An automated FUE machine is a robotic hair restoration system that is designed to perform follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedures. Automated FUE machines are a fairly recent invention. In fact, a lot of patients have no idea that a surgery this intricate can be performed by a machine. In this article, we will learn about how an FUE hair transplant machine works and how it differs from traditional FUE hair transplant surgery. We’ll even go over two examples of hair transplant robotics currently in use: Neograft and Artas.
FUE: An Answer to Hair Loss
For patients struggling with hair loss, thinning hair, or balding, FUE transplants are a permanent solution to this problem. While it’s true that medications such as minoxidil (Rogaine) and Propecia may be effective for some people, they are only going to work so long as you are taking the medication regularly. If you stop taking the medications your hair will continue to fall out as before. These medications are also more appropriate when the goal is to prevent further hair loss, they won’t necessarily do much to regrow hair that you have already lost. FUE is a long-term solution that involves removing follicular grafts from the back of the head and transplanting them into the thinning and balding areas.
FUE differs from the other type of hair transplantation surgery FUT (follicular unit transplantation) in that there is less chance of scarring. FUT is performed by removing a thin strip of the scalp from the back of the head in order to harvest the follicular grafts. FUT is more invasive than FUE and requires that the donor area of the scalp be sutured, which can leave a long horizontal scar. With FUE, the grafts are removed individually, in a dispersed pattern. When performed properly, there is virtually no visible scarring with FUE.
FUE is a very intricate and time-consuming procedure when performed by hand, and so increasingly hair clinics are adopting automated FUE machines for their use. Robotic hair restoration systems such as the Artas or the Neograft are two popular models that are prevalent in some practices that offer hair restoration services.
Artas Automatic FUE Machine
The Artas robotic hair transplant machine has several pros. First off, it utilizes an algorithm that can speed up the process of extraction. Additionally, it’s able to identify which follicles are the best candidates for transplant. And let’s be honest. That’s pretty cool. Artas accomplishes this by analyzing their features including angle, orientation, distribution, density, and direction. These identification procedures increase the efficiency of the procedure and produce good results.
The cons of this machine are that the imaging technology does not seem to be as effective at identifying good candidates for extraction when the patient has hair that is either very pale or very curly. Artas also has its limits as far as which regions of the scalp the hair can be extracted. For example, when surgeons perform FUE by hand they are able to harvest follicular grafts from the nape of the neck, the beard, or any other place where the hair grows. Artas is limited to the back of the head, and the sides.
Another disadvantage of robotic hair restoration machines like the Artas is that they can increase the risk of “buried grafts”. These can sometimes happen when the surgeon is using a manual punch tool, but they are far more likely to happen with an automated FUE machine, especially if the operator is inexperienced. When the surgeon is working by hand they are better able to feel the resistance of the tissue, therefore they are better able to judge the correct depth needed to harvest follicular grafts. With robotic hair transplants, this kind of discernment is not possible.
Neograft Automatic FUE Machine
The Neograft is another automated FUE machine that has been aggressively marketed to many hair clinics. It promises faster, easier procedures for physicians that don’t necessarily specialize in surgical hair restoration or are still fairly inexperienced. In fact, some clinics choose hair transplant robots to do their jobs in the same way grocery stores are firing their clerks in favor of automated checkout machines.
In the right hands, the Neograft machine can be a wonderful tool for reducing the amount of time that an FUE procedure takes. However, it is no substitute for an experienced surgeon. In the wrong hands a patient could wind up with a hair transplant that has an unnatural appearance, that may need to be corrected with more surgery. In this instance, any supposed cost savings are lost. According to Healthline, Neograft machines may be able to harvest more grafts per session, but they are not as precise as manual FUE procedures.
In other words, choosing the Neograft automatic FUE machine for a transplant really comes down to what you value most. Is time more important than final results? If so, an FUE robotic transplant machine like Neograft might be fine for you. However, if you’re more interested in professional, long-lasting results that look as natural as possible, just know FUE robotics still can’t hold a candle to a good hair transplant surgeon.
Robotic Hair Transplant Costs
According to various transplant clinics, Artas robotic hair transplant surgery typically runs the gambit of $7,000-$18,000 per procedure. Again, this all depends on how far-gone one’s hair loss is and what amount of hair they’re left with. Additionally, like all hair transplants, it’s important to know if you’ll need more than one procedure or if your head can handle more than one. Finally, these factors depend on the location a surgery is performed and if the surgeon is board-certified.
Neograft hair transplants tend to cost about the same amount as Artras procedures. Typically, clinics quote costs ranging from $5000-15,000 for a Neograft transplant. Of course, prices change from region to region and clinic to clinic. Prices can go up or down depending on the supervising doctor’s credentials. Also, average quotes fall closer to $10,000 per procedure in the United States. So if a price seems too good to be true, ask plenty of questions because you want to make sure you’re getting a quote for the right number of grafts. This is no place to negotiate on quality or the number of grafts you think you can or can’t do without.
No Automated FUE Machine Can Match A Skilled Surgeon
At Best Hair transplant we believe that no machine can replace or replicate the skills of an experienced surgeon. If you are considering getting a hair transplant that involves an automated FUE machine, there are some very important questions you should ask your prospective surgeon during your initial consultation.
For starters, have they trained specifically in hair restoration, and if so, for how long? Is the majority of their practice hair restoration, or do they offer other types of services as well? How many years of experience do they have performing FUE’s? Are they willing to share Before and After photos? Can they refer you to at least 20 past patients that have had this procedure? Do they perform any of the surgery by hand or is it all done with a robotic automated FUE machine?
Any experienced hair restoration surgeon who has performed at least a full-year fellowship in hair restoration surgery and is also certified by the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgeons will tell you that this is a procedure that requires a practiced hand, and a lot of attention to detail. These skills cannot be acquired in a one-weekend course, and they certainly cannot be replicated by artificial intelligence. Each patient has a unique pattern of hair loss. Additionally, their facial features must be taken into consideration in order for the transplant to be as natural and flattering as possible. In our opinion, this is a procedure you want performed by a team with an experienced physician leading the charge.
SUFFERING FROM HAIR LOSS?
At Best Hair Transplant in Los Angeles, we believe there is no substitute for the personalized touch of human hands. While robotic hair restoration is an impressive technological innovation, we believe that our non-mechanical approach will deliver superior results. And with our outstanding prices at $5 per graft, we are still more affordable than many clinics that do utilize automated FUE machines. Schedule a complimentary consultation today to learn more about why our FUE procedures are the best value available. We look forward to meeting you.
Best Hair Transplant is the best place to schedule your hair transplant in Los Angeles. We’ve helped both men and women regrow their lost hair. But don’t take our word for it. We suggest learning as much as possible about hair restoration. Do so prior to making a decision on how to address your hair loss. Not every procedure is right for everyone.
At Best Hair Transplant, we’re proud of our results and happy to provide hair restoration services. Additionally, we’re proud to make hair transplants affordable and help you save money on a variety of hair transplants. To ensure your ease of mind, you can view our customer recommendations HERE. Furthermore, you can also see our Google reviews and Yelp reviews. We can’t wait to help you start restoring your lost hair.
YOUR HAIR RESTORATION SOLUTION
Best Hair Transplant
1970 S. Prospect Ave., Suite 2
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(213) 403-0455
References:
- https://mcgrathmedical.com/news/neograft_hair_transplant/
- https://medicaltravelmarket.com/news/robotic-hair-transplant-compared-to-manual-fue-hair-transplant
- https://rhrli.com/services/robotic-fue-vs-neograft/