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, for a DHI hair transplant, the donor area will still be shaved because the grafts have to be extracted.
How Much Does A DHI Hair Transplant In Turkey Cost?
A DHI hair transplant in Turkey costs around £1,750 (~2200 USD) on average.
Keep in mind that this DHI hair transplant in Turkey price may include:
- Surgery
- PRP in London or Istanbul
- Anaesthesia
- Medications
- Hotel accommodation
- Transfers
- Personal host
- 12-month aftercare
It usually doesn’t vary by the number of grafts you need. Patients are offered the maximum number of grafts in their treatment plans for the same DHI hair transplant cost in Turkey.
Still, this surgery is priced higher than a traditional FUE. That’s because of the multiple disposable Choi pens used during surgery, which increases the DHI hair transplant in Turkey’s cost.
Even so, the DHI hair transplant price in Turkey is much lower. Here’s how it compares with other countries:
| Country | DHI Cost |
| Turkey | £1,750 |
| 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 A DHI Hair Transplant?
Usually, men and women, above the age of 25, with pattern baldness get a DHI hair transplant.
Since the surgeon can implant more grafts per cm2 (70-80) using this technique, the patient can achieve a higher density with it if that’s what they’re looking for.
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 preparing a treatment plan, the surgeon considers the colour and texture of the patient’s skin/hair along with the hair type.
What Are The Disadvantages Of DHI?
One of the main limitations of direct hair implantation surgery is that it’s only suitable for those who need up to 3,000 grafts.
Therefore, those who have a significantly larger balding area(s) might not be able to have this surgery.
Other than that, a DHI hair transplant, like other surgical interventions, carries certain risks and can cause some temporary side effects as well. Make sure to discuss these both with your surgeon.
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 very effective in ensuring the accurate and precise placement of grafts, owing to the handle of the pen.
It is also 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 help you get better coverage.
Am I Suitable For A Hair Transplant?
To be considered a suitable candidate for a hair transplant, it’s important that you have:
- Strong donor area – Hair from the back/sides is used for transplantation. Without it, you might be unsuitable for surgery.
- No diffuse hair loss – If you have hair loss all over the scalp, you won’t have a donor area for extraction.
- Stable hair loss pattern – If you’re too young, your hair loss pattern might not yet be stable enough to demarcate donor and bald areas.
- Good health – You need to be in good health both physically and psychologically for the surgery.
- Realistic expectations – In hair transplants, hair is redistributed, not reversed, so you should have realistic expectations.
It’s also important to keep in mind that hair transplants are for permanent hair loss, which is not reversible. There are other things your surgeon might check to determine your suitability.
What To Think About Before You Have DHI Hair Transplant In Turkey
To make the right decision when choosing your DHI hair transplant clinic in Turkey 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 hair transplant DHIs in Turkey 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 and check out the DHI hair transplant in Turkey reviews. There are plenty of forums and independent third-party review sites where you can find real reviews on Turkey DHI hair transplants.
You may also request a meetup with a previous patient of Longevita who had direct hair implantation. These things may help you find the best DHI hair transplant clinic in Turkey.
Turkey DHI hair transplant cost shouldn’t be your only deciding factor as the procedure and aftercare are very important for the success of this surgery.
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 vitamins 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.
How Is The DHI Hair Transplant Performed?
DHI hair transplants in Turkey are performed using the FUE technique in which hair grafts are extracted with a motorised punch tool. However, the implantation of the grafts is done through special Choi pens.
It uses multiple Choi pens that are first loaded with grafts and are then used to make incisions and place the grafts in the recipient areas. In a traditional FUE, the incisions are first made separately, and the grafts are placed into them afterwards.
DHI Hair Transplant Stages
Following your face-to-face consultation, your Turkey hair transplant with DHI will take place in the following stages:
- New hairline drawing – The shape of your new hairline will be drawn out.
- Shaving – Only the back and sides of the head (donor areas) are shaved. Since DHI is done when less than 3,000 grafts are needed, your entire head doesn’t need to be shaved. Recipient areas will remain unshaven.
- Anaesthesia – Local anaesthesia will be administered so you won’t feel pain during the surgery.
- Graft extraction – A motorised punch tool (0.7-1mm in diameter) extracts individual hair grafts from the donor areas.
- Graft implantation – Grafts are loaded into the hollow needle of the Choi pen using forceps. The needle of the Choi pen comes in various diameters (0.6-1.2mm) to ensure the accommodation of different follicular units. The surgeon makes the incisions and places the grafts in the scalp simultaneously using these pens.
DHI Choi pen hair transplant can allow 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. You will leave with bandages on your donor area.
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Recovery And Results Of DHI Hair Transplant
You’ll get discharged from the clinic on the day of the DHI Turkey hair transplant 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 DHI hair transplant 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.
DHI hair transplant aftercare can be very important in ensuring the success of the surgery.
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. So, 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 your results.
These are the ways in which your hair transplant can go wrong.
What To Do If You Have Any Problems After DHI Hair Transplant
In case a problem arises after the hair transplant in Turkey with DHI, 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 a 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 A Turkey DHI Hair Transplant
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 in 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(s). 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 CV and portfolio 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 healthcare authority?
Your DHI hair transplant in Istanbul will take place at a clinic registered with the Ministry of Health.
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?
Yes, they are offered in the 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 good care of your hair.
Will my hair transplanted with the DHI method fall out?
Hair transplanted with the DHI method can temporarily fall out due to shock loss (telogen effluvium) after the surgery. The roots of the follicles, however, should remain intact permanently.
When will I start to see the results of DHI hair transplantation?
You should start to see your hair grow 3-4 months after the surgery, but you’ll have to wait for 1-1.5 years for all your hair to grow out.
Reviewed and Approved by Trichologist Yaprak Yazan
