Any NeoGraft and Artas® Robot Alternatives?

What other “automated” or similar hair restoration systems are available besides Neograft and Restoration Robotics?

The follicular unit extraction (FUE) technique is a simple and elegant technique conceptually, but it is highly variable or difficult in practice. Since I published my FUE article in 2002, hundreds of doctors have adapted their own automation and instrumentation. I encourage this, as one superior technique or machine may emerge. But as of 2011 it has not.

There are handful of doctors who have invented their own technique in some form or another. NeoGraft and the Artas® robots are just commercial adaptations. Both Dr. Cole and Dr. Harris have developed instruments which are diametrically opposed as to how they work. There is also Dr. Boudjema in France (one of the brightest and most creative people in the hair business) who first invented an FUE automation machine back in the mid-1990’s called the Calvitron (which is similar to NeoGraft). He always has a new approach and just recently talked with me about his most recent innovation (brilliant as always).

Real inventing requires ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking, but most of what is out there are just minor variations of each other. There are powered punches that vibrate, twist one way and then the other way, that are slow in RPMs, that are fast in RPMs, that claim sharper punches or duller punches as the key to best results, etc.. The Artus system uses sharp followed by dull punches and the Neograft uses very sharp punches. Each doctor will likely say ‘his’ instrument is the best.