What is DHI Hair Transplant? A Complete Overview

Hair transplantation has become an increasingly popular way to restore hair in areas affected by balding and thinning. While older hair transplant techniques often produced a pluggy, unnatural look, modern advancements have allowed for natural-looking outcomes. DHI hair transplant is one of the newest and most advanced methods currently used.

Below we will explain everything you need to know about DHI hair transplants including:

• What is DHI hair transplant?
• How does DHI work?
• What’s the process of getting a DHI transplant?
• Who is a good candidate for DHI?
• How is DHI different than other hair transplant techniques like FUE?
• What are the benefits and potential side effects of DHI?
• How much does DHI hair transplant cost?

What is DHI Hair Transplant?

DHI stands for “Direct Hair Implantation”. It is a modified version of the standard FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) hair transplant technique.

DHI was created and trademarked by the DHI Global Medical Group based in Greece. It follows a similar process to FUE transplants, but utilizes specialized tools allowing for direct implantation without creating recipient sites first.

Like FUE, DHI involves extracting hair follicles individually from the donor area of the scalp, most often the back of the head. These follicles are then transplanted directly into the balding or thinning areas in a single step.

The key difference between DHI and FUE is that channels don’t need to be manually created before implanting the grafts with DHI. This allows the angle and alignment of the hair to be better controlled.

How Does DHI Hair Transplant Work?

DHI hair transplantation involves several key steps:

• The patient’s scalp is shaved and numbed with local anesthesia.
• Individual hair follicular units are extracted directly from the donor area using a fine punch tool.
• The follicles are immediately loaded into an implanter pen.
• The surgeon creates tiny holes and implants the graft follicles in the same motion using the DHI implanter pen.
• Antibiotic cream and dressings are applied to the scalp post-procedure.

With DHI, there is no need to make incisions for the grafts prior to transplantation. This allows for greater precision in controlling the angle and direction of newly transplanted hair growth.

The patented DHI implanter pen also gives the surgeon sensitivity and tactile feedback during the implanting process for optimal placement and angling of the grafts.

What Happens During a DHI Hair Transplant Procedure?

The actual DHI hair transplant procedure is performed by a specialist surgeon and follows several steps:

• Your scalp will be shaved down in the area to be transplanted.
• Local anesthesia is administered to numb the scalp.
• Using a fine punch tool, individual hair follicle grafts are extracted from your donor area. This is usually the back and sides of the scalp.
• The grafts are immediately placed into the DHI implanter pen.
• The surgeon delicately implants each graft directly into the balding area using the pen in a single motion.
• Angling and placement are precisely controlled to mimic natural hair direction.
• Once the implantation is complete, antibiotic cream and dressings are applied.
• The procedure generally takes 6-8 hours depending on the number of grafts transplanted.
• Stitches or staples are not required.

Patients will begin to see new hair growth after about 2-3 months. Final results can be seen at around the 12 month mark.

Who is a Good Candidate For DHI Hair Transplant?

DHI hair transplantation is effective for both men and women suffering from pattern baldness and thinning. Good candidates for DHI include:

• Men or women over 25 years old with pattern hair loss.
• Those with lighter hair colors like blonde, red, or light brown.
• People with straight hair rather than very curly hair.
• Individuals with a sufficient donor hair supply in the back/sides of scalp.
• Patients with realistic expectations for hair transplant results.
• People able to budget appropriately for the procedure cost.

Younger patients under 25 are typically not candidates as their hair loss has not yet stabilized.

Those with very dark curly hair may not be ideal candidates as results will be less natural appearing. Your surgeon will determine if you are a suitable candidate during a consultation.

What’s the Difference Between DHI and FUE Hair Transplants?

Like FUE, DHI is a minimally invasive hair transplant method that extracts follicles individually from the scalp without removing a strip of skin. However, there are some key differences:

FUE Hair Transplant

• Channels are manually created before graft implantation
• Hair angles can be challenging to control
• Grafts are stored before being implanted
• Takes longer to implant grafts

DHI Hair Transplant

• Channels are created and grafts implanted in one motion
• Precise control over hair angles and direction
• Grafts implanted immediately after extraction
• Takes less time to implant grafts
• Utilizes patented DHI implanter pen for accuracy

While both techniques can achieve natural-looking results in trained hands, DHI offers surgeons greater precision and control. However, it does rely on the expertise of the surgeon.

What Are the Benefits of DHI Hair Transplantation?

There are many advantages associated with DHI hair transplant:

• Single-step implantation – Grafts are implanted directly without needing recipient sites created first.

• Optimal angling – The DHI implanter pen offers unparalleled control over the angle and direction of transplanted hairs.

• High density – Grafts can be placed closer together as there is no need for incisions. This allows greater density.

• Reduced graft injury – Grafts are implanted immediately after extraction reducing risk of damage.

• Decreased operating time – Eliminating the need to manually create recipient sites significantly shortens the length of the procedure.

• Natural results – Precisely controlling graft angle and alignment leads to the most natural looking outcomes.

For those seeking to restore lost hair with maximum density and naturalness, DHI provides an excellent solution.

What Are the Potential Side Effects or Risks?

As with any surgical procedure, DHI hair transplantation does carry some risks. However, significant complications are rare when performed by an experienced surgeon. Potential side effects include:

• Swelling, bruising, and mild pain which resolves within days.
• Temporary shock loss of native hair within 2 months of surgery. This grows back over several months.
• Minor scabbing around grafts during initial healing phase.
• Rare risk of infection around transplant sites if not properly cared for.
• Small visible scarring in the donor area where follicles are extracted.
• An unnatural appearance if poor technique is utilized.

Choosing a reputable surgeon with expertise in DHI hair transplantation minimizes risks of complications. Be sure to follow all post-procedure care instructions closely during recovery.

How Much Does DHI Hair Transplant Cost On Average?

The cost of DHI hair transplant can vary considerably based on your location, the surgeon you choose, and the total amount of grafts required. However, on average you can expect to pay:

• $4,000 to $15,000 USD for a complete DHI procedure in North America.
• $2,000 to $5,000 USD for a DHI transplant overseas.

Clinics in more affordable locations like Turkey or India help reduce the cost for many patients. However, be sure to vet the clinic thoroughly. In general, pricing is determined by the number of implanted grafts, with each graft costing between $3 to $10 on average.

Since DHI is not medically necessary, it is considered an elective cosmetic procedure. health insurance plans are unlikely to provide coverage. Financing options are available through many clinics to help offset the cost.

Is DHI Hair Transplant Right for Me?

If you are experiencing extensive hair thinning or loss and wish to restore your hair to its former fullness, DHI hair transplant may be an excellent solution. This state-of-the-art technique offers optimal precision and control during implantation leading to natural-looking results.

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate is to consult with a board-certified hair restoration surgeon in your area. They can examine your level of hair loss, scalp laxity, hair characteristics, and donor hair supply. This will allow them to make an accurate recommendation on whether DHI transplantation is appropriate for your individual needs and goals.

With realistic expectations and a skilled surgeon, DHI hair transplant can help you finally achieve the head of hair you’ve been dreaming of. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.