Hair loss is a pervasive issue that affects millions worldwide. While many treatments and remedies exist, success and satisfaction rates can vary drastically.
Two FUE techniques stand out in the realm of hair restoration: Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) by hand and FUE performed using the Artas Robot. While both methods promise to restore hair, there’s an ongoing debate about which is superior.
Dr. Jae Pak, a recognized expert in the field of hair restoration and head of Jae Pak MD Medical, leans toward the by-hand FUE approach for its robust benefits and results. Let’s explore these procedures in depth to understand why FUE by a skilled doctor might be the better choice for you.
Follicular Unit Extraction, or FUE for short, is a form of hair transplant where individual follicular units (groups of one to four hairs) are extracted directly from the patient’s donor area, typically the back of the head, and transplanted to the balding area.
Unlike older methods, FUE doesn’t require removing a strip of skin, resulting in less scarring and a quicker recovery time. Moreover, it provides the surgeon with the ability to choose follicular units that will offer the most natural-looking results.
Artas Robotic Hair Transplant is an FDA-approved system that utilizes robotic technology to assist in FUE hair transplant surgery. This technology uses image-guided robotics to enhance the quality, speed, and efficiency of follicular unit harvesting.
The Artas system is touted for its precision and consistency in graft harvesting. However, it’s not without its downsides, as we will discuss further in the upcoming sections of the article.
At first glance, FUE and Artas may seem quite similar, as both involve extracting individual follicular units. The crucial difference lies in who or what is conducting the procedure.
In an FUE transplant, a skilled surgeon manually extracts and places each follicular unit. This process requires significant experience, knowledge, and manual dexterity to ensure a natural-looking result.
On the other hand, an Artas procedure leverages robotic technology for follicular extraction. The machine uses algorithms to identify and harvest follicular units, relying on its design to maintain consistency and speed throughout the procedure.
While the Artas system can consistently perform the task it’s programmed to do, it can’t adapt to changing situations or make decisions based on aesthetic considerations.
In essence, FUE by hand or with an Artas robot represent two different philosophies towards hair transplantation: one that values human touch, judgment, and expertise and another that prioritizes mechanical consistency and efficiency.
While the Artas robotic system may seem like the future of hair restoration, with its promise of streamlined, efficient hair transplantation, it’s crucial to consider the nuances of hair transplantation.
A hair transplant is as much an art as it is a science, requiring not just technical skill but also an aesthetic eye and a deep understanding of an individual patient’s needs, characteristics, and expectations. These are qualities that a robot, however advanced, simply cannot possess.
In our digital age, innovative technologies often attract interest and excitement. The Artas Robotic Hair Transplant system is no exception.
On the surface, the prospect of a cutting-edge robotic system performing a precise medical procedure may appear attractive. Coupled with effective marketing, it’s easy to see why individuals suffering from hair loss may be drawn to Artas.
However, the common assumption that a robotic procedure is automatically superior isn’t necessarily accurate. While robotics has its place in medicine, the Artas system, with its rigid structure and limited ability to adapt to unique patient variables, is not as effective as a skilled, experienced human hand for hair transplantation.
While both by-hand and Artas FUE hair transplants can offer solutions to hair loss, they are far from equal. Dr. Jae Pak and many of his satisfied patients favor FUE by hand for several reasons.
Let’s delve into these compelling reasons, shedding light on why an FUE Hair Transplant performed by hand by a qualified doctor surpasses an Artas Hair Transplant:
Transection refers to the inadvertent damage or cutting of the hair follicular unit during the extraction process. In an Artas Robotic Hair Transplant, the transection rate is often higher due to the rigidity of the robotic system. A skilled doctor will often have a transection rate of less than 10% versus the 20% of Artas.
The robot often cannot take grafts at the same angle as a skilled doctor, causing some of the grafts to die or be unusable. It lacks the human touch and the ability to adjust in real-time to variations in scalp elasticity, follicular angles, and depths, which could result in the damaging of follicles.
In contrast, FUE performed by an experienced surgeon ensures a lower transection rate, leading to healthier grafts and better growth. The technical skills and artistry of the doctor is critical in designing where the hair is placed to give the illusion of thicker, fuller hair.
Each individual’s hair loss pattern, scalp, and hair characteristics are unique, necessitating a bespoke approach to hair transplantation.
Unlike the Artas system, which offers a one-size-fits-all solution, a skilled doctor can customize the FUE procedure based on the patient’s specific needs and desired outcome. The doctor takes into account factors like hair density, growth pattern, and aesthetic preferences, ensuring the most natural-looking results.
An experienced doctor’s expertise goes beyond mere technical skill. They carry years of knowledge, training, and insight that a machine simply cannot replicate. This understanding allows the doctor to handle unexpected situations, make real-time adjustments, and ensure the procedure aligns with the patient’s unique physiology and hair growth pattern.
Dr. Jae Pak’s expertise in FUE is borne out of numerous successful procedures, leading to superior results compared to the Artas system.
Despite technological advancements, the value of human touch and judgment in medical procedures remains irreplaceable. A doctor can feel the resistance of the scalp, adjust to the variability in follicular units, and make judgments based on the feel and look during the procedure.
This level of tactile feedback and nuanced understanding is invaluable in a procedure as intricate as hair transplantation and is something an Artas Robot cannot achieve.
An FUE Hair Transplant conducted by hand also provides holistic patient care.
The Artas system lacks this comprehensive care, focusing only on the technical aspect of follicle extraction.
Comparing the success rates of both FUE options, especially when performed by an expert, FUE by hand generally has a higher success rate. This success is partly due to the aforementioned lower transection rates, the ability to customize the procedure, and the application of an experienced doctor’s judgment during the procedure, as previously discussed.
On the other hand, Artas procedures often have higher transection rates, meaning more follicular units get damaged during extraction and fail to grow after transplantation. This directly impacts the procedure’s overall success. Hence, these rates underscore the benefits and superiority of human-performed FUE procedures.
Dr. Jae Pak advocates for techniques that yield the best outcomes for his patients. At Jae Pak MD Medical, high-quality FUE, FUT, and Long Hair FUE Hair Transplant procedures are performed, allowing for a range of options tailored to individual needs.
In addition to these surgical methods, Dr. Pak endorses the use of oral finasteride to help maintain existing hair. He also champions microneedling and microchanneling as effective, scientifically-backed methods to stimulate hair growth and complement hair restoration procedures.
While the allure of robotic technology may make Artas Hair Transplants seem attractive, the reality is that a skilled doctor performing an FUE Hair Transplant by hand can offer superior results.
Factors such as lower transection rates, a personalized approach, human touch and judgment, comprehensive patient care, and the expertise and experience of the doctor contribute to the superiority of FUE over Artas.
Choosing the right procedure and the right professional for hair restoration is a decision that directly impacts your appearance, self-confidence, and satisfaction. Therefore, it’s essential to have all the facts and understand the benefits and limitations of each method.
Dr. Jae Pak and his team at Jae Pak MD Medical are committed to excellence in hair restoration, using proven techniques that deliver the best results for their patients. If you’re considering an FUE Hair Transplant, there’s no better choice than entrusting your care to a professional with a track record of success, like Dr. Jae Pak.
Embark on your journey to restore not just your hair but also your confidence with Jae Pak MD Medical. Your hair is worth it.
Sources:
Hair Loss Statistics | The Hair Society
Robotic Hair Restoration | NCBI Bookshelf
Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplant | PMC
Hair Transplantation – StatPearls | NCBI Bookshelf
Advances in Hair Restoration | PMC
Hair Transplantation Surgery | PMC
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