ARTAS robotic hair transplant costs $7-10 per graft in the US, putting a typical 2,500-graft procedure at $17,500-25,000. The system uses AI-guided imaging and a robotic arm to extract individual follicular units with consistent precision, removing the variability that comes with manual extraction. Results and graft survival rates (90-95%) match skilled manual FUE, so the premium buys consistency and reduced human fatigue, not fundamentally better outcomes.
ARTAS vs. Manual FUE: Full Comparison
| Feature | ARTAS Robotic FUE | Manual FUE |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per graft (US) | $7-10 | $4-6 |
| Cost per graft (Turkey) | $3-5 | $1-2 |
| Cost per graft (UK) | $6-9 | $3-5 |
| Graft survival rate | 90-95% | 90-95% |
| Max grafts per session | Up to 4,000 | Up to 5,000 |
| Extraction speed | 1,000-1,500/hour | 500-1,500/hour |
| Recovery time | 7-10 days | 7-10 days |
| Donor area shaving | Required (full shave) | Partial shave possible |
| Recipient site creation | Manual (surgeon) | Manual (surgeon) |
| Implantation | Manual (surgeon/team) | Manual (surgeon/team) |
| Punch size | 0.9-1.0mm (fixed) | 0.7-1.0mm (surgeon selects) |
| Body/beard hair extraction | Not supported | Supported |
| Availability | ~50 US clinics | Thousands of clinics worldwide |
How ARTAS Works: The Technology
The ARTAS system consists of three integrated components: a stereoscopic imaging array, an AI-powered analysis algorithm, and a robotic arm with a mounted extraction punch.
Step 1: 3D Donor Area Mapping
Before extraction begins, the ARTAS system photographs the donor area from multiple angles and builds a 3D map of every visible follicular unit. The AI algorithm identifies:
- Follicular unit locations (single, double, triple, and quadruple hair groupings)
- Hair growth angles and directions
- Skin tension patterns
- Optimal extraction pattern to avoid overharvesting any zone
This mapping phase takes 15-30 minutes and produces a detailed extraction plan that the surgeon reviews and approves before the robot begins.
Step 2: AI-Guided Extraction
The robotic arm positions the extraction punch over each targeted follicular unit with sub-millimeter accuracy. For each graft, the system:
- Aligns the punch with the follicle's exit angle (measured from the 3D map)
- Scores the skin surface to the calibrated depth
- Completes the circular cut around the follicular unit
- Retracts and repositions to the next target
The AI adjusts its approach in real time based on feedback. If it detects a follicle at an unexpected angle, it recalibrates before cutting. If resistance suggests it is approaching the follicle at a suboptimal angle, it can abort and re-approach.
Step 3: Manual Graft Removal and Implantation
After the ARTAS robot completes the punch incisions, human team members extract the loosened grafts by hand. The grafts are then sorted, counted, and stored in a holding solution.
Recipient site creation and implantation are performed manually by the surgeon, exactly as in standard FUE. The ARTAS system can assist with recipient site placement using its AI mapping to suggest optimal angle, depth, and distribution patterns, but the surgeon controls this phase.
Cost Breakdown: Why ARTAS is More Expensive
The per-graft premium reflects several factors unique to robotic procedures.
Equipment Investment
The ARTAS system costs $300,000-400,000 to purchase, with ongoing maintenance contracts of $30,000-50,000 per year. Clinics need to recoup this investment across their patient volume, which directly increases per-graft pricing.
Training and Certification
Surgeons and technicians undergo specialized ARTAS training and certification. The learning curve is shorter than for manual FUE (since the robot handles the hardest part), but the specialized nature limits the number of trained providers.
Procedure Room Requirements
ARTAS requires a dedicated operating room with specific layout requirements for the robotic arm's range of motion, specialized lighting, and real-time monitoring displays. This dedicated space cannot be used for other procedures when ARTAS is in operation.
Cost Comparison by Graft Count
| Graft Count | Manual FUE (US) | ARTAS (US) | ARTAS Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,500 | $6,000-9,000 | $10,500-15,000 | +$4,500-6,000 |
| 2,000 | $8,000-12,000 | $14,000-20,000 | +$6,000-8,000 |
| 2,500 | $10,000-15,000 | $17,500-25,000 | +$7,500-10,000 |
| 3,000 | $12,000-18,000 | $21,000-30,000 | +$9,000-12,000 |
| 4,000 | $16,000-24,000 | $28,000-40,000 | +$12,000-16,000 |
For patients considering international options, ARTAS is available at a handful of premium clinics in Turkey ($3-5/graft) and the UK ($6-9/graft), but it is predominantly a US procedure.
Where ARTAS Excels
Consistency Across Large Sessions
The most clinically significant advantage of ARTAS is fatigue-free extraction. In a manual 4,000-graft megasession lasting 10-12 hours, even experienced surgeons experience hand fatigue in later hours. Studies show that manual extraction transection rates (damaged grafts) increase from 3-5% in the first hour to 7-12% in hours 8-10.
ARTAS maintains the same precision from graft 1 to graft 4,000. Its transection rate stays at 3-7% throughout the entire session.
Donor Area Preservation
The AI mapping algorithm distributes extraction points evenly across the donor area, preventing the "moth-eaten" appearance that can result from uneven manual harvesting. The system enforces minimum spacing between extraction points, ensuring the donor area maintains a natural appearance even after 4,000+ grafts are removed.
Reproducibility Between Sessions
For patients planning staged procedures (two sessions spaced 12-18 months apart), ARTAS maps the donor area including previously harvested sites. This prevents double-harvesting from zones that have already been tapped, optimizing long-term donor sustainability.
Where ARTAS Falls Short
No Body or Beard Hair Extraction
ARTAS is calibrated exclusively for scalp hair. Patients with limited scalp donor area who need beard, chest, or body hair grafts cannot use the robotic system for those extractions. Manual FUE remains the only option for non-scalp donor sources.
Full Shaving Required
The ARTAS imaging system requires a completely shaved donor area to map follicular units accurately. Patients who prefer a no-shave or partial-shave approach must choose manual FUE or DHI.
Limited Punch Size Flexibility
ARTAS uses a fixed punch size (typically 0.9-1.0mm). Experienced manual FUE surgeons select punch sizes ranging from 0.7mm to 1.0mm based on the patient's follicular unit characteristics. Finer punches (0.7-0.8mm) produce less visible donor scarring and are preferred for patients with fine hair or thin skin.
Implantation is Still Manual
The ARTAS robot only assists with extraction. Recipient site creation and graft placement, the steps that most influence the naturalness of the final result, are performed manually by the surgeon. The artistic skill of the surgeon matters just as much with ARTAS as with manual FUE.
Availability
Only approximately 50 clinics in the US currently operate ARTAS systems. Patients may need to travel domestically to access robotic FUE, adding logistical complexity.
Who Should Consider ARTAS
ARTAS is a strong fit for patients who match these criteria:
| Criteria | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Need 3,000+ grafts | Consistency advantage is greatest in megasessions |
| Budget is flexible ($20,000+) | Premium is significant |
| Value technological precision | AI-guided extraction appeals to some patients |
| Plan multiple sessions | Donor mapping benefits staged procedures |
| Comfortable with full shave | Required for the system |
| Scalp-only donor source | ARTAS cannot harvest beard/body hair |
Who Should Choose Manual FUE Instead
| Criteria | Why Manual FUE is Better |
|---|---|
| Budget under $15,000 | ARTAS premium is hard to justify |
| Need no-shave procedure | ARTAS requires full shave |
| Need beard/body hair grafts | ARTAS is scalp-only |
| Want smallest possible punch | Manual offers 0.7mm; ARTAS is 0.9mm+ |
| Under 2,000 grafts | Consistency advantage is minimal in smaller sessions |
| Surgeon has 10+ years FUE experience | Expert manual results match or exceed ARTAS |
ARTAS Results Timeline
The growth timeline is identical to manual FUE because the biological process of graft integration is the same regardless of extraction method.
| Milestone | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Donor area healed | 7-10 days |
| Recipient scabs fall off | 7-14 days |
| Shock shedding | Weeks 2-4 |
| First new growth visible | Month 3-4 |
| Significant coverage | Month 6-8 |
| Near-final density | Month 10-12 |
| Final result | Month 12-18 |
Graft survival rates with ARTAS are 90-95%, matching manual FUE performed by experienced surgeons. The robot does not improve survival; it improves extraction consistency and reduces the transection rate in extended sessions.
For a broader comparison of FUE methods including the strip technique, see our FUE vs FUT comparison. To determine whether your hair loss stage warrants a large session where ARTAS excels, consult our Norwood scale guide.
Upload photos of your hair loss pattern to our AI analysis tool for a personalized graft estimate and technique recommendation.