The Difference Between FUE And DHI Methods

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DHI and FUE: Hair Transplant Procedures Explained

If you are considering a hair transplant procedure, you have probably come across a series of different techniques during your research.

In this article, we will define and compare two of the most innovative and popular hair transplant procedures: FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and DHI (Direct Hair Implantation).

What is a FUE hair transplant?

FUE hair transplant surgery has gained popularity over the last decade. Unlike the classic technique, FUT (or Follicular Unit Transplantation), grafts are extracted and implanted one at a time, and no strip of skin is removed. As a consequence, FUE does not leave any visible scarring and ensures natural-looking results.

Procedure

During an FUE hair transplant, the surgeon extracts with a micro motor each follicle one at a time and places them into a storage solution. Once extraction is complete, the surgeon (Dr.Erkam Caymaz) will open the canals (with Sapphire Blade) for the grafts to be implanted.

Grafts are taken out of the solution and implanted into the recipient area using micro blades and fine needles.

The first results are visible after 6 months, while you can expect full hair regrowth around 12 months after the procedure.

What is DHI?

DHI stands for Direct Hair Implantation. This is a relatively new procedure and just like FUE, it leaves no visible scars and results look natural. While the graft extraction process is similar to FUE, there are a few differences worth noting.

Procedure

For the first step, hair follicles are extracted one by one using a specific tool with a diameter of 1mm or less. The hair follicles are then implanted directly into the recipient area using an implanter tool, also known as Choi Implanter Pen. With DHI, no holes or slits are created before the implantation.

DHI (Direct Hair Transplantation) is a technique in which the hair is planted with a special pen called the “Choi” after the hair is removed from the nape of the neck. It has many advantages and is one of the most popular methods in recent times. The DHI method does not require the channels to be opened beforehand in the area where the hair will be added. We put the special hair, which we call Choi, and the hair is planted without the need to open the duct. So the hair is left out for a shorter time. Because in other procedures the hair is kept in special water for 2-4 hours on the average, DHI method is added to the field where hair is taken directly from the hair without any waiting. Another factor is the lack of scarring and the rapid healing of your wounds.

The hairdo goes through only one process instead of two. When the ducts are opened first and then the seeds are planted, the seeds are opened at the same time when the channel is opened directly with the pen. Less hair treatment also plays a big role in the quick recovery of the wounds. Especially the front hairline provides a great advantage for frequent making and natural appearance.

DHI hair transplantation technique, different from FUE hair transplantation technique is slightly more appropriate in terms of opening and cultivating the hair follicles. Grafts (hair follicles) as in the classical FUE technique are generally taken from the root of the nape (very rarely it can be taken from beard or chest) and the hair is planted in the region. The technique of DHI hair transplantation is quite different from other techniques.

The special technique which is used in the DHI hair transplantation deals with more advanced technology than the techniques which are available nowadays. What this technique tends to bring firstly is to perform lifelong guaranteed hair transplantation without using a scalpel or suture and opening a hole in the scalp. By having the procedure done in one single session, it will be possible to have more natural-looking and very dense hair.

The main difference in the application of the technique is the usage of an improved pen in the last few years. Grafts are taken with a surgical pen which ranges between 0.6 mm and 1 mm and they are transported without cleaning the scalp after opening and cleaning. This technique, which requires more attention, precision, and effort than other methods, offers many advantages to hair transplant patients.

We Can See The Benefits Of DHI Hair Transplantation Techniques:

• Thanks to the fine-tipped structure of the hair sowing pen, hair transplantation can be performed much more frequently and much faster.
• The direction of hair growth with the hair sowing pen can be determined as desired. And it is much more possible to give the hair a more natural look.
• Not being necessary to open channels in the area where the hair will be planted, the existing hair follicles are not damaged in any way during transport.
• The fact that no holes are drilled in the area where hair transplantation is performed, there is a minimal risk of. In this way, the healing process becomes much shorter.
• The retention of the hair follicles sown is much higher.
• The newly planted hair follicles start to grow faster. This is because the hair follicles are planted without waiting for the cell division to resume.
• No sutures and scalpels are used, so there will not be any visible scars remaining after the recovery is complete.
• There is little damage to the donor area where the hair intake is performed. Therefore, the recovery in this region will be faster.
• The hairline and frequency on the forehead can be planned as they should be and a very natural look can be achieved.
• Local anesthesia is applied in DHI hair transplantation technique to eliminate the sensation of pain.
• The patient can go back to his daily routine after the surgery without any problem.

Recovery time is similar to FUE and full results are visible 12 months after the procedure.

What is the difference between DHI and FUE?

The main difference between FUE and DHI is in the way grafts are implanted into the recipient area.

While during FUE the surgeon manually implants the extracted grafts, with DHI a specific implanter tool (also known as Choi Implanter Pen) is used. Moreover, FUE requires canal opening prior to implantation. DHI allows the implantation to happen right after extraction, without the need to create holes or slits for the grafts to be implanted.

Follicular unit extraction is a method of collecting grafts, but in the process, micro motor tools were used to open the holes where the hair was placed into the canal and the name of the cultivation technique was known as FUE.

CANAL (FUE) & DHI DIFFERENCES

The topic we will talk about in a moment will be between the two implantation methods, the Canal Method (FUE) and the DHI method.

EXTRACTION: FUE technique is used in our clinic to collect grafts in two hair transplantation methods, and grafts are collected one by one through micromotors from the area where we call the donor area and there are no scars after the reception procedure.

In the canal (FUE) method, it is necessary to open the holes where these grafts are placed in the area to be implanted. For this very small cutters are used. In the area to be planted, these small cutters (slit) are drilled by the number of grafts planned to be planted. Then, grafts are inserted into these holes one by one with a tool called a penset. In order for the grafts to be placed in these holes, these micro-holes must be slightly larger than the grafts, which, if less so than DHI, will reduce the density and increase the minimal post-sowing trail.

The grafts collected in the DHI technique are placed in individual implanter tools (CHOI-PEN). Each graft is then directly implanted in the area. Through these pens used, the canals which are exactly the size of the graft will be formed and smaller canals will be opened. In this way;

Same Advantages of DHI and Sapphire FUE

1-More density (Both Techniques)

Since the opened canals will be fully grafted, there will be no loss of space and more frequent density can be done. DHI and Sapphire can be 80-90 grafts per square centimeter. Therefore, if the patients have a small amount of hair loss, the DHI method will be the best option.

2-Implanting on the hairy area (DHI Better)

Through the pens used, smaller holes can be opened and hair can be implanted easily without damaging natural hair.

3-Faster recovery (Both Techniques)

Healing is achieved in a shorter time because of the holes, which can not be larger than the grafts.

4-More natural planting (Both Techniques)

In this way, a more natural image can be obtained in the field where the planting is done since the direction of each piece of hair can be comfortably connected with the undiluted hair.

5-Probability of Minimum Scar (Both Techniques)
6-Back to work faster (Both Techniques)
7-Less bleeding - Less edema (DHI Better) and less scaling (Both Techniques).
8-The possibility of planting without cutting the hair. (DHI)
9-Same Result. (If the Surgeon is good)

Harvesting/Extraction from the donor area process is the same for DHI and Sapphire FUE Technique.
DHI is the best technique for the unshaving operation and eyebrow hair transplantation.
Donor areas will be shaved for both techniques! The implanting area can't be shaved for DHI (Better) and Sapphire Fue Technique.
If you need small grafts that are up to 2500-4000 you can choose the DHI technique. (Our doctor Erkam Caymaz Supervisor for DHI technique and he will implant the grafts for the frontal area)


There is no best technique, there is the best surgeon!

SUMMARY

The two methods have advantages over each other, and the surgeon must decide on the technique used on the patient and should suggest which one is better. When DHI and Sapphire FUE are done with the right doctors and the right team, they are not very different from each other in terms of natural looks except for their technical superiority. Decide with your doctor the technique that will be more appropriate for you and never forget that your technique should change according to the case.