NeoGraft Hair Transplant — and Why We Prefer Manual FUE

NeoGraft is one specific brand of device used to perform FUE, or follicular unit extraction. FUE is the broader procedure category, and several different tools can be used to perform it. NeoGraft is one. ARTAS robotic FUE is another. Manual FUE, using handheld punches, is a third. All three accomplish the same goal: extracting individual hair follicles from the donor area one at a time, without the linear incision used in older FUT procedures. The differences are in how the extraction is performed and how consistently it can be repeated across thousands of grafts in a single session.

We chose ARTAS because it brings a level of precision and consistency to the extraction phase that’s difficult to match by hand. ARTAS uses imaging and AI to identify the strongest follicles in the donor area, then extracts each one at the same depth and angle, every time. NeoGraft is a capable handheld device, and in skilled hands it can deliver good results. But the consistency of robotic extraction across an entire multi-hour session is the standard we want for our patients. Dr. Ronan still plans the procedure, designs the hairline, oversees every phase, and performs the implantation himself. The robot supports the surgeon’s judgment, it doesn’t replace it.

FUE hair restoration at Blackhawk typically ranges from around $9,000 to $24,000 depending on the number of grafts your case requires, the complexity of the hairline design, and whether the procedure is completed in a single session or staged across multiple visits. Smaller targeted procedures, like restoring a specific area of the hairline or filling in temple recession, may fall below that range. Larger restorations covering significant areas of the scalp can run higher. Hair restoration is considered a cosmetic procedure, so it’s not covered by health insurance, but Blackhawk offers financing options to make the investment more manageable. You’ll get a personalized quote at your consultation based on what your actual procedure will involve.

The best candidates are men and women experiencing hair loss who want a minimally invasive solution without a linear scar. Ideal candidates have sufficient donor density on the back and sides of the scalp, are in good general health, and have realistic expectations about the timeline and outcome. Pattern hair loss that’s stable enough to map a long-term plan around tends to produce the best results. Hair characteristics like coarseness and the contrast between hair and scalp color also factor into how the final result will look. The only reliable way to know if you’re a candidate is to meet with Dr. Ronan for an evaluation.

After the local anesthesia has numbed the donor site, the follicular units will be extracted by Dr. Ronan using the NeoGraft device. Extraction usually takes 2 to 4 hours. After a short rest, the patient will be asked to sit upright for the transplantation phase of NeoGraft procedure. The site into which follicular units will be embedded is also anesthetized.

FUE is performed under local anesthesia. You’ll be awake throughout, and a mild sedative is available if you’d like one to help you relax. Once the donor area is numb, the follicular units are extracted one at a time. At Blackhawk, this is done by the ARTAS robotic system under Dr. Ronan’s direction. With NeoGraft and other handheld devices, the same step is performed manually by the surgeon. Extraction typically takes two to four hours. After a short rest, the recipient area is numbed and Dr. Ronan personally designs the hairline and implants each graft at the correct angle and density. Most procedures are completed in a single day.

FUE recovery is one of the main reasons patients choose it over older transplant methods. The small extraction sites in the donor area scab over and heal within five to seven days. The implanted grafts in the recipient area settle in over a similar timeframe, though tiny pink spots may remain visible for another week or two. Most patients are back to normal daily activity within a few days and back to work within a week, depending on how visible the procedure is given your hair length and the area treated. Strenuous exercise and anything that raises blood pressure or causes scalp sweating should be avoided for about two weeks to protect the new grafts during the most critical phase of their survival. Dr. Ronan will give you complete aftercare instructions before you leave.

Hair restoration is a gradual process. In the first two to four weeks, most of the transplanted hair shafts will shed. This is called shock loss, and while it can be unsettling, it’s a normal part of the process. The follicles themselves stay in place beneath the skin. Visible new growth typically starts around the three to four month mark, and the hair thickens and gains pigment over the months that follow. By six months, most patients see meaningful coverage. By nine to twelve months, the final result is fully expressed. Because the donor follicles come from areas genetically resistant to pattern hair loss, the transplanted hair is expected to keep growing for many years.