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PROCEDURE

FUE Hair Transplant in Phoenix, AZ

Follicular unit excision performed by hand or with robotic assistance, with individual grafts inspected before placement. Dr. Scott Alexander has performed hair restoration exclusively since 2003 and is an authorized ARTAS® provider.
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1,000–2,000

Grafts per FUE session

7–14

Days for donor healing

6–9

Months to visible growth

1

Case per day, start to finish

  • FDA-Cleared Technology
  • Authorized ARTAS® Provider
  • Member, ISHRS
Fine surgical implanters resting over a tray

THE PROCEDURE

What FUE Is

Follicular unit excision removes individual grafts from the donor area one at a time, rather than removing a strip of donor tissue. Each follicular unit — the natural grouping of one to four hairs as they grow in the scalp — is extracted directly from the skin.
Because no strip of tissue is removed, there is no linear incision in the donor area. Extraction sites heal as small round points, typically not detectable with hair worn at normal length. The tradeoff is time: individual extraction is more labor-intensive than the strip method, which is why FUE is generally the right approach for sessions under approximately 2,000 grafts.
At Biltmore, FUE extraction is performed one of two ways — by hand, or with robotic assistance. Dr. Alexander is trained and experienced in both, and the choice is made at consultation based on what’s best for the individual patient.

OUR TECHNIQUE

Two Techniques, One Procedure

Handheld

Extraction is performed using a handheld instrument, with trained technicians assisting under Dr. Alexander’s direct supervision — guided by direct observation and tactile feedback, reading each follicle’s angle and depth as extraction proceeds.

Robotic-Assisted FUE (ARTAS®)

Dr. Scott Alexander is an authorized ARTAS® provider. Before extraction begins, the ARTAS® system — developed and manufactured by Venus Concept — uses imaging and an AI-guided algorithm to map follicle locations, angles, and spacing across the donor area. The robotic arm then harvests grafts using a dual-punch instrument: a sharp inner punch scores the boundary around each follicle, and a blunt outer punch dissects it from surrounding tissue without cutting it. The robotic arm applies consistent harvesting parameters across the entire session, regardless of session length.
A robotic hair restoration system in a treatment room
With either method, a trained technician manually removes and prepares each graft after harvesting. Every graft is inspected under magnification before placement.

What Stays the Same

The part of hair transplant surgery that determines the final result is placement — where recipient sites are made, at what angle and depth, and how grafts are positioned within them. That part is identical at Biltmore regardless of which harvesting method is used.
Graft placement uses the lateral-slit technique that has defined this practice since 2003. Each recipient site is made with a chisel-cut blade matched to the width and depth of the follicle being placed, and the graft locks in naturally rather than being held open by the instrument. Sites are created before grafts are placed, giving the surgical team time to evaluate position, angle, and density before the first graft enters. This precision allows Dr. Alexander to pack grafts at high density — for some patients, that can mean their goals are achievable in a single session rather than multiple procedures, depending on donor characteristics and the area to be covered.

CANDIDACY

How the Choice Is Made

Both approaches are typically well-suited for patients who:
  • Are earlier in their hair loss progression, with a graft need under approximately 2,000 units
  • Prefer to wear their hair short or shaved, where a linear donor scar would be visible
  • Want to preserve as much of their donor area as possible across potential future sessions
Within that, patients who prefer robotic-assisted harvesting, or whose donor characteristics are a strong fit for the ARTAS® algorithm, may be good candidates for the robotic approach. Others may be better served by handheld technique. Dr. Alexander will tell you which approach works for you and why — not based on which system is available, but on what’s right for your case. Some patients who request FUE are better served by the strip method, and he’ll say so directly.
Candidacy is evaluated at the consultation.
A tablet showing an assessment chart beside a printed scalp diagram

RECOVERY TIMELINE

What to Expect

Donor Area

Small extraction sites typically heal within 7 to 14 days. With normal hair length in the donor area, the sites are not detectable once healed.

Recipient Area

Transplanted hairs enter a resting phase after surgery. Initial shedding is normal within the first few weeks. Meaningful new growth typically becomes visible at 6 to 9 months. Full maturation of results takes 12 to 18 months.

The Day of Surgery

One case per day. Dr. Alexander is present from the first extraction to the final graft, regardless of harvesting method. For the patient, that means one surgeon, one day, no rotation.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

How many grafts can be done in one session?

For most patients, a single session yields 1,000 to 2,000 grafts, whether performed by hand or with robotic assistance. The specific number depends on donor density, scalp laxity, and the area to be covered. Dr. Alexander will give you a realistic estimate at the consultation.

What's the difference between handheld and robotic-assisted FUE?

The extraction method differs — manual versus robotic. Graft placement into the recipient area is performed the same way for both. Most patients cannot see a difference in their final result.

Is robotic-assisted FUE faster than handheld?

The robotic system operates at a consistent rate throughout the session. For some patients and session sizes, this is more efficient; for others, the benefit is more about consistency than speed. Dr. Alexander will give you a realistic time estimate at the consultation.

Is the robotic system FDA-cleared?

Yes. The ARTAS® system used at Biltmore is an FDA-cleared medical device.

Is FUE less painful than strip surgery?

Both procedures are performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the treatment area during surgery. Post-procedure discomfort is generally mild and manageable with over-the-counter medications. FUE typically has a shorter donor recovery period.

Can I have a second FUE session later?

Many patients do. Donor supply is finite, and each session draws from that supply. Dr. Alexander factors long-term donor management into the treatment plan from the first consultation.

Will I need to shave my head for FUE?

Dr. Alexander typically requires at least a partial shave of the donor area for access. The area is generally concealable with surrounding hair. Longer hair on the recipient area can often be left unshaved.

Does robotic-assisted FUE cost more than handheld?

The consultation fee is complimentary. Procedure cost depends on graft count and individual case complexity, not which harvesting method is used. Dr. Alexander will provide specific pricing at the consultation.

Schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Alexander to evaluate your candidacy, review your donor area, and get a direct recommendation on which technique is right for you.

Consultations are complimentary for patients 25 and over. Virtual consultations are available for patients traveling from outside Arizona.
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