Deciding to have a hair transplant is a big life choice and understanding what are the differences between techniques is paramount.

Is Robotic hair transplant system really beneficial for the patient?

Will it be satisfactory in terms of natural hairline and density, when surgery will be done by an automated, logarithmic and passive robot?

There are many false reports saying that the robot works without the doctor’s assistance. However, a robot is only a surgeon – assisted technology. Even modern Robots can only extract the follicles and create sites for the grafts. The robot does not implant the graft. 

Dr. Anchal shah emphasizes that key elements of the highest quality hair transplants are :

• To create a natural hairline.
• Accurate and precise grafts selection for different recipient areas.
• Precise implantation of follicles at appropriate angles, direction and depth.

All the above steps are so challenging that they can not be performed by robots. 

1. Automatization or skills ?

A skilled and experienced surgeon cannot be compared to a robot which quickly extracts grafts. Experienced surgeons work quicker than robots but speed is not so important. What is more important is skill and accuracy.

2. Robot or human ?

A human factor in the FUE hair transplant method is irreplaceable. A robotic hair transplant system does not evaluate the graft quality and cannot provide natural looking results as compared to a manual FUE hair transplant technique. We should not follow defined patterns and  instructions, when it comes to hair transplant.

3. Punch size really matters 

Currently ,the Robot is available with only a 1-mm punch extraction needle, which is larger than typical 0.7-mm to 0.9-mm punches used by many FUE hair transplant surgeons. Using larger punches can increase the risk of visible scarring and may reduce the quantity of donor hair available for extraction

4. Robotics vs FUE –Comparison.

Below you can find photos from ISHRS (The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery ). The difference between the ARTAS and manual hair transplant wound size (on the right).The effects of both methods used are unquestionable.

Hair Transplant Forum International

5.Patient selection

One of the biggest downsides to robots is the restrictions when it comes to the type of  patient. Robot can be used only on male patients who have straight, dark hair. It has not been approved for female patients  and  patients who have light-color hair or curly hair .

6. Hair transplant ‘art ‘

The manual FUE hair transplant technique  can be compared to a unique painting technique. In particular a technique using a unique texture or a single brush stroke. They are not symmetrical, Similarly, hair transplant surgery procedures require sophisticated skills and good taste. 

Symmetrical and ‘artificial ‘ graft positioning  on the scalp performed by a robotic hair does not look natural.

Beginning with the size of the punch, the limited donor area for transplantation, ending with Incisions made in an unnatural way. The robot has no intelligence in the choice of hair follicles, it will not adapt different sizes of the punch, according to hair diameter,  it does not decide about the  depth of the graft collection , or the angle at which the punch should be inserted. A robot cannot make decisions other than having been programmed for it.

By having different options for a hair transplant procedure, I highly recommend  not only doing your research between  the options available, but also meeting with surgeons for a consultation to discuss all the available options.