For those of you who have been researching hair transplant surgery, you’re probably familiar with the term ‘punch size.’ For those of you who are unfamiliar, punch size refers to the size of the tool that is used to extract and sometimes make new places for the transplanted follicles to rest on the scalp.
Common punch sizes used by hair transplant surgeons range from 0.75mm-1.0mm. Recent evidence on the use of larger punch tools has shown that they increase the risk for scarring. One of the great things about the FUE method of hair transplant surgery is that it has minimal risk for scarring. Using a larger punch size negates this benefit. Most experienced hair transplant surgeons, including Dr. Yazdan, agree the smaller the punch size the better.
Some doctors who still use the larger punch size claim that the larger punch allows them to extract follicles containing 2, 3, and 4 hairs. The truth is, punch size has little to do with what type of hair follicles that can be extracted. What plays a bigger role, is skill and experience. More often than not, these doctors lack the expertise needed to extract follicles containing multiple hairs using a smaller tool.
The other scenario where we still see larger punch sizes being used, is with robotic devices. Robots and automated tools can’t be as precise as a tool operated by a human hand. Therefore, they utilize a larger punch size in an attempt to increase extraction results. The problem with this is that the risk for scarring increases dramatically. Further, the success rate for transplanted follicles decreases dramatically due to the trauma induced by the large punch.
Here at Modena, we utilize a 0.7mm punch for extractions. When it’s time to transplant the follicles, we set aside the punch and utilize tiny incisions. This not only reduces the risk for scarring but reduces the risk of shock loss in surrounding existing follicles.
If you would like to learn more about our method of FUE hair transplant, give us a call for a free consultation.
Tag Archives: Artas
Should your hair transplant be done by a machine or by hand?
Anyone who has researched hair transplant surgery has probably heard of the ARTAS and NeoGraft. Simply put for those who are unfamiliar, the Artas and Neograft are devices meant to assist physicians with hair transplant surgery. These products claim to provide a minimally invasive procedure with a high graft extraction rate that produces a natural look.
Sounds great, right? But, upon further research and evaluation we see why hair transplant surgery by a machine may not yield the best results.
The NeoGraft utilizes an electrical power punch and suction to extract grafts. This is particularly concerning as this suction is believed by experienced hair transplant surgeons, including Dr. Yazdan, to damage the fragile hair follicles. If these follicles are damaged, they will not survive once transplanted. The power punch utilized by the NeoGraft is rather large compared to the hand held instruments developed by Dr. Yazdan, and a larger punch size means an increase in the risk of scarring.
The ARTAS is deemed to be the robotic method of hair transplantation. The device utilizes a computer and is very expensive for physicians and patients alike. According to FDA trials, the ARTAS showed no superiority to the hand held FUE method by an experienced hair transplant surgeon.
The most important thing to remember when researching your hair transplant surgery is to consider quality over quantity. Although you may hear claims of high graft extraction rates from the above devices, this number is irrelevant if the grafts do not survive due to damage. In addition, large punch size can cause scarring which negates one of the great things about the FUE method of hair transplant surgery which is minimal scarring. Here at Modena, Dr. Yazdan has developed his own hand tools to ensure the best results possible. If you’re interested in finding out more about his method, give us a call today.
NeoGraft, Artas and Other FUE Hair Transplant Systems
FOLLICULAR UNIT EXTRACTION (FUE) HAIR TRANSPLANT DEVICES
There has been a great deal of conversation online about the most effective procedure for performing a hair transplant procedure. In our Orange County & Las Vegas hair transplant offices we have had many patients come in for consultation that are confused by FUE, AlphaGraft, NeoGraft, Artas and other FUE hair transplant devices. That is correct, these are devices and not a surgical procedure.
In many cases patients believe that a NeoGraft hair transplant is a surgical technique when it is only a mechanized devices for performing FUE hair transplants. Simply put, follicular unit extraction involves removing tiny follicular bundles from the back of the scalp with a tiny .7-1mm circular punch. The incision is typically so small that there is no visible scar after the wound heals.
WHAT IS THE NEOGRAFT HAIR TRANSPLANT SYSTEM?
According to the company – NeoGraft is the first and only FDA cleared follicular unit harvesting and implantation system. The NeoGraft system delivers automation of the FUE technique. The above statement is true. the device, originally developed in Europe is combination electrical hand engine the powers a hollow circular punch and then sucks the hair graft into a container where the grafts are gathered and then implanted. Although the company has developed a device to also insert that grafts it is rarely used. The concern of many experienced hair surgeons including Dr. Yazdan is that the suction tears the tiny graft from the connecting fat tissue at the bottom and can tear or transact the graft which can significantly impact graft hair growth. There have also been concerns that in some cases the procedure with these devices is actually performed by unlicensed technicians for surgeons with little or no hair restoration experience. (Read more)
ARTAS ROBOTIC HAIR TRANSPLANT SYSTEM
Artas was launched in 2011 as the first robotic hair transplant system. The system is sophisticated, utilizing computer assistance to harvest hair follicles during the actual process of hair replacement. ARTAS incorporates a number of elements in its operation, including an image-guided robotic arm and special imaging technologies that co-ordinate together for the purpose of implementing the “follicular unit extraction (FUE)” technique upon the recipient of the system. The system is very expensive – approximately $200,000, cost more for physicians to use and to date has shown no superiority in hair graft quality from those of experienced hair surgeons using hand operated mechanized FUE devices. In FDA trials ARTAS showed no superiority to hand held follicular unit extraction by an experienced hair transplant surgeon.
IN OUR PRACTICE
Dr. Yazdan has developed his own instrumentation to assure the most precise results possible. He will modify his instrumentation to adapt to a specific patients hair type and angle of hair growth. The important issue for patients to understand is that follicular unit extraction (FUE) is a procedure and that everything else is a reference to a device that helps the physician extract the follicular units. Many surgeons use different devices to perform excellent FUE results and the important part is the surgical expertise and care of the grafts once harvested that assures optimal results for the patient.
Below is a video of Dr. Yazdan performing the procedure.
