In the traditional FUT or strip method of hair transplant patients are required to endure an invasive procedure that removes an entire section, or strip of hair and scalp from the back of the head. This is the donor site, the section of scalp with the thickest hair growth. Due to the removal, the two sections of divided scalp are then stapled together with sutures, creating a permanent scar around the entire scalp. Some patients report permanent numbness where the donor strip of scalp was removed while others say that their scalp feels “too tight.” Once the section of donor skin and hair follicles are removed from the scalp, units of one to four hair follicles are then removed from the donor strip. These are planted in pre-created recipient sites over the treatment area to create a hairline and thicker area density. Until the automated FUE method, the strip method was still a faster procedure than manual FUE. Now with NeoGraft® automated FUE technology, however, the strip method of hair restoration is no longer patients’ only viable option.
NeoGraft® and Artas technologies perform Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), which is a minimally invasive method that removes hair follicles individually rather than in entire strips of scalp. Donor follicles are removed from fuller sections of hair using a 1mm punch, which makes a tiny circular incision surrounding each individual hair follicle. Then the follicles are removed using pneumatic pressure or suction. Once the desired number of follicles are removed, donor hair grafts are then implanted in a way much like FUE but using reverse pneumatic pressure. The exact position of each hair follicle can be controlled during implantation in the treatment section of the scalp. As the follicles are initially removed individually, they may be implanted individually with the 1mm punch as well. This results in a more precise and natural looking hairline. All things considered, this innovative hair transplant technology is superior to the traditional “strip method.” In short, it is the next level as it provides patients with:
Hair restoration that does not require IV sedation
Less invasive technique for extracting hair follicles
No incisions, sutures or linear scarring
Little bleeding and less complications during surgery
More precision in surgery resulting in more natural-looking hairlines
Though these older hair restoration methods were viable options for some patients, advances in technology have led to minimally invasive hair restoration treatments that can achieve substantial results with less downtime and recovery. Artas i-X® Hair Transplant is a robotic hair restoration treatment that selects only the healthiest hair follicles for transplantation and removes those individual follicles without damaging surrounding hairs. Patients undergoing Artas i-X® Hair Transplant can avoid the lengthy incisions, stitches, and linear scarring associated with past hair restoration techniques.
Yes. Well-designed Hair Restoration should be virtually imperceptible and natural looking even when a patient combs his or her hair or steps out of the shower or pool. This is because Hair Restoration is performed by placing single hairs in the front of the hairline and gradually adding groups of hairs or follicles further back to create a very natural looking hairline that duplicates how the hairline looked prior to hair loss.
FUE costs vary depending upon the size of the treatment areas and the number of follicles which are required to be harvested from the donor region. Costs also vary depending upon the expertise and training of the individual surgeon. Results are dependent upon the skill of the surgeon and selection of the appropriate patient for Hair Restoration surgery. This is a permanent procedure and it is best to obtain the services of a highly skilled and trained plastic surgeon who has training in aesthetic plastic surgery.
The number of grafts that will be required depends upon a number of factors and can only be determined at the time of consultation. Each graft varies in terms of the numbers of hairs or follicles in each graft.
Some follicles contain single hairs while other follicles contain multiple hairs. Therefore each graft is unique.
It is important to carefully assess and evaluate the donor area for the density, the anatomy and structure of the hair follicles and the types of follicles which are present in the donor area whether they are single follicles or groupings in each follicular unit. Only approximately 15% of follicles in the donor area are harvested at a single session to avoid thinning in the donor region. Our practice offers state of the art robotic Hair Restoration with the Artas i-x-i. This state of the art robotic hair transplantation system allows a surgeon to accurately and consistently harvest the most ideal follicles in the most random pattern possible with maximal preservation of the donor area. The follicles are harvested robotically at least 30% faster than can be done by a human. The graph quality is excellent and consistent as a robotic arm accurately precisely and in a reproducible manner harvest the most ideal follicles utilizing the robotic punch which is surrounded by stereoscopic cameras that scan the scalp surface avoiding scars thinned areas and selecting the most appropriate and ideal follicles for harvesting purposes. We are the only practice in Southern California that offers this advanced robotic device, the Artas i-x-i.
There are some restrictions immediately following Hair Restoration surgery. Patients are instructed to avoid aerobic activities for approximately 7 to 10 days following a hair restoration procedure. It’s also recommended to avoid wearing a helmet for four weeks after the procedure such as would be used during mountain biking, snowboarding or scuba diving. We also recommend avoiding salt water exposure from the ocean for three weeks and a chlorine pool for four weeks after the procedure.
Our practice is unique within the United States and we offer the services of both a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and a triple board-certified plastic surgeon. We are unique in this regard and that we can offer patients the latest medical and surgical treatments for hair loss in both men and women. We are the only such practice within the United States.
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