What role do you think automatic and robotic devices play in hair transplants?

At the present time, the most demanded transplant technique is the FUE technique. Until recently, the extraction of the units was done manually using punches between 0.7 and 1.0 mm in diameter. The need to transplant an increasing number of units, given the patient demands to achieve more successful results, and the tediousness of this manual removal procedure has brought to market a series of motorized, automated and robotized devices that I believe are an ally of the dermatologist or the surgeon, of the doctor in short, to better what they were already doing well; which is to achieve a homogeneous, accurate extraction, and be as effective as possible in achieving the greatest possible number of units to be transplanted while respecting the naturalness and preserving donor area, if in the future we need to make a new transplant.

What are the main benefits of using these types of automatic devices? Can they be used on all patients/in all cases?

The main benefit is to improve the transection ratio, that is, to destroy fewer follicular units at the time of extraction, make a more efficient, homogeneous and faster extraction, and also reduce errors made by fatigue that manual extraction causes the surgeon/dermatologist, while at the same time reducing the patient’s fatigue caused by a long and tedious extraction. Motorized, automated or robotic extraction can be used in the same cases where manual extraction was used.

What is the recovery process in these cases?

The recovery process of the donor area is similar to the one that occurs with manual extraction. The recovery will be quick and will occur in a few days. We will observe a correct healing of the area preserving the natural aspect of the donor area. The scars will not be visible when the patient has short or even shaved hair, and will not differ from the healing that occurs with manual FUE.

As a principal investigator of topical and oral minoxidil, and finasteride trials, how do you use these drugs on transplant patients?

I was fortunate to be the national coordinator in Spain for the clinical trials with topical Minoxidil, later with oral Finasteride and currently with topical Finasteride. These drugs help to stop and to slow down the processes of hair loss in many patients. Relative to the transplant, we can use them to improve the results of the procedure. Its use after the transplant leads to better results, with a faster and better growth of the transplanted hair.

What are the key factors for a successful hair transplant?

The success of a hair transplant will depend on the adequate selection of a patient, the adequate assessment of the area, the adequate evaluation of the ratio between the donor area and the receiving area, a clear identification of the patient's expectations, and an explanation of the results we can achieve.

On the other hand, it is necessary to have an accurate extraction, an accurate conservation of the units, an accurate implantation, and an accurate post-operative treatment to achieve the most successful hair transplant possible.

Has the interest for these techniques increased in professionals?

Certainly. The interest in these techniques has increased in a very important way for professionals, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons. The possibility of carrying out non-aggressive transplants, without visible scars and natural, undetectable and definitive results is appealing.

The help of automated and robotic devices to achieve more successful transplants while being less fatiguing for the team and for the patient are the most important factors that dramatically increase the interest in these hair transplant techniques. In fact, at dermatology and plastic surgery congresses, the inclusion of round table discussions on these techniques is frequent.

What impact does the use of these more advanced and innovative techniques have on the business? Is it cost effective?

The inclusion of advanced technologies in any area of society, and of course in this particular case of dermatology and plastic surgery, is very important. All this revolutionizes and increases the interest of professionals. The patients’ demand grows. And I believe that innovating and implementing therapeutic practices adequately contrasted and approved by regulatory bodies is always interesting for the professional, it is good for patients and I think this is very positive in general.

The devices are generally not cheap. The costs are high. Probably, over the time, the introduction of new automated and robotic equipment will lower the costs, but at the present time costs remain high.

Don’t miss Dr. Lopez Bran further discuss this topic in our upcoming webinar on March 28th

Register here: IMCAS Academy Webinar: Hair Restoration - What’s New!