ARTAS vs NeoGraft: Choosing the Right Hair Restoration Procedure

Hair loss affects millions of people, but thanks to technological advances, hair transplants have become more sophisticated and effective than ever before. Two of the most popular options today are ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplant and NeoGraft. While both use Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) techniques to transplant individual hair follicles, they differ significantly in their approach, technology, and results.

Understanding Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)

FUE is the foundation of both ARTAS and NeoGraft procedures, involving the harvesting of naturally occurring groupings of 1-4 hairs from a donor area (typically the back of the head) and transplanting them to thinning or balding areas. This technique has revolutionized hair restoration by eliminating the linear scars associated with traditional strip harvesting methods.

Both ARTAS and NeoGraft employ FUE for minimally invasive hair restoration, but they take distinctly different approaches to implementing this technique. ARTAS incorporates sophisticated robotic automation, while NeoGraft relies more heavily on the skills of the surgeon.

What is the ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplant?

ARTAS represents cutting-edge technology in hair restoration, using an advanced robotic system with artificial intelligence to perform hair transplants with unprecedented precision.

How ARTAS Works

The ARTAS procedure begins with high-resolution 3D imaging of the patient's scalp. The system employs AI algorithms to identify and select the ideal hair follicles for transplantation, analyzing factors such as angle, orientation, distribution, density, and direction of existing hair.

The robotic arm then extracts individual follicles with remarkable precision, using a blunt dissection technique that first scores the upper skin and then carefully dissects each follicular unit with minimal trauma. This harvesting process is completely automated, eliminating human error and fatigue factors while prioritizing graft quality over speed.

After extraction, the healthy follicles are transplanted into the recipient area by surgeons, creating a natural-looking outcome. The entire process typically takes four to eight hours, with patients able to return to normal activities within a few days.

What is a NeoGraft?

NeoGraft is a semi-automated FUE system that combines mechanical assistance with the surgeon's manual control.

How NeoGraft Works

NeoGraft utilizes a handheld device that employs pneumatic pressure to extract individual hair follicles from the donor area. The system uses a sharp punch method and incorporates a suction-based system that streamlines the extraction process.

While NeoGraft offers some automation through computerized pneumatic controls, hydration of grafts, and suction transfer, the extraction and implantation remain manual procedures dependent on the surgeon's techniques and expertise. The surgeon must carefully identify optimal follicular units and extract each one using the handheld device based on their assessment.

Why Choose ARTAS Over NeoGraft

Superior Precision and Consistency

ARTAS uses advanced robotics guided by AI to achieve unparalleled accuracy in follicle extraction and placement. The system analyzes follicle features in detail, increasing efficiency and producing excellent results. This precision leads to more consistent outcomes regardless of the surgeon's individual skill level.

The integrated imaging, mapping, and artificial intelligence allow ARTAS to strategically plan the entire extraction pattern. This high-tech approach enables hair to be harvested in a controlled, methodical way by the robotic arm, preserving the natural appearance of the donor area while maximizing the number of viable grafts.

Less Trauma to Hair Follicles

The ARTAS system uses a gentler blunt dissection technique for extraction compared to NeoGraft's sharp punch method. This approach causes less trauma to the delicate follicles and surrounding tissue, potentially improving graft survival rates. ARTAS prioritizes graft quality over speed, resulting in higher survival rates for transplanted follicles.

Quicker Procedure Time

ARTAS's automated system uses algorithms to speed up the extraction process significantly. This efficiency is particularly valuable for patients requiring extensive transplantation, as ARTAS can handle a large number of grafts in a single session with consistent quality throughout the procedure, even as the hours pass.

Minimal Scarring

The precision of ARTAS eliminates linear scars, allowing patients to wear any hairstyle without visible evidence of having undergone a transplant. The system harvests donor hair in a random pattern to preserve the natural appearance at the donor site, ensuring no noticeable thinning occurs in any one area.

A Better Recovery Experience

Because ARTAS is minimally invasive, both donor and recipient areas heal quickly. The transplant "takes" in about three days, with small scabs that can be gently removed after a few days. Most patients experience only mild swelling or discomfort that typically subsides within one to three days.

The ARTAS Long-Term Benefits

Hair transplants using ARTAS require no maintenance or repeat product purchases, making them potentially more cost-effective than other treatments over time. The technology offers a permanent solution to hair loss with natural-looking results that begin to show significant improvements around 6 months post-procedure, with full results visible around one year.

Advanced Recipient Site Planning

Although the ARTAS robot is confined to extracting donor hair from the back of the head, an experienced technician then implants the harvested grafts into ideal recipient locations. This combines the precision of robotic extraction with the artistry of human placement—ensuring natural-looking hairlines and density patterns that complement the patient's facial features and existing hair patterns.

When NeoGraft Might Be Better

Despite ARTAS's advantages, there are specific situations where NeoGraft might be the better option:

For Patients with Light-Colored Hair

ARTAS works best on patients with dark hair due to its imaging technology. While lighter hair can be dyed temporarily for the procedure, patients with very light blond or other light shades of hair who prefer not to dye it even temporarily might find NeoGraft more suitable. NeoGraft allows surgeons to manually identify viable follicular units regardless of color.

For Those with Curly Hair

NeoGraft works better on curly hair than ARTAS. The manual control allows surgeons to adapt to the unique growth patterns of curly hair follicles, which may be challenging for the ARTAS system to process correctly due to the way the imaging technology tracks and targets follicles.

Low Hair Volume Requirements

For patients who need only a small number of grafts or have low hair volume requirements, NeoGraft may be more appropriate. ARTAS is often better suited for patients requiring high hair volume, where its efficiency and consistency over long procedures become particularly valuable.

When Experienced Technicians Are Available

With a highly skilled and experienced NeoGraft technician, the damage rate to hair follicles can be as low as 3-5%, compared to potentially 8-10% with ARTAS. The success of NeoGraft is heavily dependent on the skill of the operator, so results can be excellent when performed by top professionals with extensive experience with the system.

Cost Considerations Between ARTAS and NeoGraft

When comparing costs, NeoGraft is typically 10-20% less expensive than ARTAS upfront, making it initially appealing for budget-conscious patients. However, this price difference should be weighed against ARTAS's significant long-term advantages.

The ARTAS system's higher investment delivers measurable returns: increased graft survival rates due to less follicle trauma, more consistent results regardless of procedure duration, and potentially fewer grafts needed due to strategic AI-optimized placement. Many patients find that the superior outcomes, reduced need for touch-up procedures, and enhanced natural appearance provided by ARTAS technology make the additional cost worthwhile.

Think of ARTAS as the premium option that, for suitable candidates, represents not just a higher expense but a more valuable investment in permanent, optimal results.

Making Your Decision Between the Two

When choosing between ARTAS and NeoGraft, consider these factors:

1. Hair characteristics: Color, texture, and density of your hair

2. Extent of hair loss: Volume of grafts needed

3. Budget considerations: Initial investment vs. long-term results

4. Provider expertise: Experience and skill level with each technology

5. Recovery preferences: Time constraints and lifestyle factors

   
   

A consultation with a qualified hair restoration specialist is essential to determine which procedure would best suit your specific needs. They can assess your hair loss pattern, donor area availability, and personal goals to recommend the most appropriate treatment option.

Both ARTAS and NeoGraft can deliver impressive results when performed correctly, but ARTAS's cutting-edge technology offers significant advantages for most patients seeking a sophisticated, precise hair restoration solution with minimal downtime and natural-looking, long-lasting results.

The combination of AI-driven analysis, robotic precision, and gentler extraction technique makes ARTAS the superior choice for those who qualify and can accommodate the higher investment.