An apparatus constructed to pull a strand of hair, the apparatus comprising: a frame having a longitudinal axis (A 1) and a first end;a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg extending from the first end of the frame the third leg spaced apart from the first and second legs; wherein the first, second, and third legs (14, 16, and 30), respectively, are integrally coupled to the frame, or releasably coupled to the frame, or some combination thereof; wherein the third leg is movable linearly relative to the frame; wherein the third leg comprises a rod having external threads and an end distal to the frame, wherein the apparatus includes a knob rotatably coupled to the frame, wherein the knob includes internal threads that are configured to receive the rod and engage the external threads of the rod; a control system comprising a processor to execute a plurality of pulling profile instructions stored in a memory; a linear actuator operatively coupled to the control system and constructed to move linearly along the longitudinal axis (A 1) relative to the frame, the linear actuator having a distal end; a load cell coupled to the linear actuator, wherein the load cell is positioned between an upper portion and a lower portion of the actuator; and a gripper coupled to the distal end of the linear actuator, the gripper constructed to grip a strand of hair; wherein when one or more of the plurality of pulling profile instructions stored in memory are executed by the processor, the control system causes the linear actuator to retract along the longitudinal axis (A 1), applying a pulling force to a strand of hair gripped by the gripper; and wherein the load cell is configured to measure the pulling force. a frame having a longitudinal axis (A 1) and a first end;a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg extending from the first end of the frame the third leg spaced apart from the first and second legs; wherein the first, second, and third legs (14, 16, and 30), respectively, are integrally coupled to the frame, or releasably coupled to the frame, or some combination thereof; wherein the third leg is movable linearly relative to the frame; wherein the third leg comprises a rod having external threads and an end distal to the frame, wherein the apparatus includes a knob rotatably coupled to the frame, wherein the knob includes internal threads that are configured to receive the rod and engage the external threads of the rod; a control system comprising a processor to execute a plurality of pulling profile instructions stored in a memory; a linear actuator operatively coupled to the control system and constructed to move linearly along the longitudinal axis (A 1) relative to the frame, the linear actuator having a distal end; a load cell coupled to the linear actuator, wherein the load cell is positioned between an upper portion and a lower portion of the actuator; and a gripper coupled to the distal end of the linear actuator, the gripper constructed to grip a strand of hair; wherein when one or more of the plurality of pulling profile instructions stored in memory are executed by the processor, the control system causes the linear actuator to retract along the longitudinal axis (A 1), applying a pulling force to a strand of hair gripped by the gripper; and wherein the load cell is configured to measure the pulling force.