Can a robot really restore your hair line?
According to this hair loss expert, it can.
Hair loss is on the rise in the UK and it’s by all means not a problem that affects men only. It is estimated that approximately eight million women in the UK are currently suffering from some degree of hair loss1. 50% of men, it is predicted, will suffer from androgenic alopecia (hormone related) by the age of 502.
Experts believe that the psychological effects are negatively impacting the emotional well-being and confidence of the majority of those affected, whatever your gender. So, if you’ve started to notice your hair is thinning, what should you do?
Mr Ken Kok, is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the University Hospital Birmingham and is a full member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. He is also one of a team of hair transplant specialists at the Skin and Follicle Clinic. With over fifteen years’ experience in his field, Mr Kok specialises in hair transplantation for male and female pattern hair loss, as well as permanent eyebrow transplantation. Who better to ask?
Mr Kok explains “Hair loss is a complicated issue as it can occur for a variety of reasons. The most common cause of male or female pattern baldness is hereditary, which means you have little control over whether you will suffer from it. However, there are many other potential causes which include medication, auto-immune disorders, thyroid issues, trauma, burns and traction (which is caused by tension on the follicles, or ‘pulling’). Understanding the causes of hair loss will help determine which treatment will deliver the best results, so consulting an expert early on is absolutely essential.”
Over the past decade or so, invasive hair transplants have been the most effective way of restoring a person’s hairline, but this method comes with many challenges. The process is a long, costly and often painful journey to achieving a full head of hair. You can also be left with permanent scarring – a classic tell-tell sign of a hair transplant that many wish to avoid.
Mr Kok has been carefully observing the industry advances over the years and thinks that the answer could be at the hands of a robot. Yes, a robot.
“Within the last few years, we’ve witnessed major advances in robotic technology in the field of hair loss. This form of advanced technology is offering a radical new approach to tackling hair restoration and it’s proving to be incredibly effective.”
As a result of pioneering work by a team of leading hair transplant surgeons and researchers, a less invasive and more targeted route to hair restoration has been achieved. Their research has led to an innovative low-risk, stitch-free hair restoration procedure which offers a far less painful procedure, with faster recovery time and more predictable, scar-free and naturalistic results – thanks to artificial intelligence and a robotic arm.
One of the downsides of a more traditional, invasive hair transplant was the lengthy and often painful process that involved harvesting individual hair follicles in strips at the back of the head and transplanting them to bald areas.
By contrast the ARTASTM procedure requires no strips of hair to removed, no long incisions or stitches and delivers clinically proven results with very naturalist hair regrowth patterns. The virtually pain-free procedure only requires a local anaesthetic and, without the giveaway signs (a missing strip of hair, a throbbing wound and scarring – where no hair will regrow) of more traditional hair transplant surgery. So much so that once the newly transplanted hair follicles start to flourish it is unlikely anyone will know treatment has taken place.
According to Mr Kok he is seeing consistently impressive results on both male and female patients seeking a cure for their thinning hair:
“The ARTAS is now my go-to technology for most hair loss patients with male or female pattern baldness. By recommending this to my clients, I can offer them a much superior experience – more cost-effective, less down time, less painful and over-all, a much better, more consistent result.”
So, what would Mr Kok’s advice be to people who have started to notice some hair in themselves or their partner?
“Firstly, don’t panic – there are many causes for hair loss and some can be tackled with some simple tweaks to fix. However, I can’t stress enough how important it is to seek professional advice as early as possible. Hair loss is unlikely to fix itself so the earlier you can deal with the problem, the more chance you have of finding a solution. My advice would be to visit qualified hair loss expert who will help diagnose your condition and will help you find an effective solution. You are by no means alone.”
References
- British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS),
- Men’s Health Forum