How does the ARTAS robotic hair transplant procedure work?

The ARTAS robotic hair transplant procedure is claimed by providers to use digital imaging and precision robotics^62%Stated by 62% of the providers we surveyed. Including Pizarro Hair Restoration, Aron Nusbaum, M.D., Tampa Bay Hair Restoration, Rosanelli, Austin Hair Restoration Clinic, The Lumen Center, and 7 more. for graft harvesting. Providers also assert that it is minimally invasive^52%Stated by 52% of the providers we surveyed. Including Holt Hair Restoration Center, Sculpting MD, JSCC wellness, The Carney Center, The Derm Lab, Robotic Hair Rx, and 5 more., suggesting a less intrusive approach than traditional methods.

About half of the clinics claim the ARTAS procedure allows for a quick recovery^38%Stated by 38% of the providers we surveyed. Including Premier Plastic Surgery, Reviva Hair & Skin Clinic, Rosanelli, and 4 more., appealing to those eager to resume daily activities soon after. Additionally, about half of providers state that the ARTAS system employs a robotic arm and intelligent algorithms^38%Stated by 38% of the providers we surveyed. Including DSI Hair, Sierra Robotic Hair Restoration Institute, Alan J. Bauman, MD., and 5 more., highlighting its technological advancements.

Approximately a quarter of providers emphasize that the ARTAS procedure does not require stitches or staples^33%Stated by 33% of the providers we surveyed. Including Austin Hair Restoration Clinic, The Lumen Center, Sculpting MD, and 4 more., potentially offering a more comfortable post-operative experience. Similarly, about a quarter of clinics claim the procedure provides natural-looking results^33%Stated by 33% of the providers we surveyed. Including Aron Nusbaum, M.D., Premier Plastic Surgery, JSCC wellness, and 3 more., which appeals to those concerned about aesthetics. Another claim from about a quarter of providers is that the ARTAS procedure eliminates the potential for human error^29%Stated by 29% of the providers we surveyed. Including Pizarro Hair Restoration, Sierra Robotic Hair Restoration Institute, Alan J. Bauman, MD., and 2 more.. This is a marketing claim: the surgeon still plans the procedure, makes the recipient sites and places the grafts, and graft damage and poor growth can still occur. Furthermore, about a quarter assert that the procedure does not leave a linear scar^24%Stated by 24% of the providers we surveyed. Including Rosanelli, Austin Hair Restoration Clinic, The Lumen Center, and 2 more., addressing a common concern with traditional hair transplants.

A minority of clinics market the ARTAS procedure as pain-free^19%Stated by 19% of the providers we surveyed. Including Robotic Hair Rx, Reviva Hair & Skin Clinic, Premier Plastic Surgery, and 1 more. or as giving permanent results^14%Stated by 14% of the providers we surveyed. Including Fue Canada, JSCC wellness, Robotic Hair Rx.. These are marketing claims: local anaesthetic injections are still needed, and native hair can keep thinning around the grafts. Some clinics also call ARTAS FDA-approved^10%Stated by 10% of the providers we surveyed. Including Holt Hair Restoration Center, JSCC wellness.. In fact the system is FDA-cleared through the 510(k) route (first clearance K103428, 2011) as a device that helps harvest follicular units. Clearance means the FDA found it substantially equivalent to an existing device. It does not mean the FDA has judged that it gives better results than manual FUE.

A few providers highlight that the ARTAS procedure uses AI and 3D mapping^10%Stated by 10% of the providers we surveyed. Including DSI Hair, Sierra Robotic Hair Restoration Institute. to identify and extract follicles, showcasing advanced technology. However, a minority note that manual extraction is still required^10%Stated by 10% of the providers we surveyed. Including Dr. Nicole Rogers, Alan J. Bauman, MD.., indicating the process is not entirely automated. Additionally, a few clinics acknowledge that transplanted hair can be lost over time^10%Stated by 10% of the providers we surveyed. Including Fue Canada, Robotic Hair Rx. due to natural aging, an important consideration for potential patients. Lastly, a minority of providers claim the procedure preserves the natural appearance of the donor area^10%Stated by 10% of the providers we surveyed. Including Aron Nusbaum, M.D., DSI Hair., which may be significant for those concerned about donor site aesthetics.

As with any FUE procedure, ARTAS leaves small dot scars, and complications can include folliculitis, numbness, swelling, shedding and partial loss of grafts; a 10-year series of 2,896 hair transplant patients reported each of these (Garg & Garg 2021, PMID 34984088).