ARTAS robotic hair transplants achieve 90 to 95 percent graft survival when the procedure follows established best practices. The robotic system's AI-guided extraction, consistent punch depth, and reduced transection rates give it measurable advantages over manual techniques for preserving each follicular unit during harvesting.
Graft survival is not determined by a single factor. It depends on a chain of events from the moment a follicle is selected for extraction through the first 14 days of healing in the recipient area. This guide breaks down every factor that influences whether your transplanted hair thrives or fails.
How ARTAS AI Precision Improves Graft Survival
Reduced Transection Rates
Transection occurs when the extraction punch cuts through a hair follicle instead of cleanly removing it. A transected follicle is damaged or destroyed and will not produce healthy hair in the recipient site.
Manual FUE transection rates vary widely based on surgeon skill and fatigue. Published studies report manual transection rates ranging from 3 to 15 percent depending on the practitioner. ARTAS reduces transection to under 5 percent by using AI-powered imaging to calculate the exact angle and depth of each follicular unit before the robotic arm extracts it.
| Factor | Manual FUE | ARTAS Robotic FUE |
|---|---|---|
| Transection rate | 3-15% (varies by surgeon) | Under 5% |
| Angle calculation | Surgeon estimation | AI-mapped per follicle |
| Consistency over time | Decreases with fatigue | Remains constant |
| Punch depth control | Manual feel | Digitally calibrated |
Consistent Extraction Depth
Human hands fatigue over a 4 to 8 hour procedure. As fatigue sets in during manual FUE, extraction depth may become inconsistent. Punches that go too shallow damage the follicle bulb. Punches that go too deep cause unnecessary tissue trauma and increase healing time.
ARTAS maintains identical extraction parameters from the first graft to the last. The robotic arm does not tire, does not lose focus, and does not vary its technique across thousands of extractions.
Intelligent Follicle Selection
The ARTAS system maps the entire donor area before extraction begins. Its AI algorithm identifies the angle, direction, and grouping of every follicular unit in the planned extraction zone. It then selects follicles in a randomized pattern that avoids over-harvesting any single area, staying within the safe extraction limit of 45 percent of donor follicles.
Temperature and Storage: The Critical Window
Why Temperature Matters
Once a graft is removed from the scalp, it begins deteriorating. The follicle cells consume oxygen and nutrients from their stored reserves. At room temperature (20 to 25 degrees Celsius), these reserves deplete faster than at cooled temperatures.
The goal is to keep grafts between 4 and 10 degrees Celsius from the moment of extraction until placement.
ARTAS clinics use several storage methods:
- Chilled saline solution: The most common approach. Grafts are placed in saline cooled to 4 to 8 degrees Celsius.
- Hypothermosol: A specialized biopreservation solution designed for tissue storage that provides better cell protection than saline alone.
- ATP (adenosine triphosphate) holding solutions: Advanced solutions that provide energy substrates to keep follicle cells metabolically active during storage.
Time Out of Body
Every minute a graft spends outside the body reduces its survival probability. Research shows that grafts stored properly at cool temperatures maintain high viability for up to 6 hours. Beyond that, survival rates begin declining.
| Time Out of Body | Survival Impact |
|---|---|
| Under 2 hours | Minimal impact |
| 2-4 hours | Slight decrease if not cooled |
| 4-6 hours | Measurable decline begins |
| 6-8 hours | Significant risk if storage is suboptimal |
| Over 8 hours | Substantial survival reduction |
ARTAS procedures typically last 4 to 8 hours depending on graft count. Since extraction and placement happen in phases (extract a batch, place a batch), individual grafts are rarely out of the body for the full procedure duration. A well-organized surgical team keeps most grafts in storage for under 2 to 3 hours.
Handling and Placement Factors
Graft Desiccation
Desiccation (drying out) is the number one killer of hair grafts. A graft that dries for even a few minutes sustains cellular damage that reduces its growth potential. Surgical teams prevent this by keeping grafts submerged in chilled solution at all times and using frequent saline misting during placement.
Mechanical Trauma During Placement
Even with perfect extraction, rough handling during the placement phase can crush or damage follicles. The placement step is still performed manually by the surgeon and their team. Factors that affect placement survival include:
- Forceps technique: Grafts should be grasped by the surrounding tissue, never by the follicle itself
- Recipient site size match: Sites that are too tight crush the graft; sites that are too loose allow the graft to fall out or sit at an incorrect angle
- Insertion depth: Grafts placed too shallow may pop out or produce hair at an unnatural angle; grafts placed too deep may develop cysts
Blood Supply Reestablishment
Transplanted grafts must reconnect to the blood supply in the recipient area within 48 to 72 hours. This process (called neovascularization) is why the first few days after surgery are critical. Anything that disrupts blood flow to the recipient area during this window threatens graft survival.
Post-Operative Care That Protects Your Investment
The First 72 Hours
The first three days determine whether grafts successfully anchor and revascularize. During this window:
- Do not touch, rub, or scratch the recipient area
- Sleep with your head elevated at 45 degrees to reduce swelling
- Apply saline spray as directed to keep grafts hydrated
- Avoid blood-thinning medications and alcohol
- Do not wear tight hats or anything that presses on the grafts
Days 3-14: Healing Phase
After the initial 72-hour window, grafts are more secure but still vulnerable:
- Begin gentle hair washing on day 3 per your surgeon's instructions
- Avoid direct sun exposure on the transplanted area
- No exercise, heavy lifting, or activities that raise blood pressure
- Do not pick at scabs (they protect the grafts underneath)
Weeks 2-8: Shedding Phase
Transplanted hair shafts will fall out during this period. This is expected shock loss and does not indicate graft failure. The follicle root remains alive beneath the skin. New hair growth begins around month 3 to 4 from the surviving follicles.
For more on what to expect during the shedding and growth timeline, see our ARTAS results guide.
Factors You Can Control vs. Factors You Cannot
Within Your Control
- Choosing a board-certified surgeon at an established ARTAS clinic
- Following all post-operative care instructions precisely
- Avoiding smoking (reduces blood flow to the scalp by 20 to 30 percent)
- Taking prescribed medications including finasteride if recommended
- Protecting the transplanted area from sun, trauma, and drying
Within Your Surgeon's Control
- Extraction technique and transection avoidance
- Graft storage temperature and solution quality
- Time management to minimize out-of-body duration
- Recipient site creation (angle, depth, density pattern)
- Placement technique and handling
Understanding both sets of factors helps you make better decisions when selecting a clinic and following through on your post-operative plan.
Get a Personalized Graft Survival Assessment
Upload a photo at myhairline.ai to receive an AI-powered analysis of your hair loss stage, estimated graft requirements, and what survival factors matter most for your specific case. Understanding your starting point is the first step toward a successful ARTAS procedure.
FAQ
What is the graft survival rate for ARTAS robotic hair transplants?
ARTAS robotic hair transplants achieve 90 to 95 percent graft survival when performed by an experienced surgeon following best practices. The robotic system reduces transection rates to under 5 percent compared to 10 to 15 percent with some manual FUE techniques. Survival rates depend on extraction precision, graft handling, storage conditions, and post-operative care.
How does temperature affect hair transplant graft survival?
Grafts begin dying when they dry out or are exposed to temperatures outside the 4 to 10 degree Celsius range for extended periods. ARTAS clinics use chilled saline or hypothermosol storage solutions to keep grafts hydrated and cool during the procedure. Grafts left at room temperature for more than 4 hours show significantly reduced survival rates.
When will I know if my ARTAS grafts survived?
Most transplanted hairs shed between weeks 2 and 8 after the procedure. This is normal shock loss and does not mean grafts failed. New growth from surviving follicles begins around month 3 to 4. By month 8 to 10, you can see roughly 80 percent of your final density. Full results with maximum thickness are visible at 12 to 18 months.