FUE - Is this shock loss or my imagination? 14 days from an Artas hair transplant (3000 grafts over 2 days). (Photos)

Question

It seems like there's a band in the donor area that is growing back very sparse. Since one of the reasons I liked the idea of the Artas was a computer would map out the extraction points, I don't want to believe it is overharvesting (and I haven't heard of Artas overharvesting a donor area). Therefore, I am wondering if this is what shock loss looks like (or it could just be my imagination or paranoia!).

Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Dear RobbieSF,
Thank you for posting this question. While it is possible to over-harvest with the ARTAS system, it’s not likely that this has occurred. It’s only 14 days out, and you can definitely get some shock loss in the donor area, and that may be happening. I would give it some time, and let the other hairs grow back in for several months and re-evaluate in 6-8 months. It’s more than likely that the area will not be noticeable as the months pass. If it does persist as an issue, you can look into scalp micropigmentation to camouflage the donor area. I hope this information is helpful to you.
Kind Regards,
Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS

Amir Yazdan, MD · Answer

Since it has only been two weeks, it’s hard to know for certain whether this is genuine shock loss or over harvesting from the FUE procedure.  Just because a robot maps out the extraction points doesnt mean it is correct and will yield good results.  In fact, Im in the camp where I think an experienced surgeon has far more intelligence than the Artas robot. I personally always recommend hair transplants be done by hand by an experiences surgeon because of how delicate, precise, and intricate the FUE procedure is. Feel free to read more about the pros and cons of different transplant methods on my site.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

FUE harvesting above 2500 to 3000 grafts may appear as donor depletion when you keep your hair short.  It all depends on your original donor density and how widely spaced the FUE grafts were taken to even out the patchy look.

Daniel J. Lee, MD, FACS, ABHRS · Answer

Realize that it has only been two weeks from the harvesting that was done from your procedure.  With the ARTAS robotic transplant system over harvesting does not usually occur.  The robot is precise and leaves follicles around the one that was harvested.  There may be some shock loss from the donor site but I would give it some more time and let the hair grow in.  It may take several month for the hair to grow back if it was from shock loss.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Overharvesting is difficult but possible with an ARTAS.  Parameters can be changed so that more or less grafts are obtained.  Early on at day 14, it is likely your hair may need some time to respond.  Give yourself a few months and reevaluate.  The range of grafts per square cm is from 20 grafts to 70 grafts per square cm.  The artistic planning of hair restoration is in how to achieve less with more!!  One issue of overly packing grafts is the graft survival rate may decrease due to so many grafts competing for limited blood supply.  Best Dr. Anil Shah

In my practice I use PRP and other growth factors to allow the donor area to heal rapidly (in my own head I was presentable in 3 days).  When the donor area is being harvested, careful planning takes place to ensure that the pattern of removal is irregular so that the eye can not detect removal of hair.  Removing the donor area by hand is much more likely to cause areas of see through and alopecia.  Best Dr. Anil Shah

FUE - Is this shock loss or my imagination? 14 days from an Artas hair transplant (3000 grafts over 2 days). (Photos)

Answers (5)