Like good health and youth, most of us take a thick head of hair for granted — that is, until it is gone. For many people, hair transplant procedures can help bring back the appearance of a full — or at least a fuller — head of hair.

Overview of Robotic Hair Transplant Procedures

Robotic hair transplant surgery is a logical advance in the technology of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). The potential advantages of Robotic FUE (R-FUE) over traditional FUE procedures include:

  • Increased accuracy of harvesting grafts to minimize damage to follicles
  • Ability to use FUE in a wider variety of patients
  • Reduced harvesting time
  • Increased graft survival

Follicular Unit Extraction is a harvesting procedure where hair is removed directly from the donor region of the scalp as individual, naturally-occurring groups of 1-4 hairs. The technique consists of two main steps: 1) Separation of the follicular units from the surrounding skin, and 2) Extraction (removal) of the follicular units from the scalp.
Step one, the separation of the follicular units from the surrounding donor tissue, is a highly repetitive and labor intensive process that requires great precision. This step requires the centering of the punch over the follicular unit and the alignment of the dissecting instrument with the follicles to prevent damage. This step, which must be repeated manually hundreds to thousands of times in a typical FUE procedure, subjects the patient to significant human variability and error.
The problem associated with the initial step of separating follicular units from the surrounding tissue has been a major challenge for FUE practitioners. A significant advance towards minimizing trauma to follicular units in this first step was to divide it into two parts; sharp, followed by blunt dissection. This additional step reduces the chance of injury to the lower part of the follicles during dissection. The current robotic system is based on this concept.

 

Risks and Costs of Treatment

 
The cost of hair transplantation will depend largely on the amount of hair to be transplanted, but it generally ranges from $4,000 to $15,000. The procedure is rarely covered by insurance.
As with any surgical procedure, hair transplantation carries risks, including bleeding and infection. Other risks that can occur with hair transplants include scarring and unnatural-looking new hair growth.
Around the time new hair growth starts, some people experience inflammation or infection of the hair follicles, called folliculitis. This can be relieved with antibiotics and compresses. Another potential risk is the sudden loss of transplanted hair, called shock loss. Fortunately, this hair loss is rarely permanent.
If you are bothered by thinning hair or balding, hair transplantation can significantly improve your appearance and self-confidence. However, it is important to understand that hair transplantation is just that — transplantation of hair you already have to a place where it is more visible. It does not create new hair.
To minimize the risks and improve the success of surgery, it is important to undergo hair transplantation only if you are healthy. You should always discuss the potential risks and benefits of any surgery with your doctor.
This Information is brought to you courtesy of Dr. Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa

The ARTAS Robotic System

ARTAS Robot's Imaging System
The ARTAS Robot’s Imaging System

The ARTAS FUE robot is an image-guided system composed of a robotic arm, dual-needle punch mechanism, video imaging system, and a user interface. Its extraction technique consists of a double-punch arrangement with an inner (sharp) punch and outer (dull) punch. The inner punch has cutting capabilities to score the upper most part of the skin and the outer punch has a blunt edge used for dissection of the follicular units from the surrounding tissue that minimizes injury to the grafts. The image-guided system allows this step to be accomplished with great precision. The patient lies on a specially designed operating table that allows access of the robotic arm to the donor area of the scalp.
The ARTAS System is an interactive, computer assisted equipment employing image guidance to enhance the quality of hair follicle harvesting. ARTAS is the first hair transplant robot to improve the most challenging aspects of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
There are two common ways to treat balding including strip harvesting and follicular unit extraction (FUE).  Strip harvesting is the most commonly used technique right now, and it is an efficient means of harvesting large quantities of follicles.
FUE offers less discomfort and a faster return to normal daily activities than traditional, more invasive methods of hair restoration. Performed in Dr. Bishara’s office, FUE with ARTAS moves healthy, functioning follicles to the areas of the patient’s scalp most impacted by baldness for more dramatic results. The implanted hairs develop their own blood supply, begin to grow and new hairs are seen a few months after the procedure has taken place. New hair continues to grow over the course of a full year, making the change in the patient’s appearance gradually noticeable to others. Healing time is short, and there is no resultant linear scar as happens with other methods of hair restoration. The only evidence is tiny, white scars left in the donor area, which are the same as those produced by manual FUE.

Benefits of ARTAS System
Robotic technology is used in numerous surgical and diagnostic procedures to improve the efficacy of treatments.  Restoration Robotics has incorporated robotic technology into FUE resulting in the ARTAS system which is the first and only FDA-cleared technology that allows the physician to control the image-guided robot.  I am able to make minor adjustments to dissection depths and angles during the extraction process ensuring my patients receive optimal results.
Before and After Pictures:

Please view more before and after pictures on our website at markbisharamd.com/robotic-hair-transplants.php#artas

Technology Makes a Difference Click Here to download the brochure

WHAT IS A ROBOTIC HAIR TRANSPLANT?

Robotic hair transplant surgery is a logical advance in the technology of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).  In Robotic FUE hair transplant procedures, follicular units are isolated using the ARTAS robotic system. The ARTAS system is a computerized, image-guided robot that automates the labor intensive process of extracting grafts. Its advantage over other FUE techniques is due to its precision and consistency in extracting grafts. All FUE procedures at The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa are performed using the ARTAS robot.
The ARTAS® Robotic System is the first and only robotic hair transplant system. Using image-guided robotics, the physician-assisted ARTAS Robotic System precisely dissects follicular units, thousands of times in a single session.
ARTAS is the very latest technology in hair restoration.  Dr. Bishara is using the ARTAS System in his Mansfield and Southlake offices. This interactive, computer assisted equipment employs image guidance to enhance the quality of hair follicle harvesting. ARTAS is the first hair transplant robot to improve the most challenging aspects of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
Hair Transplants | Dallas TX | Mansfield TXThis physician-controlled, state-of-the-art system enables the harvesting of hair follicles during hair restoration procedures. It offers numerous beneficial features, including an image-guided robotic arm, special imaging technologies, small dermal punches and a computer interface. The ARTAS System is capable of identifying and harvesting individual follicular units to implement the FUE technique. The device, guided by cameras and 3-D imaging software, can perform the dissection of hair follicles individually at a rate of up to 1,000 per hour.
The advantages of FUE over traditional hair transplant methods are having no linear scar in the donor area and having no post-operative limitations on physical activity. Robotic technology enables FUE to be performed with unparalleled precision.
Please visit our website at www.MarkBisharaMD.com for more information on robotic hair transplants or call our office at (817) 473-2120.
 

Most people are a candidate for hair transplant surgery. However, in order to properly determine your candidacy for the procedure, an ARTAS physician will need to consider various factors, including age, family history of hair loss, current and projected future hair loss pattern (area of baldness), donor characteristics (laxity and density), and whether or not the goals of the patient can realistically be met.
The best way to find out if you are a candidate for a hair restoration procedure is to go to a surgeon that specializes in hair restoration. The answer will depend on the cause of your hair loss, your age, the stability of your donor supply, how extensive you hair loss is, your expectations and a number of other important factors that will be taken into account.
It’s important to have realistic expectations before undergoing a hair transplant procedure.
Remember there is a finite amount of donor hair that can be moved to the thinning areas of the scalp. If that hair isn’t used in an efficient manner the outcome of the procedure might not meet your expectations.  Every patient is examined on a case-by-case basis, but here are some general types of patients that are great candidates for hair transplants:

Technology Makes a Difference Click Here to download the brochure


The best candidates for hair restoration surgery are:

  • Men who have been losing their hair due to Male Pattern Baldness for more than five years or who have progressed to a Norwood class 3 or above.
  • Men with realistic expectations and who understand that their hair loss might continue to progress even if they are taking prescription medication to stop the progression.
  • Men who have been balding for many years and who’s pattern has stabilized and are interested in just adding some hair to provide a more youthful appearance.
  • Men and women who have lost hair due to trauma or burns
  • Men and women who have lost hair due to other cosmetic procedures such as face-lifts.

Some women are candidates for hair restoration surgery. They are:

  • Women who have suffered hair loss due to mechanical or traction alopecia (non-hormonal).
  • Women who have had previous cosmetic or plastic surgery and are concerned about hair loss around the incision sites.
  • Women who have a distinct pattern of baldness, similar to that of male pattern baldness. This includes hairline recession, vertex thinning (on the crown or top of the scalp), and a donor area that is not affected by androgenetic alopecia.
  • Women who suffer hair loss due to trauma, including burn victims, scarring from accidents, and chemical burns.
  • Women with alopecia marginalis, a condition that looks very similar to traction alopecia.

Hair Restoration is available for many areas, not just the head, although that is the most common place.  We also do hair restoration for eyelashes, eyebrows and beards.
Please visit the website of Dr. Bishara, who specializes in Hair RestorationRobotic Hair Transplants and Plastic Surgery at www.MarkBisharaMD.com or call our office at (817) 473-2120.

WHAT IS HAIR RESTORATION?

Hair restoration includes the surgical and non-surgical methods used to counteract or slow symptoms of hair loss in men and women. Methods may be used individually or in combination to produce the desired results depending on a person’s needs. Finding the right hair restoration solution can be difficult. It’s an important decision that can improve your life in unimaginable ways. But one size does not fit all types of hair loss.

FOR MEN

Getting straight answers about hair loss treatments for men can be almost as frustrating as losing your hair.
Some guys are great candidates for hair transplant surgery, others prefer the lifestyle advantages of the hair replacement process, and some simply want to prevent their existing hair from thinning any further. No matter what kind of hair loss you have, it’s an ongoing process that changes over time.
Dr. Mark Bishara’s office offers a variety of treatment options, including non-surgical and surgical.

FOR WOMEN

Millions of women suffer from hair loss, more than 30 million in the U.S. alone. And while most treatments available today seem to be designed with men in mind, the good news is that there are safe, proven treatments designed especially for women.
Women’s hair–and women’s experiences with hair loss–are very different. That’s why Dr. Bishara will first assess why you are having hair loss and what option we can do to help you.

HAIR RESTORATION OPTIONS:

PROPECIA® (FINASTERIDE)

PROPECIA® is available by prescription from Dr. Mark Bishara and is a once-a-day pill developed to treat mild to moderate male pattern hair loss, a hereditary condition that causes receding hairlines, thinning and/or balding on the top and front of the scalp. This product is proven effective for treating hair loss in MEN ONLY.  Some women are candidates for Propecia (finasteride).

LOW LEVEL LASER TECHNOLOGY (LLLT)

The low- level laser therapy treatment is also known as “The Cold Laser”. The laser light generated by low-powered (cold) lasers has recently come into use as a non-surgical hair restoration treatment for patten hair loss.
Theradome Laser Helmet- Laser hair growth treatment that works; hair loss affects 80,000,000 people in the US alone, and over 1,500,000,000 people globally. Forty percent of them are women who find the condition emotionally distressing and tougher to cure than male pattern baldness. Yet we found that almost every treatment on the market was aimed at males, specialist clinics were prohibitively expensive, and many women simply didn’t have any viable options.
The Theradome™ is the first FDA OTC cleared, wearable clinical strength laser treatment that has a proven triple action:
ROBOTIC HAIR TRANSPLANTS- THE ARTAS SYSTEM
Dr. Bishara uses the ARTAS System, which is an interactive, computer assisted equipment employs image guidance to enhance the quality of hair follicle harvesting. Performed in both of Dr. Bishara’s offices (Mansfield & Southlake), FUE robotic hair transplant moves healthy, functioning follicles to the areas of the patient’s scalp most impacted by baldness. The implanted hairs develop their own blood supply, begin to grow and new hairs are seen a few months after the procedure has taken place. New hair continues to grow over the course of a full year, making the change in the patient’s appearance gradually noticeable to others. Healing time is short, and there is no resultant linear scar as happens with other methods of hair restoration, because there is no incision.   This procedure is done on men and women.

Hair loss is a condition that occurs as a result of a side-effect of medication, aging, genetics, and traumatic injury to the scalp with scarring. Hair loss affects both men and women of all ages. This condition may cause pattern baldness, patchy spots or thinned hair.
Dr. Mark Bishara offers a wide range of comprehensive hair restoration procedures, which are highly effective. The best treatment option for each patient depends on the location, cause, and extent of hair loss. We will take the time to evaluate each patient, discuss his/her individual goals and together develop a personalized treatment plan using one of our many successful hair loss treatment options.  Please contact our office at (817) 473-2120 for further information or visit our website at www.MarkBisharaMD.com.