NeoGraft Hair Transplant – Dr. Mike Vories Shares His Opinion of the Device

This question, from a member of our Hair Loss Social Community and Discussion Forums, was answered by recommended hair transplant surgeon Dr. Mike Vories:

Dr. Vories,

Like every other person on the Hair Restoration Network, I am dealing with hair loss issues. Your name has come up recently with regards to NeoGraft Hair Transplant Machine, and after reading more and more about NeoGraft I have been left, to be perfectly honest, quite shocked with the practices and results associated with NeoGraft.

I have read where you maintain that in properly trained hands NeoGraft yields excellent results. As such, I am glad that you are active in these forums because I don’t want to judge NeoGraft or the doctors associated with NeoGraft without hearing from them and, unfortunately, thus far none have responded to some of my concerns, though I’ve only posted those concerns recently.

Thanks for your input. I think it is admirable that you are learning as much as possible about the process before you proceed. However, I believe that far too much emphasis is placed on the term “NeoGraft”.

I do use a NeoGraft machine to assist me with extractions (I also have a CIT punch in case I need to perform manual extractions). Since I have joined this network of physicians, I have maintained that this machine is a surgical instrument and should be used only by physicians or physician extenders that are licensed in their state to perform the extraction phase of the procedure.

This leads me to the question of where does the controversy exist? If it exists within the context of unlicensed technicians performing the procedure under “supervision” of physicians without training or experience in hair restoration surgery, then I believe most people would agree that practice should be avoided.

If the controversy exists within the context that the NeoGraft machine has some inherent flaw (such as risk of desiccation of grafts), then I would argue that when appropriately used, this risk is minimized and must be weighed against the risk of tethering of follicular unit grafts when extracted by forceps.

I hope this begins to answer your questions. Please never feel poorly about demanding transparency, it is the oxygen the whole field (not just hair transplant surgery) requires.

Dr. Mike Vories, MD
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David (TakingThePlunge)
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.
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