NeoGraft Hair Transplant Tracking: Automated FUE Recovery Documentation

What Is NeoGraft Automated FUE?

NeoGraft is one of the most widely used automated FUE devices in the US, with over 500 clinic partners offering the system. It uses pneumatic suction to extract individual hair follicles from the donor area and implant them in thinning zones. Unlike fully robotic systems, NeoGraft is surgeon-operated but mechanically assisted, combining human judgment with automated extraction speed.

NeoGraft FUE typically costs $4-8 per graft in the US, positioning it between manual FUE ($4-6) and robotic ARTAS ($6-9). The question for every NeoGraft patient is the same: are the grafts surviving, and is density improving on schedule?

Structured tracking answers that question with data instead of guesswork.

How to Track Your NeoGraft FUE Recovery

Step 1: Document Your Pre-Op Baseline

Before your NeoGraft procedure, upload comprehensive baseline photos to HairLine AI. Capture these angles:

• Top-down vertex view
• Frontal hairline (straight on)
• Left and right temple views
• Donor area (back of head, sides)

Record your starting Norwood classification, the planned graft count, and any concurrent medications (finasteride, minoxidil). This baseline is the reference point for every future comparison.

Step 2: Capture Immediate Post-Op (Day 1-3)

Within the first three days after your NeoGraft procedure, take a complete photo set. These images document:

• Graft placement density and pattern in recipient zones
• Donor area extraction pattern (should show uniform, evenly spaced dot wounds)
• Redness, swelling, and scabbing levels
• Hairline design as executed by the surgeon

Ask your clinic for a graft count report. NeoGraft clinics should be able to tell you exactly how many grafts were extracted and placed, and in which zones.

Step 3: Track the Shedding Phase (Weeks 2-8)

Shock loss is a normal part of every FUE recovery, including NeoGraft. The transplanted hair shafts fall out while the follicle roots remain viable beneath the skin. Here is the typical NeoGraft shedding timeline:

The period between weeks 4 and 10 is often called the "ugly duckling" phase because the recipient area looks worse than before surgery. Your tracking data during this phase proves that shedding is following the normal pattern.

Step 4: Monitor Early Growth (Months 3-6)

New growth from transplanted NeoGraft follicles typically appears around month 3, with progressive thickening through month 6. Take monthly photo sets during this window and compare each against your baseline.

Key observations to document:

• First visible new hairs (often thin and wispy initially)
• Growth pattern across different recipient zones
• Whether the hairline zone grows at the same rate as the crown
• Hair texture (transplanted hairs may initially be finer or curlier than surrounding native hair)

Step 5: Assess Near-Final Results (Months 9-12)

By month 9, most NeoGraft FUE grafts that survived are producing mature hair. Month 12 represents the standard benchmark for assessing final results, though some patients see continued improvement through month 18.

At the 12-month mark, measure:

• Overall density gain compared to your pre-op baseline
• Graft survival estimate (compare achieved density against expected density for your graft count)
• Donor area density to confirm no visible overharvesting
• Hairline naturalness from conversational distance (arm's length)

Expected survival rates for NeoGraft FUE are 90-95% when performed by an experienced surgeon.

NeoGraft vs Manual FUE vs ARTAS: Tracking Differences

The tracking process is essentially identical across all three FUE methods. The grafts behave the same way once implanted, so shedding, regrowth, and maturation timelines do not differ based on extraction device. Learn more about the FUE extraction technique and how it works across devices.

Donor Area Monitoring After NeoGraft

NeoGraft extraction creates small circular wounds (typically 0.8-1.0mm punch diameter) that heal as dot scars. These should be undetectable once donor hair grows to 1cm or longer.

However, donor supply is finite. The safe extraction limit is approximately 45% of donor follicles, with an average of 2.2 hairs per graft. If you are planning multiple sessions, tracking your donor density between procedures is essential. Photograph the donor area at the same intervals and compare against your pre-op baseline.

Signs of concerning donor depletion:

• Visible thinning when donor hair is short (buzz cut length)
• Moth-eaten appearance from clustered extractions
• Density below 60 follicular units per cm2 (your surgeon can measure this)

When NeoGraft Results Underperform

If your tracking data shows less than 80% estimated graft survival at 12 months, several factors could be responsible:

• Post-op care compliance: Did you follow washing and activity restrictions?
• Medication adherence: Finasteride and minoxidil support transplanted and native hair
• Smoking or alcohol: Both impair blood flow and healing during the critical first month
• Surgeon technique: NeoGraft is operator-dependent, and outcomes vary by clinic

Bring your tracking data to a follow-up consultation. Objective photo comparisons are more productive than subjective impressions when discussing results with your surgeon. For a detailed breakdown of FUE methods, see our FUE vs FUT comparison.

Start Tracking Your NeoGraft Recovery

Structured tracking turns your NeoGraft investment into a documented timeline with measurable density data. Upload your baseline photos to HairLine AI before your procedure, or start now if you are already post-op.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. NeoGraft results vary by individual, surgeon skill, and post-operative care. Consult a board-certified hair restoration specialist to determine whether NeoGraft FUE is appropriate for your hair loss pattern.