Tools of the Trade

A wide range of tools, instruments and devices are used during a hair transplant. These instruments can include punches, robotic devices, suction-assisted devices and implanters.

Punches have been used in hair transplants since the 1930s. These instruments allow hair follicles to be released from their surrounding tissues. Punches can have a wide range of characteristics (e.g., shape, sharpness and size) that can influence their capabilities. Sharp punches, for example, can be inserted along the hair follicle, cutting the connecting tissues that hold the follicle in place. Unsharpened punches can help prevent trauma or deformation of surrounding follicles during harvesting¹. Excessive laxity (looseness) and the need for specific angles (e.g., curly hair) can increase the difficulty of punch extraction².

Robotic devices can also be used in hair transplant procedures. These devices contain sharp punches that cut around the follicle, making graft removal easy and fast³. Using robotic technology specific characteristics (e.g., follicle density, hair angle etc.) can be controlled by the physician⁴.This can help create high quality grafts and limit the time required for harvesting⁴. The ARTAS system is an example of such a device and is in use all over the world.

Suction-assisted devices can also assist a surgeon during a transplant. These devices are commonly used during follicular unit extraction (FUE) to partially or fully remove a hair follicle. Suction-assisted devices give physicians better control during harvesting, allowing punch penetration to be deep without increasing the risk of hair follicle injury⁵.

Implanters are also used during hair transplants. As the name suggests they are used to help implant harvested grafts. Sharp or dull implanters can be used in hair restoration procedures such as eyebrow and scalp restorations⁶.

If you have any questions about what type of instruments will be used during your procedure ask your hair transplant surgeon during your consultation.

Article by: Sarah Versteeg MSc, Mediprobe Research Inc. 

1. Devroye J. Powered FU Extraction with the Short-Arc-Oscillation Flat Punch FUE System (SFFS). Hair Transpl Forum Int. 2016;26(4):129, 134–6.


2. Poswal A. Expanding needle concept for better extraction of body hair grafts. Indian J Dermatol. 2013;58(3):240.


3. Bernstein R. Integrating robotic FUE into a hair transplant practice. Hair Transpl Forum Int. 2012;22(6):228–9.


4. Harber R. Notes from the Editor Emeritus. Hair Transpl Forum Int. 2013;23(4):121.


5. Trivellini R. An Innovation in Suction Assisted FUE. Hair Transpl Forum Int. 2016;26(2):58–9.


6. Elliott V. Commentary on “FUE Graft Placement.” Hair Transpl Forum Int. 2016;26(2):56.

 

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