Hair transplant
DHI Hair Transplant
Direct Hair Implantation with the Choi pen — extreme precision over angle and depth, ideal for hairline refinement and unshaven cases.
Session length
6–10 hours
Grafts per session
1,500 – 3,500
Recovery (visible)
7–10 days
Final result
12–18 months
Shaving required
No (partial-shave option)
Donor scar
Tiny dot scars only
DHI — Direct Hair Implantation — replaces the FUE two-step "channel + place" workflow with a single tool: the Choi implanter pen. Each graft is loaded into the pen and implanted directly in one motion, removing the time gap between extraction and implantation.
The result is exceptional precision over angle, depth and direction — exactly what makes DHI the technique of choice for hairline refinement, women's transplants, and any case where the donor area cannot be fully shaved.
How DHI Differs From FUE
In FUE the recipient site is opened first (channels are made), then grafts are placed into the pre-made channels. In DHI the channel and the placement happen in a single motion through the implanter pen. There is no holding solution waiting interval — the graft goes from extraction tweezer to scalp in seconds.
- Less time out of body — better graft survival in theory
- Greater control over angle and depth (set by the pen)
- Tighter possible density (no surrounding "wound" channel)
- Slower per-graft pace — fewer grafts per session
- No need to fully shave donor area in many cases
When DHI Is the Better Choice
DHI shines in three specific use cases:
- Hairline refinement — the very front line where every angle matters
- Women patients who cannot shave the recipient area
- Existing-hair density work where surrounding native hair must be preserved
When FUE Is the Better Choice
For very large session sizes (4,500+ grafts), FUE is usually faster and equally effective. The implanter-pen pace adds time per graft — meaningful when you are placing thousands of them. We will recommend FUE over DHI when the case profile favours it; we do not push every patient toward the technique that sounds "fanciest."
The Recovery Difference
DHI patients often see slightly faster crusting resolution — small recipient channels mean smaller crusts. The shock-loss and regrowth timeline is the same as FUE: hairs shed at week 2–4, regrowth begins at month 3, final density at 12–18 months.
Suitability
Is this the right procedure for you?
Best for
- Hairline-only refinement
- Women's hair transplant (unshaven option)
- Density work between existing hairs
- Patients who cannot afford a fully-shaved look during recovery
- Eyebrow and beard transplants
Not the right fit when
- Very large session sizes (>4,500 grafts) — FUE is more efficient
- Patients with very limited donor density
- Active alopecia of any type until stable
The package
What is included
The figure you sign at intake covers everything below. No itemised invoices, no surprise add-ons.
Frequently asked
Honest answers
Is DHI better than FUE?
For specific cases — yes. For large sessions and full Norwood VI restorations — usually not. The right answer depends on your goals, donor capacity and lifestyle constraints. At intake we will recommend the technique that produces the best outcome for your specific case, not the one with the most marketing.
Do I need to shave my head for DHI?
Not always. The donor area still needs to be trimmed short for graft extraction, but in many DHI cases the recipient area can stay unshaven — the implanter pen places grafts between existing hairs without disturbing them. This is one of the main reasons women choose DHI.
Is graft survival higher with DHI?
In theory yes, because grafts spend less time outside the body. In practice the difference is small (a few percentage points) when both techniques are performed by an experienced team. The bigger drivers of survival are surgeon skill, holding solution quality, and team experience — not the technique label.
Continue reading
Related guides
Start with a free intake.
No cost. No obligation. We will tell you honestly if surgery is the right fit — or if a non-surgical plan would serve you better.