Testimonials

After signing all of their endless release forms, they came for the payment. They wanted the full funds before any work was going to be done and encouraged paying by cash or travelers checks. (In order to avoid cancelled checks from unhappy clients and taxation of profits, in my opinion.) They also encouraged cash payments by offering a 7% discount. They collected our money and began the procedure. It took them only about 30 minutes to complete a $2,200.00 job. (Which is unheard of when I asked HRS of Atlanta.)
The technicians turned me away from the mirror as they performed the dermal retention procedure. Afterwards, I realized that this was a calculated move. They don't want clients to see what they're putting on their heads. When I saw the results in the mirror, I was devastated. It was a wig- just a wig! And the imperfections were clearly visible. When I pushed my hair back, I could actually see the bottom of the wig. It stood out very badly.
When the stylist saw me looking in the mirror, he asked, "What's wrong?" I told him that this corner of the hairpiece was coming up and wasn't laying flat. He said that he would reapply the bonding solution and it would be fine. I touched the top of my head and it felt as though someone had stuck a bumpy piece of carpet on my head. I told him this and he assured me that the bumps would go down and the glue would disappear. (More lies- it stayed lumpy.) After a little more styling, they had me sign a "satisfaction after services are completed" document and hustled us out the door.
Once I flew home, I began to notice just how bad my "revolutionary European baldness treatment" looked. My hair stuck up at odd angles and the colors didn't match-- especially after it got wet. I called United Micro the day after the procedure and asked to speak with a manager. They refused to put me through to anyone and told me they would have Nicole Newton call me back. She did not call me back for over 48 hours, and my repeated calls to her were answered with, "She's with a client."
At my father's suggestion, I called HRS of Atlanta, and went there the next day to see what they could do about the mess. They suggested, since I was leaving for Mexico the next day, not to take the hairpiece off. Why? Because in the process of putting it on, United Micro Systems had shaved the front part of my head- leaving me with less hair that before. HRS restyled the inferior hairpiece as best they could. They also told me not to go into the ocean and get my hair wet because they thought that the piece would come off.
At this point, I was extremely depressed. My hair looked horrible. I called United Micro and asked for my money back. The contract stated 30 days guaranteed satisfaction, and I was not satisfied. They said that they would not refund my money but would immediately ship another hairpiece directly to HRS- and have it waiting for me when I returned from Mexico. I was in Cancun for seven days. While there, my hair piece had begun coming off on the sides, front, and back. Only 10 days had gone by since the "treatment." I spent $2,200.00 on this procedure and it only lasted 10 days?? Forced to wear my hat during the entire senior trip, I had to avoid swimming in the pool, snorkeling in the ocean, and other social activities.
Upon my return to Atlanta, I called HRS right away and asked if they heard from United Micro while I was gone. They said United Micro never called and never sent anything. I phoned New Jersey again. They gave me some excuses and said they would ship one out within 24 hours. Frustrated, I went to HRS. They told me that this type of procedure was outdated- a dinosaur from the early 1980's- and that procedures have greatly advanced since then. HRS also told me that if the piece wasn't removed, I would have permanent hair loss in the area United Micro applied the piece. They also discovered that my entire scalp was infected and scarred. After they removed the hairpiece, I looked at myself in the mirror and I began to cry.
United Micro had ripped out a lot of my hair with their "new revolutionary European baldness treatment." They had not "produced an individual hair effect immediately and painlessly." In my opinion, United Micro has breached their contract, misrepresented their service and committed fraud. Worse, they have caused me personal pain, suffering, and extreme embarrassment.

Justin

UNITIED MICRO SYSTEMS, INC.
Promenade North, Suite 3018
Main Street, Voorhees, NJ 08043

I am 18 years old. About a year ago, I started to experience hair loss- mostly a receding hairline in the front. I was embarrassed both at school and social situations and began wearing a hat as often as possible to hide the problem. As soon as I realized that I was losing my hair, I went to a dermatologist. After testing- that eliminated the possibility that the hair loss was due to health problems- the doctor told me that I basically had two options. One option was to take pills that have side effects, and the other option was surgical hair transplants.
I took the pills for six months and did not notice a significant change. So, I went to a free consultation at Medical Hair Replacement, which is a large chain located throughout the US. They said that they would like to wait until I was 21. After hearing this, I lost all hope of having the normal, full head of hair that other kids my age take for granted. I prayed for a miracle breakthrough. Then one day, while reading Super Street- a magazine targeted at the teen and young adult market- I noticed an ad that read, "New Revolutionary European Baldness Treatment, Ends Baldness, Total and Complete Scalp Adhesion Has Successfully Produced an Individual Hair Effect Immediately and Painlessly." The company was; United Micro Systems, Inc. Promenade North, Suite 3018 Main Street, Voorhees, NJ 08043
Although I was skeptical, I went ahead and requested the information packet. When the information arrived, it looked as though the brochure was a bit dated, but, at the time, I thought nothing of it. The brochure represented this procedure as one of a kind, and that they have the exclusive U.S. rights for this extraordinary baldness treatment. I later found out the truth is, in fact, that this procedure is widely available all over the country! However, at the time, I wanted badly to get something, anything done.
We called the company to ask specific questions about the procedure. They avoided certain questions, talked in circles around other questions and never explained that the service they were offering was a hairpiece- even when my father asked them directly if this was a hairpiece. They told us they used individual filaments meshed with your own hair and individually adhered to your scalp. I was desperate and finally convinced my parents into letting me get this "cutting edge" treatment.
We arranged for the date of the procedure just 3 days after my high school graduation and 2 days before I left for Cancun on my senior trip. I happily anticipated looking just like all the other boys at the beach.
I was excited as we arrived in New Jersey and drove to United Micro Systems. However, we realized that their office looked nothing like the picture in the brochure. It looked more like a dumpy hair salon. We were led into a secluded room where a smooth-talking sales guy name Robert Pease looked at my scalp and recommended treatment. Although I thought that the photographs of previous clients looked dated, I was too thrilled about having a full head of hair to question the pictures. However, my mother asked to see a client who had had the procedure done. One of their sales associates who had the procedure came in to meet us- but the man was in his late forties and difficult for me to relate to. Later, I realized that Mr. Pease was a very smooth talking guy who knew exactly how to manipulate people. They trick you into believing that this is truly a miracle treatment and is the best on the market today. They also tell you that they take individual pieces of hair and blend them together utilizing your hair that you still have, when in fact it is just a wig that is glued to your head over your existing hair. We were told to care for the treatment like regular hair- you can "comb it, swim in it, and participate in activities." (I was to soon find out that not only could I not go swimming with my new hair- I could not even get a comb through it.) Despite my mother's misgivings, we were persuaded to get the "dermal retention." Mr. Pease had me sign a contract, then immediately lined me up for the next available technician.
As they led us into the procedure room, they presented me with a book labeled, "Procedure Consent and Release for the Service of Dermal Retention." This book was like a novel- much to long to read and understand in that short amount of time. I was asked to initial almost every page. They brought out a sample of hair and compared it with my hair color and texture. The color looked fine- but they failed to show me what was going to be put on my head. (I never new what the wig looked like until HRS of Atlanta, a well know national hair replacement chain, took the thing off.)

Subject: Chronological history of events, issues and discrepancies that occurred during my encounter with Dermal Retention Corporation (also know as United Micro Systems) and Euro Development Corporation (also known as LaserStrand).

Initial Contact with Dermal Retention Corporation and Euro Development Corporation

I first heard of Dermal Retention Corporation through an ad published in "Car and Driver" magazine. I then visited their web site www.unitedmicrosystems.com. I contacted their office and was referred to Bill Mailahn who sent me additional information. The address of this company was:

United Micro Systems, Inc
Promenade North
3018 Main Street
Voorhees, NJ 08043

During this timeframe, the company relocated to Philadelphia, PA, and reopened under the name of Euro Development Corporation. They claimed to have an improved procedure called "LaserStrand" which offered enhanced permanency. I was assured that with this new system and no additional reattachment would be necessary for at least 3 to 4 months and the hair replacement unit would last 4 -5 years.

During my conversations with Mr. Mailahn he repeatedly confirmed the accuracy of the procedure as documented in the advertisements, memos, brochures and on the WEB site. The organization boosted that this system would provide freedom, self-esteem and confidence. I believed that Euro was honest in their commitments and trusted them to provide me a state-of -the-art system that would be professionally applied.

What actually occurred is defined in the proceeding sections of this document. Euro failed to adhere to their documented procedure. They used of a hair replacement unit that was highly inferior to those available with today's technology. The system was unprofessionally attached. They failed to provide adequate service and honor their warranty when numerous issues were presented to them.

My trust in their Corporation was shattered. I was exposed to great embarrassment and spend countless hours trying to obtain some type of satisfaction. I was finally forced to go to another hair replacement company and incur additional expense to achieve what they had promised me.

June 25, 2001 - Issues/Discrepancies Which Occurred During Procedure

Areas in italics were taken verbatim from the "LaserStrand" brochure and memos sent to me by Mr. Mailahn.

Brochure: "A senior technician will first diagram the area of the hair restoration you wish to have replenished."

What actually occurred: A technician measured the length and width of the area on top of my head with a flexible measuring tape.

Brochure: "Technicians working as a team will start to insert your new hair filaments to thinning areas of the scalp. They start at the rear of the balding area and work forward. The Euro Laser is used in this highly specialized procedure to enhance and promote a healthy blood supply in the treatment site. This enables the medical grade laser solution to gain maximum permanency with the skin."

Memo: "With this laser strand technology, we can now thicken up existing hair, not cover it like a conventional solid hairpiece…. A hair filament is not a solid based hairpiece, it is simply a small tiny open circle of individual hairs…. At the time of your procedure, these hair filaments will be directed throughout your thinning or bald areas of your scalp…. There is no base!…."

Numerous pages of the brochure contained detailed pictures to further define and support the documented procedure. Several pictures showed technicians using a magnifying glass as they inserted the individual hair filaments directly to the scalp.

What actually occurred: I was taken to a small crowded room with two technicians. My fiancée was told she could not remain in the room during this time. They turned my chair away from the mirror to prevent me from seeing what was going on. They started to glue a one-piece hair replacement on my head. About midway through they stopped and set me under what appeared to be a hair dryer for about 2 or 3 minutes. Hair filaments, either individually or in groups, were never applied. I was never consulted as to the desired level of thickness.

"Technicians will continue this highly specialized treatment until your desired amount of hair has been transferred to the treatment site."

What actually occurred: They continued to glue a one-piece hair replacement on my head. After completion, they again set me under what appeared to be a hair dryer for about 2 or 3 minutes. As previously stated in item 2, hair filaments, either individually or in groups, were never applied. I was never consulted as to the desired level of thickness.

"Final phase involves the creation of the hairline with natural receding and irregularity factors that constitute an individual natural head of hair only possible with this new technology."

This step never happened. No hairline was created as documented in the procedure.

"A master stylist now cuts and styles your newly created head of hair. Various styling concepts will be shown to you, thus assuring you of your preferred look. Additional hair can always be added if requested by you. Remember, hair has been prepared for you before your treatment."

What actually occurred: The one piece hair replacement was thinned out, heavily covered with mouse, and styled to cover the exposed front base of the hair replacement. Total completion time for the entire procedure was approximately 30 minutes.

Issues/Discrepancies Which Occurred Shortly After Procedure

The edges of the one-piece hair replacement were wavy and very rigid. I was told that they would flatten down after 2 or 3 shampoos. This never occurred.
I was told that this new "LaserStrand" method would achieve permanency for at least 3 to 4 months. After about 1 week the front had lifted over 1 inch and the sides were beginning to lift.
As documented in the brochure, the method would result in a virtually undetectable hair replacement. The front base of the one-piece hair replacement is very visible. The back of the hairpiece contained a raised ridge, creating a visible line on the back of my head.

July 13, 2001 Contacted Euro Development Corporation

1st call: Talked to receptionist. Put on hold. Could not get through to Euro Development service. Left message for Euro Service Personnel to call me back the same day. Call not returned.
2nd call: Talked to receptionist. Put on hold. Could not get through to Euro Development service. Left message for Euro Service Personnel to call me back same day. Call not returned.
3rd call: Talked to receptionist. Put on hold. Could not get through to Euro Development service. Left message for Euro Service Personnel to call me back same day. Call not returned.

July 14, 2001 Contacted Euro Development Corporation

1st call: Talked to receptionist. Put on hold. Could not get through to Euro Development service. Left message for Euro Service Personnel, Bill Mailahn and Manager to call me back same day. Call not returned.
2nd call: Talked to receptionist. Put on hold. Could not get through to Euro Development service. Left message for Euro Service Personnel, Bill Mailahn and Manager to call me back same day. Call not returned.
3rd call: Talked to receptionist. Put on hold. Could not get through to Euro Development service. Left message for Euro Service Personnel, Bill Mailahn and Manager to call me back same day. Call not returned.

July 16, 2001 Contacted Euro Development Corporation

1st call: Talked to receptionist. Put on hold. Could not get through to Euro Development service. Left message for Euro Service Personnel, Bill Mailahn and Manager to call me back same day. Call not returned.
2nd call: Talked to receptionist. Put on hold. Could not get through to Euro Development service. Left message for Euro Service Personnel, Bill Mailahn and Manager to call me back same day. Call not returned.
3rd call: Talked to receptionist. Put on hold. Could not get through to Euro Development service. Left message for Euro Service Personnel, Bill Mailahn and Manager to call me back same day. Call not returned.

July 20, 2001 Contacted by Euro Development Corporation

After 8 days and 9 calls Mark Nunn, a hair stylist, finally called me back. Below is a summary of the conversation.

TS: Problems with contacting Euro.
MN: Apologized.

TS: Hair coming loose.
MN: Caused by wetting of hair during styling.

TS: Edges lumpy.
MN: I don't know. Needs to be reapplied.

MN: Current affiliates.
TS: Want to find someplace close.

TS: Procedure - attaching filaments to scalp.
MN: Filaments attached to hair base not scalp.

TS: Is hairpiece used for everybody?
MN: Yes.

TS: Not what I was told and documented in procedure.
MN: Agreed.

TS: Front base shows.
MN: Is there anything you like about it at all?

TS: What procedure stated, video showed, WEB page showed, memos stated and Bill told me was not performed. Very dissatisfied. Mislead. Filaments not attached to hair. Hairpiece has a base. Service not calling me back. I would like to go to someone else, locally.

MN: Cannot satisfy everyone. Explained bonding technique. If you want to use a different bonding technique Euro will re-reimburse you. Any work done to existing hairpiece will be covered by Euro. If you want a different type of hair system Euro will send you one at their cost.
TS: To use another system from another company
MN: Not sure if we will cover the cost. You will need to talk to manager. We can send you a closed system, full base nylon type system, at no cost. Will order on Tuesday and ship out to you on the following Thursday. Further explained this full base system.

TS: Do you have different type of bonding glue?
MN: The one you have is the strongest. Explained other bonding solvents such as rubber cement type.

TS: What I need to do is talk to someone here in Fort Wayne to see what they can do.
MN: OK. If you see the full base system and like it I will send you one at no cost.
through 8, and items 18 through 25.