Your Complete Guide on DHI Hair Transplant

What is DHI hair transplant?

DHI hair transplant (Direct Hair Implantation) is a type of hair transplant surgeries and a new variation of the FUE technique which was developed in 2010 by Global Medical Group. Hair transplant with this method is shortened into 2 main steps rather than three steps. The surgeon uses the CHOI Implanter pen to directly implant the grafts without the need to open the incisions separately.

How does DHI work?

DHI hair transplant surgery works in the same way as the classic FUE in terms of extracting the grafts from the back side of the head. However, the only difference is that it doesn’t require the surgeon to open the canals in a separate step.

With the help of the Choi Implanter the surgeon directly inserts the grafts in hollow needles attached to the pens and directly implants them in the scalp. In this way, the step of opening the canals and the implantation are combined into one step.

The stages of DHI method

There are two main stages of the DHI method: extraction and implantation of the grafts. During the extraction stage, a punch is used to remove follicular units from the donor area. Next, the follicular units are directly inserted into the recipient area using the Choi implanter pens.

Here is an infographic that shows how this procedure works:

How many hair grafts can be transplanted with the DHI?

Unlike what some clinics try to convince patients that DHI allows for a large number of hair grafts to be transplanted in a single treatment. It’s actually best suited for small areas. The number of grafts that a surgeon can transplant using DHI ranges between 2500-4000 grafts. If the patient needs more grafts then it’s better to perform the surgery using another technique such as the Micro FUE or the Sapphire FUE.

Implanting over 4000 grafts means a lengthier process that exceeds 8 hours. If a clinic promises to transplant 5000 hair grafts in a single session within 7-8 hours be sure that it will be done very fast and without precision. Eventually, this will affect the final results and it may even lead to failure.

Who can get a DHI hair transplantation?

DHI hair transplantation can be used for both men and women above 20 years old. The procedure is most effective for people who have:

Lost hair due to genetic factors, such as male pattern baldness.
Have enough healthy hair follicles to donate to the transplant site.
Those who do not have any active skin infections or inflammation in the area where the surgery will be performed.
Candidates should be in good physical health and have no history of any chronic diseases, kidney failure, or heart-related problems.
DHI is best used for individuals with a receding hairline and temples or who need more density in thinning areas. But for those with advanced baldness and big balding patches, this may not be the best option.

If you’re not sure if DHI is right for you, you can always get in touch with us for a free consultation.

Pros and cons of DHI hair transplant?

Like all other hair transplant techniques, DHI has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

Eliminates the need to priorly create the incisions.
Reduces the time that the grafts stay out of the skin.
Results in relatively less scabbing.
Less bleeding during the surgery.

Cons:

It’s more expensive than other types of hair transplants.
Takes more time as it needs more precision.
The wrong insertion of the grafts into the implanter pens can damage the hair follicles.
If done by a less experienced surgeon it may lead to unnatural-looking results.

How long is the DHI hair transplant recovery time?

The recovery process following a DHI hair restoration technique is typically short. It’s more or less the same as the recovery process after any type of hair transplant which is on average between 10-14 days.

One of the biggest advantages is that the scabs that form on the transplanted area are less. This is because the hair follicles are implanted directly into the scalp without the need to separately open the canals.

Most patients also report only mild discomfort during the procedure, which is quickly relieved by the numbing agent. Immediately after the treatment, the area may be slightly red and swollen, but this typically subsides within a few days. Patients are often able to return to their normal activities after one week, although strenuous exercise should be avoided for 1 month.

Two weeks after hair transplant patients will experience temporary hair shedding in the treated area. But new hair growth should begin starting from the 3rd month.

What are the risks associated with DHI hair transplantation surgery?

DHI hair transplant surgery is a minimally invasive and safe procedure. However, like any surgical procedure, there are some potential risks associated. This may include:

Infection.
Loss of scalp sensations (numbing).
Shock loss which is a temporarily shedding of either the donor or the transplanted hair.
Reaction to the local anesthesia.
Necrosis or death of skin tissue.

It’s important to select your hair transplant clinic very carefully and follow the post-operative instructions to avoid any complications.

Hair transplant without shaving using DHI

Most hair transplants require shaving the hair in order to accurately extract and implant the follicles. But, this can be a problem for some patients, as they may not want to shave their heads completely.

Fortunately, for some cases with mild hair loss and hairline recession, a partial shave is possible. This is when the doctor only shaves the donor site and the recipient site.

Yet, some hair transplant clinics promise their patients that they can perform hair transplants without shaving the hair by using the DHI technique. But regardless of that, shaving is not something related to the technique used. It’s rather related to the necessity of trimming the hair very short to enable the precise extraction and implantation of the grafts.

Keeping the hair long will prevent the team from clearly seeing the hair. It also causes some problems when washing the hair since the newly transplanted grafts can stick to the existing long hair and dislodge them.

Difference between FUE and DHI: which is better?

DHI is basically a modified version of the FUE (follicular unit extraction). Both procedures involve harvesting individual hairs from the donor area and then transplanting them into the recipient area.

However, the main difference lies in the way the hair follicles are implanted. In the FUE technique, the surgeon creates incisions in the recipient (balding areas) using either steel or Sapphire blades. Then they place the grafts into the incisions.

DHI, on the other hand, doesn’t require the incisions to be opened beforehand. But instead, the hair grafts are inserted into a Choi implanter pen and immediately implanted into the scalp. So, the creation of incisions and implantation happen simultaneously.

In terms of which one is better: FUE or DHI? Both are good options and generate excellent results if performed by a highly skilled and experienced hair transplant specialist.

However, it depends on each patient’s individual case and degree of baldness. Those who have receding hairline and temples or suffer from small areas of hair thinning could be good candidates for DHI. Whereas, patients with big areas of baldness are better suited for FUE hair transplant.

Also, you need to keep in mind that some clinics may promote DHI over other techniques since it costs more.

How much does a DHI hair transplant cost? Are there any financing options available?

The cost of DHI hair transplant will vary depending on the number of grafts, the country it’s performed in, and the reputation of the surgeon. But the prices typically range from $4,000 to $15,000.

Since DHI is considered a cosmetic procedure there are no insurance plans that cover such type of surgery. However, if you’re looking for a way to reduce the cost of hair transplant you can consider having it in another country that charges less while maintaining high quality such as Turkey.

DHI hair transplant in Turkey

DHI hair transplant in Turkey became very popular in recent years due to its experienced surgeons and affordable prices. Almost all the clinics in Turkey use this method. However, not all of them can guarantee the best results if they don’t have the needed skills to carry out this type of procedure.

Although, a hair transplant with DHI is considered very expensive but in Turkey DHI hair transplant price is considered very cheap for patients coming from western countries where it costs between $40,00-$15,000.

The cost of DHI hair transplant in Turkey ranges between $2,000-$3,500 including accommodation and VIP transportation. For many people, this is considered a great investment where they can get a high-quality service for an affordable price and enjoy the beauty of Turkey.

DHI hair transplant before and after

In the video below you can see DHI hair transplant results for one of our patients who wanted to lower his hairline.