Hair Restoration vs. Hair Transplant: What’s the Difference and Which Is Right for You?
Hair loss can alter how you carry yourself, how you’re perceived, and how in control you feel. At the Center for Hair Restoration in Pittsburgh, we treat it like the grave, personal concern it is. Under the leadership of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Vassar Heil—an industry-recognized authority with nearly 20 years of experience—we deliver precision-driven, technology-forward treatments tailored for real results.
From the earliest signs of thinning to more advanced loss, our advanced systems like ARTAS®, NeoGraft®, and VERO Hair™ allow us to customize your restoration journey down to the follicle. But before we design your solution, it helps to understand the distinction between hair restoration and a hair transplant, and which aligns with your goals. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Hair Restoration?
“Hair restoration” is an umbrella term. It includes non-surgical and surgical treatments designed to regrow, restore, or transplant hair to areas where thinning or balding has occurred.
Treatments may include:
- Medications like minoxidil (Rogaine) or finasteride (Propecia)
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy
- Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
- Hair transplants (including FUE techniques like ARTAS and NeoGraft)
Hair restoration often refers to a comprehensive approach to combating hair loss, from early prevention to surgical correction. Think of it as the full toolkit.
What Is a Hair Transplant?
A hair transplant is a specific surgical procedure that moves healthy hair follicles from one area of your scalp (usually the back or sides) to balding or thinning areas. Today, the gold standard is FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction), a minimally invasive method that extracts and implants individual follicles.
At the Center for Hair Restoration in Pittsburgh, we offer the most advanced transplant techniques available:
- ARTAS® Robotic Hair Transplant
- NeoGraft® Automated FUE
- VERO Hair™, our proprietary hybrid system combining both
What Is VERO Hair Restoration?
VERO Hair™ is an exclusive, fully customized hair restoration solution that combines the power of ARTAS and NeoGraft to deliver natural, lasting results for every patient. Here’s how it works:
- ARTAS® uses advanced AI and robotics to extract and implant follicles with micron-level precision—ideal for men with straight, dark hair and androgenic alopecia
- NeoGraft® uses gentle suction-assisted FUE to treat patients with curly, coiled, or lighter hair types, or when ARTAS isn’t ideal
- VERO Hair™ merges both technologies for higher graft counts, faster treatments, and superior results—even for challenging hair types or larger areas of loss
Notably, we’re one of only 10 clinics nationwide offering this elite solution.
Which One Is Right for You? We’re Here to Help
Ask yourself:
- Are you in the early stages of hair thinning?
- Do you want to avoid surgery for now?
- Do you have specific aesthetic goals (like redesigning your hairline)?
- Are you looking for the most natural, undetectable result possible?
If you’re still deciding, that’s exactly what we’re here for. Dr. Brian Vassar Heil is a board-certified plastic surgeon and one of Pittsburgh’s most sought-after hair transplant specialists. With nearly two decades of experience and over 600 procedures in just the last two years, Dr. Heil leads one of the country’s top 10 hair restoration programs, equipped with the only ARTAS robotic systems in the tri-state area.
From our high-tech “Man Cave” environment to our advanced regenerative treatments, we’ve created a destination where men feel understood, empowered, and confident at every stage of their hair restoration journey.
Let us help you reclaim your hair, confidence, and edge. Contact us today to book your consultation and learn more.
Sources
NIH: Therapeutic Approach to Hair Loss
Hair Transplantation – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
FDA: Medical Devices for Hair Restoration
Hair Loss – Alopecia Areata
