point on, we see applications which are virtually problem free. However, this greatly depends on the technical skill of person doing the application and their strict adherence to our defined protocol. Lastly, a number of the centers that started out with CTR are no longer our affiliates for a number of reasons and these places are not now authorized to sell or service CTR. Some centers, such as.......(edited)... whose predatory nature and lack of ethics and professionalism have caused his demise with CTR and he and other former affiliates have created a CTR-like knock off known as THR (how original). My only suggestion with with regards to CTR knock offs is the following. 1. Ask what adhesive they are putting on your scalp.(some are extremely toxic and dangerous). 2. Insist on seeing independent laboratory testing, preferably by an FDA approved lab for primary dermal irritation, cyto-toxicity, moisture vapor transmission rates (mvtr) and skin absorption. We provide this information in a 31 page consumer safety handbook and you should insist on getting it all. If they can't show you such high level of documentation, run-don't walk the other way. DO NOT ACCEPT AN MSDS-MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET ON ADHESIVES AS PROOF OF SAFETY. THEY CAN BE GENERATED BY ANYONE, UNREGULATED AND REQUIRE NO TESTING AS MENTIONED ABOVE. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR HEALTH AND IS NOT AN AREA TO PLAY WITH. Further, in reading the latest THR brochure from Emerging Solutions...........(edited). those of you familiar with Versacchi's CTR brochure will note that much of the information has been direct copied from our brochure (plagiarized). Essentially this is a group of hair replacement centers who fell out of grace with us and are attempting to compete with CTR, using any method available to them. While I have never engaged in the type of slanderous activities these folks have a penchant for, consider this: THR, claims in it's brochure that their "exclusive adhesives are FDA approved". this is an outright untruth, as anyone who calls the FDA in Washington DC, will find that the FDA does not approve or disapprove adhesives used in the unregulated hair replacement industry, it is not in their venue to do so. Further it is a civil offense to use such a statement in the promotion of any product material in a brochure or sales aid, which claims to have FDA approval in a non drug environment. Versacchi has always stood for cleaning up this industry which is infested with the morals and ethics of the used bedding industry. We are today and will remain in the future, the company that brings you, the consumer, safe high technology hair replacement alternatives and will continue to so with the benchmark of integrity this industry so sorely needs. If anyone would like to speak with me, (edited) leave your message here in Discussion Group and I shall respond promptly. Also, please visit our web site in May'98 at www.versacchi.com. it will be highly controversial as we expose the industry for what it is and deliver real information you can count on. I look forward to hearing from you soon.