Step 01
Consultation
The doctor examines how the thinning is distributed and the direction of your existing hair. Whether DHI is planned on its own or combined with another technique is decided at the examination.
Hair transplant technique
DHI Hair Transplant
A technique in which grafts are implanted directly with an implanter pen, without separately opened channels; often preferred for the hairline and thinning areas.
DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) is a technique in which grafts, once extracted from the donor area using FUE, are placed directly into the recipient area with a pen-shaped instrument called an implanter. The pen combines channel opening and graft placement in a single movement, and angle and depth can be adjusted for each graft. This can make planning easier at the hairline and in thinning areas where grafts are placed between existing hairs.
From consultation to month 12
The process, step by step
Step 02
Planning
The hairline is drawn and photographed. Grafts are sorted by number of hairs; single-hair grafts are planned for the front of the hairline and multi-hair grafts behind it.
Step 03
Procedure day
Grafts are extracted using FUE and loaded into implanter pens. The doctor and team implant each graft directly at the planned angle, direction and depth.
Step 04
The first 10 days
The check-up and first wash take place the following day. If grafts were placed between existing hairs, particular care should be taken with the washing instructions. The scabs usually come away within the first 10 days.
Step 05
12 months
The scabs come away in the first weeks; between months 1 and 3 some of the transplanted hairs may shed temporarily. New growth generally begins after month 3–4 and becomes noticeable around month 6; for most people the final appearance is assessed at around 12 months. Timings vary from person to person.
Explore the recovery timelineDHI Hair Transplant
Procedure day
- Transfer from the hotel and welcome
- Blood tests, consent and a talk with the doctor
- Drawing the hairline and planning graft distribution
- Local anaesthesia and graft extraction
- Lunch break
- Direct implantation with implanter pens
- Dressing and transfer to the hotel
Technical summary
- Anaesthesia
- Local anaesthesia
- Implantation
- Directly with an implanter pen; angle and depth adjusted
- Procedure time
- Approximately 7–9 hours, depending on graft count
- Shaving
- Partial or unshaven where suitable
- Time at the clinic
- Return to the hotel the same day
What you should know
- With DHI, the number of grafts that can be implanted in one session may be limited by the plan and the time available.
- The unshaven option is not suitable for every patient; hair length and the size of the area are decisive.
- Swelling may appear in the first few days after the procedure.
- It is advisable not to miss your follow-up consultations.
Comparison
FUE, sapphire FUE and DHI: where do they differ?
In all three techniques, grafts are extracted individually from the donor area. The difference lies in how the channels are opened in the recipient area and how the grafts are implanted.
| — | FUE | Sapphire FUE | DHI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graft extraction | One by one, with a micromotor and fine punch | Same as FUE | Same as FUE |
| Channel opening | In advance, with a steel blade or needle | In advance, with a sapphire blade | No separate channels; opened and implanted with an implanter pen |
| Implantation | With forceps into pre-opened channels | With forceps into pre-opened channels | Directly with the pen, with angle and depth adjusted |
| Often preferred for | Larger areas, a high graft requirement in one session | Larger areas, closely spaced channel planning | Hairline, thinning areas, unshaven options |
| Shaving | Usually required | Usually required | Partial or unshaven where suitable |
| Procedure time | 6–8 hours, depending on graft count | 6–8 hours, depending on graft count | 7–9 hours, depending on graft count |
This table is for general information. The doctor decides which technique to use after the examination; some plans combine techniques.
FAQ
Questions about this procedure
DHI or FUE?
This depends on the size of the area, how the thinning is distributed, donor capacity and your expectations. Some plans combine the two techniques. The doctor decides after the examination.
Is unshaven DHI possible?
It may be considered for small, thinning areas where suitable. Partial shaving of the donor area may still be needed for graft extraction.
Does DHI take longer?
Because each graft is loaded into the pen individually, the procedure may take a little longer for a similar number of grafts.
