DHI or direct hair implantation is a variation of the FUE technique.
It utilises a Choi Implanter pen for creating incisions and implanting hair grafts in the recipient areas.
With this, you can achieve high follicular density in the balding region. Moreover, you will have permanent, natural-looking results.
What Is a DHI Hair Transplant?
Direct hair implantation is a type of FUE hair transplant that uses a special surgical instrument – Choi Implanter pen – to ensure a greater survival rate of the hair grafts.
Instead of first making the incisions in the recipient areas and then implanting the grafts, the Choi pen allows the surgeon to do both simultaneously.
Additionally, a DHI hair transplant in Turkey can be done without shaving the recipient area, so you can get this surgery more discreetly.
However, the donor area will still be shaved because the grafts have to be extracted.
How Much Does A DHI Hair Transplant Cost?
In Turkey, a DHI hair transplant costs around £2,000 (~2300 USD) on average.
Keep in mind that this cost may include:
- Surgery
- Anaesthesia
- Medications
- Hotel accommodation
- Transfers
- Personal host
- 12-month aftercare
The DHI hair transplant cost in Turkey usually doesn’t vary by the number of grafts you need. Patients are offered the maximum number of grafts in their treatment plans.
Still, the DHI hair transplant in Turkey’s cost is higher than traditional FUE. That’s because of the multiple disposable Choi pens used during surgery.
Even so, the DHI hair transplant price in Turkey is much lower. Here’s how it compares with other countries:
| Country | DHI Cost |
| Turkey | £2,000 |
| UK | £3,000-£9,000 |
| US | $5,000-$20,000 |
| Australia | $7,000-$15,000 |
| Canada | $6,000-$15,000 |
It’s not due to poor quality. In fact, you can get the best DHI hair transplant in Turkey. It’s only cheaper due to the exchange rates and low cost of living in this country.
Who Can Have DHI Hair Transplant?
Usually, men and women, above the age of 25, with pattern baldness get a DHI hair transplant.
This method is suitable for those with only a limited amount of hair loss (need up to 3,000 grafts).
Moreover, since the surgeon can implant more grafts per cm2 (70-80) using this technique, the patient can achieve a higher density with it.
It is also a more suitable method than FUE for creating a natural hairline.
Initially, the DHI method was only for those people who had thick, straight hair.
However, now, people with fine, curly hair types can also get it.
When creating a treatment plan, the surgeon considers the colour and texture of the patient’s skin/hair along with the hair type.
Benefits Of DHI Hair Transplant
DHI hair transplant is a variation of FUE, so the hair graft survival rate is around 95%.
Additionally, this surgical technique is also very effective in ensuring the accurate and precise placement of grafts, owing to the handle of the pen.
It is possible to better control the direction and angle of hair grafts. This way, you can get more natural-looking results.
Another advantage of a DHI hair transplant is that it can help you achieve high density, especially if the balding area is small (requiring less than 3,000 grafts).
Choi Implanter pens can even make it easier to handle hair grafts, which can also help you get better coverage.
Am I Suitable For Hair Transplant?
What To Think About Before You Have DHI Hair Transplant In Turkey
To make the right decision when choosing your clinic and surgeon, you need to ask for a few things.
Ask for the resume of the surgeon to find out their qualifications, training, licensing, and certifications.
Moreover, find out how many DHI hair transplant surgeries your surgeon has performed and what the complication rate was.
In addition to that, ask how the surgeon dealt with those complications. This will give you an idea of the expected follow-up after the surgery.
Learn more about the patient satisfaction rates of the surgeon. You may also request a meetup with a previous patient of Longevita who had direct hair implantation.
How To Prepare For Your DHI Hair Transplant In Turkey
For your DHI hair transplant in Istanbul, make sure you do the following:
- Stop taking blood-thinning medication at least 10 days before.
- Do not take vitamin B and E 1-week before the surgery.
- Refrain from smoking 1-week before your procedure.
- Do not take drugs or drink alcohol 3 days before the transplant.
- Do not shave your hair. However, make sure to remove any extensions or wigs that you’re wearing 3 days before the procedure.
DHI Hair Transplant Stages
After you’ve arrived at the clinic, you’ll first have a face-to-face consultation with your surgeon. From that, that’s how your hair transplant DHI will take place:
- Surgeon draws the new hairline. Once approved, you’re headed to the operation theatre.
- Local anaesthesia is administered to ensure a painless procedure.
- Motorised punch tool is used to extract grafts from the donor area.
- Grafts are loaded into the hollow needle of the Choi pen using forceps.
- Using the Choi pen, the surgeon makes the incisions and places the grafts in the scalp simultaneously, which makes the surgery quicker than FUE.
- Grafts are placed, and the donor area is bandaged.
The needle of the Choi pen comes in various diameters (0.6-1.2mm) to ensure the accommodation of different follicular units.
This pen also gives the surgeon precise control over the entire process, where they can adjust the angling, positioning, and depth of the hair grafts.
Usually, the DHI hair transplant method has a surgical time of 6-8 hours, but it can vary depending on the area of baldness and the number of grafts needed.
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Recovery And Results Of DHI Hair Transplant
You’ll get discharged from the clinic on the day of the procedure.
You might experience pain, soreness, bruising, and swelling in the weeks following the treatment.
The surgeon will prescribe painkillers, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicines to you for the recovery process.
It is recommended that you rest for 2-3 days afterwards. You should discuss the nature of your work with your surgeon before going back to work.
It is possible for you to temporarily lose your hair for a few months after the DHI technique due to shock loss.
You will start noticing hair growth after 3-4 months. It may take 12-18 months for you to see the final results of your DHI hair transplant in Turkey.
Aftercare Of DHI Hair Transplant
Stay hydrated after the surgery to flush out drugs from local anaesthesia.
Moreover, avoid eating salty foods as they can worsen swelling. You also need to elevate your head when lying down.
Make sure that you avoid any activity that makes you sweat. Meanwhile, wash your scalp according to the instructions of the surgeon.
You can start covering your head with loose scarves or caps 2-weeks after the surgery.
You can start scalp massages after the 2-week mark to improve blood circulation. To further support the recovery, you can use oils and take supplements.
Make sure to double-check with Longevita Aftercare before you use any products/supplements for hair.
Side Effects to Expect After DHI Hair Transplant
Side effects from a DHI hair transplant are usually temporary. You may have:
- Pain, bruising and bleeding
- Swelling/numbness
- Itchiness
- Infection
- Folliculitis or pimples
What Could Go Wrong After A DHI Transplant?
You may get an infection in the surgical area. Make sure you take the antibiotics as prescribed by the surgeon.
Whenever you touch your scalp, make sure to wash your hands.
Following surgery, the grafts are extremely fragile for a week or two. Physical trauma can dislodge them and permanently damage the results of the surgery.
What To Do If You Have Any Problems After DHI Hair Transplant
In case a problem arises after the DHI transplant, you can immediately get in touch with our aftercare department.
You can avail of these services online, by call or by email.
Alternatives to DHI Hair Transplant
If you’re suffering from extensive baldness and need over 3,000 grafts, a traditional FUE surgery can achieve your desired outcome.
However, in the case of ineligibility for a hair transplant because of medical history or weak donor area, you can consider scalp micropigmentation (SMP).
It can also augment the results of your DHI transplant to achieve the appearance of high density.
In addition, you may discuss with your doctor the possibility of taking medication for permanent hair loss.
Other Procedures to Have with DHI Hair Transplant In Turkey
To improve the results of the DHI and recover quickly, you can get platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections right after the surgery and in the months following it. You can see the final results sooner with it because it stimulates hair growth.
This is something that patients usually get with their hair transplant Turkey as it can improve overall hair density.
FAQ
Can I get a DHI hair transplant without shaving my head?
You can get direct hair implantation without shaving the recipient area. The donor area will have to be shaved to extract the hair grafts successfully.
How effective is a DHI hair transplant?
No study has specifically measured the effectiveness of DHI transplants. However, since the time that the grafts spend out of the body is less, the follicles have greater survival rates.
Which parts of the DHI will be done by a doctor and which by a non-doctor?
The surgeon will use the Choi pen to insert the grafts in the balding area. However, technicians help with the loading of the grafts in the Choi pen to speed up the process.
Is DHI better than FUE?
One is not better than the other since DHI is a modification of FUE hair transplant. FUE is more suitable for candidates with extensive baldness, while DHI is better at achieving a high density when the recipient area is not that large. Patients needing hairline restoration are better suited for DHI, while FUE is recommended for the crown/vertex.
Is DHI more expensive than FUE?
Yes. It is because of the surgical equipment used. The Choi Pens are disposable, and the surgeon uses over one during the surgery.
Does DHI hair transplant work?
Like an FUE hair transplant, DHI hair transplants extract grafts from the scalp. However, it uses special Choi pens to implant those grafts. This works very well in the insertion of new hair, and they’re able to grow quite successfully as well.
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Is DHI hair transplant painful?
DHI hair transplant takes place under local anaesthesia so it’s not painful. However, once it wears off, you can feel some post-operative pain. It is, however, easily managed by painkillers.
Is DHI hair transplant permanent?
The results of a DHI hair transplant are permanent. The transplanted hair follicles are resistant to the effects of the hormone (DHT) that causes hair loss.
Who is my transplant surgeon, what are their qualifications and experience, and where can I verify this?
We will share the CVs and portfolios of the DHI surgeon with you, where you can learn more about their qualifications, training, and experience. You can verify their licensing in the online medical registers of the relevant bodies.
Is my clinic registered with a health care authority?
Every clinic in Turkey has the registration of the Ministry of Health, and in London, they all have the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) registration.
Does the doctor have insurance that covers DHI hair transplants?
Yes, the surgeon performing your DHI transplant will have insurance against malpractice.
Will follow-up checks for DHI be offered in the UK, and who will do them?
Yes, they are offered by hair transplant surgeons in our London clinic.
How long does DHI hair transplant last?
A DHI hair transplant should last you a lifetime since the procedure gives permanent results. Make sure to take care of your hair.
Reviewed and Approved by Dr. Hassan Soueid.
