All about the DHI hair transplant

The abbreviation DHI stands for Direct Hair Implantation. The technique is different in the way of placing back the grafts (groups of hair follicles). DHI is a variant of the FUE method. The extraction is done, as in any FUE treatment, with a micromotor. With DHI, the grafts are then transplanted directly at the recipient site using a Choi Pen (a pen-like device with a hollow needle). Therefore, making the incision (the small cut in the skin) and placing, is done in one operation.

The results of the DHI hair transplant are permanent just like with FUT or regular FUE. The main difference with the DHI hair transplant technique, compared to other techniques, is that with special equipment, the hair follicles can be directly harvested and implanted.

How does the DHI treatment work?

As with any hair transplant, this approach involves local anesthesia of the donor area and the transplant area beforehand. The amount of grafts transplanted depends on each person and situation. During a consultation at Zantman Clinic , we will look at your situation and give you a personalized recommendation. Once the grafts are harvested, if necessary, they are split into grafts with a single hair follicle to fit into the Choi pen. The harvested grafts are placed in the DHI implantor. They are then placed in the recipient area.

Treatment duration and outcome

The duration of DHI hair transplantation depends on the number of grafts to be transplanted. The more grafts are transplanted, the longer the treatment takes. The average treatment time for the DHI hair transplant is between six and nine hours. After the hair transplant, the results are not immediately visible. This is because the transplanted hairs fall out after about three weeks. After that, new hair growth only becomes visible. It takes about a year before the final result is visible.

FUE versus DHI: the two hair transplant techniques are regularly confused with each other. This is understandable, as DHI is actually a variation of the FUE technique. In FUE, all the grafts are harvested from the donor area. Then the doctor makes incisions in the area where the grafts will be inserted. Once the grafts are checked and sorted, they are inserted into the transplant area one by one with tweezers. In DHI, all grafts are harvested from the donor area in the same way. In this technique, the grafts are placed in an implantation pin after harvesting and then immediately placed in the area to be transplanted. The same instrument is used to place and make the incision.

To tell you more about hair transplant experiences following this approach, we list the pros and cons for you.

Advantages

Thanks to the DHI hair transplant, it is possible to implant the hair follicles directly. Thus, no separate incisions are made in the recipient area. A larger team of assistants can be used, because the filling of the instrument and the placement can be done by different people. As a result, more can be placed in a short period of time. Filling the pen requires little experience and is easily learned by an assistant team. It can be an advantage for the medical team in a hair transplant with long hair, as the incision can be harder to see among the long hair.

Cons

To make a good choice, with each method it is also important to consider the disadvantages. The DHI hair transplant generally requires more grafts than a regular FUE treatment. This is because the hair follicles must consist of single hair follicles. Grafts with multiple hair follicles do not fit into the pen. The pens used in this procedure are used only once. Because of these two factors, the price of a DHI hair transplant is higher. Furthermore, a major disadvantage of using an implanter is that it increases the chance of damaging grafts as they are pushed through the pen. If that happens, the grafts become unusable or suffer trauma during the hair transplant process. Combining making incisions and placing the grafts, it is a less careful treatment technique, than if making the incisions and placing are separate operations.

Still have questions?

Are you curious whether the DHI hair transplant is right for you? Or would you like to know what other variations on the FUE treatment are possible? Then schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our specialists or call us to make an appointment. Or check out the techniques page and discover even more possible variations on the FUE hair transplant.