Introduction
Hair loss is a significant concern faced by individuals of various ages due to genetics, medical causes or factors contributing to stress. Technological innovations like Follicular Unit Extraction allow people to regrow their hair and boost their self-esteem. Follicular Unit Extraction is a convenient and affordable method that withdraws hair follicles from a donor area and implants them into your hair-thinning areas.
Follicular Unit Extraction is an advanced hair restoration method that is growing popular due to its minimally invasive nature and effectiveness. There are two main ways of performing FUE: manually and with robotics.
This guide delves deeper into the benefits, and side effects of Robotic FUE vs Manual FUE and focuses on all the details you want to know, to make an informed decision while choosing between the two.
Manual FUE Explained
Manual FUE is a technique where a skilled surgeon uses a handheld device to precisely extract individual hair follicles from the donor area and each follicle is diligently harvested into the recipient area, step by step.
Let’s take a look at the Step-by-Step Process of this Manual hair transplant
At first, the Preparation of the donor area is done by shaving a hair-rich part of your scalp and numbing it with local anaesthesia so you don’t feel any kind of pain.
The surgeon meticulously performs the extraction of each follicle using a fine needle.
After this, the surgeon performs graft placement in the recipient area, ensuring that new hair follicles are settled at the right angle according to your hair growth and start their development journey in the same direction as your existing follicles.
Advantages
- Control: The surgeon’s hands guide the extraction process, allowing for precision and avoiding chances of incorrect placement of the grafts. It is the extreme details that make manual hair transplant a highly considered option.
- Flexibility: The surgeon can adjust the technique based on the patient’s needs as each patient has different hair growth patterns. The tools used by the surgeons can be handled in several ways and by controlling their oscillation, which is the rotatory movement that ensures accurate cutting and depth of the tool that avoids any deep incision that can damage the scalp tissue, surgeons have the flexibility of offering you a completely safe procedure.
- Cost: The FUE manual Hair transplant procedure is generally more affordable compared to the FUE robotic hair transplant.
Disadvantages
However, where the hair transplant precision is guaranteed in a manual procedure, there are certain disadvantages present as well.
- Time-Consuming: The manual extraction can take longer, especially for larger procedures as the surgeon needs to extract every follicle one by one and very carefully to ensure no chance of follicular transection.
- Skill Dependent: Moreover, the results can vary depending on the surgeon’s expertise. A qualified and highly skilled surgeon will promise you a natural appearance but a surgeon lacking the proficiency to do so would carry the Hair transplant procedure at incorrect angles, resulting in an undesirable look that you never wanted.
Robotic FUE Explained
Robotic FUE utilizes a robotic system (such as the ARTAS system) that constitutes an optical guidance system to assist with the follicle extraction process, offering advanced precision. As the world continues to rely on artificial intelligence, automated robots play a vital role in extracting out the healthiest follicles and implanting them in your bold spots.
Step-by-Step Process
Pre-procedure assessment via 3D imaging: A 3D scan assists in finding the perfect donor areas by examining your scalp health, and hair density, and measuring the angles.
Robotic arms assist in follicle extraction using their highly automated precision techniques that ensure that each follicle is extracted at a calculated rate.
The robot then carries out graft placement in the recipient area and enhances the patient experience through its quick and streamlined process.
Advantages
Let’s see what benefits do robotic Hair transplant technologies have to offer:
- High Precision: Robotic systems provide consistent and accurate follicle extraction, decreasing the chances of scarring and human errors that can be caused by a highly experienced surgeon as well.
- Faster: The robotic system can extract follicles more quickly, leading to shorter procedure times and avoiding the risk of wrong steps due to exhaustion which can be seen in humans. If you are running short on time then a Robotic hair transplant will guarantee opening the doors to your dream hair in minimal time.
- Less Fatigue: The robotic system reduces the physical strain on the surgeon. During the Hair transplant procedure, there are certain repetitive tasks and extracting each follicle requires a lot of patience and energy. Robotic Hair transplant technologies energetically carry out the same tedious procedures with full attention, no matter how many repetitions it takes.
Disadvantages
- Expensive: Robotic FUE is often costlier due to the advanced technology involved.
- Less Human Control: While the robot is precise, some patients may prefer a surgeon’s manual touch. Moreover, in case of any complexion, a surgeon may immediately use their years of experience and knowledge to tackle the situation effectively whereas a robot might stick to its trained processes.
- Extra Harvests: The Robotic hair transplant also comes with a likelihood of over-harvesting from the donor area and of course, this is not what you would like especially when going through severe hair loss.
- Continuous Monitor: The robotic Hair restoration methods can not be independently trusted for such precise techniques and require a constant check from surgeons because if a robot continues to transect your follicles, there is a high chance you will get poor results and the process will be unworthy.
Comparing Manual FUE and Robotic FUE
Robotic FUE vs Manual FUE? Which is the best technique then? Let’s explore each aspect!
Precision
- The Manual FUE offers precision but relies heavily on the surgeon’s skill. So it is better to choose the surgeon who is fully confident in their skills and is the best at what they do! At Harley St Health Care hair transplant clinics we have a team of surgeons with a 100% success rate of manual Hair transplant precision.
The meticulousness of the manual hair transplant also depends on the surgeons’ fatigue levels. - Robotic hair transplant FUE uses 3D imaging and automated systems for a high level of accuracy. This is a golden opportunity to eliminate any risks associated with follicle instability.
Procedure Time
Manual FUE can take several hours for large transplant sessions as every follicle needs to be extracted. Even a highly skillful surgeon will take hours to harvest the follicles but the results will surely make you happy.
Robotic FUE is typically faster due to the automation of follicle extraction. If you are short on time, this automated technology will rapidly conduct the process.
Cost
Hair transplant precision is the main requirement during these processes. Therefore during a Manual hair transplant, a surgeon will charge a substantial amount of money from you depending on their competencies and expertise.
However, Manual FUE tends to be more affordable, whereas robotic FUE can be more expensive due to the technology used plus the total amount is calculated per the reaping effort made by the robot.
Recovery
Both methods have similar recovery times that are within 5 days, though robotic FUE may result in fewer errors and quicker healing due to more precise extractions. The recovery time of a Manual hair transplant is the same but can vary depending on the skills of your surgeon and may take longer in case of any wrong graft placement or follicle damage.
Suitability
Manual FUE is often better for smaller areas or patients with certain hair types such as curly, wavy or hair that are hard to handle. A surgeon can take better care of your scalp if you have certain requirements or want tailored plans regarding your hair. In this case, a manual Hair transplant procedure is your best choice.
Robotic FUE may be preferable for larger transplant areas and patients seeking high precision.
Which Technique is Right for You?
Still confused regarding Robotic FUE vs Manual FUE techniques? Let us tell you that there is no winner between both of them. Both of the Hair restoration methods come with their pros and cons but yes choosing them can depend on a few things:
- Personal Preference: What do you feel the most comfortable in? Allowing a surgeon with years of practice to perform the procedure or an automated machine that promises ultra-careful steps?
The procedure has a long duration of certain hours. It totally depends on your intuition and peace of mind that you choose the option with whom you continue to sit in a position without any anxious thoughts regarding the procedure. - Budget: We know that hair baldness is already contributing to your sadness, and this is why we don’t want you to put stress on your pocket regarding these methods. If you are low on budget, consider a Manual hair transplant.
However, if your budget is unlimited and you want the method to be done according to the latest interventions, then a Robotic hair transplant is your best choice. - Hair characteristics: The choice will also depend on your hair texture. Your surgeon will best guide you on Robotic FUE vs. Manual FUE, which can more smoothly manage your hair density.
- Desired results: Both Hair transplant procedures guarantee hair thickening and regrowth for deeper, no scar formation, and careful root extraction. However, if you are in search of a more cautious procedure, then you can go for a Robotic hair transplant.
Apart from these factors, patients should consult with a specialist to determine the best option for their needs. Along with their extensive comprehension of hair restoration methods, experts will also examine your scalp environment, hair type, and the right area for initiating the procedure.
Moreover, the surgeon will take a detailed look at your expectations from the procedure and how much you are willing to invest. Based on your personal choices, the professional will recommend the most suitable method for you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hair loss is a significant issue that affects your mental health and finding a solution for it can feel like a daunting task. But the modern world has found the most convenient ways to fix this issue and allows you to strengthen your confidence. Methods like FUE offer you the most natural-looking results and enhance your looks.
The confusion between Robotic FUE vs Manual FUE can be ended by thoroughly studying the advantages, disadvantages and demands you have regarding the procedure. Whether talking about a Robotic hair transplant or a Manual hair transplant, both procedures are highly robust and offer favourable outcomes.
However, choosing between any one of them, requires a holistic approach to your preferences, budget, expectations and comfort level.
Whereas robotic Hair transplant technologies are highly precise, rapidly perform the process and stay consistent throughout the procedure without any chance of exhaustion, a manual Hair transplant procedure can meet your hair needs just the way you want, offer you more reliability as you are trusting a professional who knows how to tackle any challenges and is more affordable than a robotic procedure that is highly expensive due to its advanced technology that aims to pick out the best follicles and implant them.
Harley St Health Care Hair Transplant Clinics, has both options available for you to explore. If you are in search of getting a FUE hair transplant done, Our dedicated team of professionals are here for you to get a proper consultation done, discuss any query you have and assure you the best experience with us through our years of experience in offering these services.
Our surgeons will explain to you all the post-surgery procedures, precautions you need to take and aftercare, you need to do to get the best results. We aim to support you throughout this journey by guiding you through each aspect of it.
