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There are two main hair transplant methods that are widely used in modern clinics: the FUE method, which requires the surgeon to make tiny incisions in the scalp, and the DHI method, which involves using specialized implanter tools. The latter is essentially an evolution of the former, and both start the same way: by extracting grafts from the donor area using micro punches.
Both of these techniques have high success rates, though, and the choice will come down to your budget and a few preferences.
What is a FUE Hair Transplant?
Once they enter the clinic, the patient is first examined closely, and the doctor designs a new hairline and determines the number of grafts needed for the best results. The patient will then receive an injection containing a local anaesthetic to numb the scalp.
Next, each individual hair follicle is extracted and placed in a special solution to preserve it until it’s time for the implantation. The surgeon then moves on to the next stage – creating microscopic incisions in the recipient area using a steel or sapphire blade. They need to find the proper depth and angle, and will make up to 5,000 or 6,000 incisions in total.
The last part involves carefully positioning singular grafts using forceps. If done correctly, the patient should heal up within 4–5 days, and the scabs will fall off within two weeks.
What is a DHI Hair Transplant?
Much like with the FUE procedure, the doctor will first administer a local anesthetic to the patient and then begin extracting grafts from the back of the head. However, that’s when things take a different turn, and the donor hair is loaded into Choi Pens, which allows surgeons to puncture the scalp and position the follicles simultaneously.
This way of hair implantation leads to minimal scarring, as the hollow needle creates less tissue damage than even the special sapphire blades used to make incisions for FUE. For this reason, the recovery time is also slightly shorter, 2–3 days, and the scabs should fall off in under 10 days.
DHI vs FUE: Key Differences
The most obvious difference is the use of specialized tools with the DHI method, which reduces the time between extraction and implantation. While in FUE, hair follicles from the donor area must be preserved in a solution for hours on end; the Choi Pens can be loaded up and put to use much more quickly. That means that there is less time for something to go wrong with the grafts, so the survival rates are slightly higher with DHI.
The implanter pens also allow for the donor follicles to be placed closer together, which leads to greater hair density once the new hair has grown out. However, the Sapphire FUE method addresses some of the shortcomings of the standard procedure, while still being faster than DHI.
Results and Success Rates
When performed by skilled surgeons, both FUE and DHI have an excellent success rate of around 95–98%, and lead to full hair restoration.
When you look at hair transplant before & after pictures, you will notice natural looking results with either method, though DHI can give a fuller, denser look, and offers higher graft survival rates in theory. However, in practice, a reputable clinic should have no issue keeping most of the grafts in good condition when using the FUE method.
How the Two Compare
We’ve provided a comparison table with all the advantages and potential drawbacks of the FUE and DHI hair transplant procedures to help you decide which one suits you better.
Method | FUE | DHI |
Pros | Proven results, lower cost, more grafts per session | Higher precision, denser placement, no visible scarring, |
Cons | Graft handling can reduce survival rates, and minor dot scars | More expensive, longer procedure, limited availability |
Which One is Better for You?
You’ll need to keep in mind all the key information we’ve covered and consult the table above to get an idea of which option is right for you. Think about your budget, the overall look you want to achieve, the extent of your hair loss, and how long you are willing to sit at the clinic.
For example, DHI works great for slightly receded hairlines and light thinning, as it adds plenty of volume but lasts quite long. However, if the bald area is quite large, from just above the forehead all the way to the back of the head, then FUE is a better choice.
These are all important points, so be sure you weigh all the upsides and downsides of each method before you get a hair transplant in Turkey.
FAQs
Is DHI more painful than FUE?
For both procedures, the doctor will first inject a local anaesthetic into the scalp, so the patient shouldn’t feel much more than slight discomfort. However, the recovery period is a couple of days longer for FUE hair transplant surgery, so you will experience less overall post-op swelling and pain with DHI.
Do these operations leave scars?
As the surgeon first has to make thousands of incisions, there will be some tiny ring-like white scars around the base of the hair with FUE. It’s easy enough to hide these with even a few millimeters of hair, and they are only noticeable under close inspection. With DHI, there will be barely perceptible white dots.
Which method is more expensive?
Since it requires specialized equipment and more skill to handle correctly, as well as lasting significantly longer, DHI is also the costlier option. It all depends on the number of grafts, but the average FUE surgery is generally around $1000 less in most clinics.
Which technique provides more natural-looking results?
When we’re talking about the final result from a DHI vs FUE hair transplant, you can expect a better-defined hairline, with an overall denser look. As this technique also allows the surgeon to more precisely match the growth angle of the surrounding hair, the final style can end up looking a bit more natural than with FUE.
