DHI Hair Transplant in Turkey

DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) is a hair transplant technique in which each graft is loaded into a Choi implanter pen and placed into the scalp in a single motion, so the incision and the implantation happen at the same time. It gives the surgeon close control over the angle and depth of every hair, which is why DHI is used for hairlines, the crown and unshaven procedures. At our Istanbul clinic, DHI costs from €[X,XXX] (about £[X,XXX] or $[X,XXX]) as an all-inclusive package.

DHI Hair Transplant at a Glance

Sessions

1, or 2 consecutive days above [3,500] grafts

Procedure length

7 to 9 hours

Anaesthesia

Local

Shaving

Full, partial or none, depending on the area

Stay in Istanbul

3 nights

Back to desk work

3 to 5 days

Visible redness settles

7 to 14 days

Final result

12 to 18 months

What Is DHI and How Does It Work?

DHI is a variation of FUE. The grafts are extracted in exactly the same way; what changes is how they go back in. In standard FUE the surgeon first opens all the recipient incisions with a blade and the team places the grafts into them afterwards. In DHI there is no separate incision stage: the hollow needle of the Choi implanter creates the opening and deposits the graft in the same movement. The practical consequence is control. Because the surgeon sets the angle, direction and depth of each hair at the moment it is placed, DHI is particularly suited to areas where small errors are visible — the front edge of the hairline, the temples and the whorl at the crown.

Extraction

The donor area at the back and sides of the scalp is numbed with local anaesthetic. Individual follicular units are removed with a motorised punch of 0.6 to 1.0 mm. The Choi pen is not used for extraction — a common misconception.

Loading the implanter

Each graft is loaded by hand into a Choi implanter. Implanters come in needle diameters matched to the graft: finer needles for single-hair grafts at the hairline, wider ones for three- and four-hair grafts behind it. Several implanters are loaded in rotation so the surgeon places grafts continuously and each graft spends as little time outside the body as possible.

Implantation

The surgeon inserts the needle at the planned angle and depth, presses the plunger to release the graft, and withdraws. Because every opening is made by the needle carrying the graft, the recipient area has fewer and smaller wounds, and native hairs between the grafts are less likely to be damaged — the reason DHI can be done without shaving.

What Our Robotic Hair Transplant Patients Say

DHI Hair Transplant in Turkey: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DHI hair transplant?

DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) is a variation of FUE in which each graft is loaded into a Choi implanter pen and placed into the scalp in one motion, without a separate incision stage. It gives precise control over the angle and depth of each hair and allows unshaven procedures.

Is DHI better than FUE?

Neither is better overall. DHI gives more control per graft and suits hairlines, the crown and unshaven procedures. Sapphire FUE is faster and suits large areas. Many patients receive both in one session.

What is a Choi implanter?

A pen-shaped instrument with a hollow needle, developed in South Korea. A graft is loaded into the needle, the needle is inserted into the scalp at the planned angle, and a plunger releases the graft. Implanters are single-use and come in several needle diameters matched to graft size.

Does DHI need shaving?

Not always. The recipient area can often be left unshaven for procedures of up to around [2,500] grafts. The donor area is usually shaved in a narrow band that longer hair covers. Larger procedures generally require full shaving.

How many grafts can be placed with DHI in one day?

Typically [3,000 to 3,500]. DHI is slower than Sapphire FUE, so larger procedures are planned over two consecutive days or combined with Sapphire FUE for the mid-scalp.

Is DHI good for a widow's peak or a new hairline?

Yes. Hairline design, including temple points and a widow’s peak, is where DHI’s control over angle and depth matters most. The hairline should be designed for your age and facial proportions, not simply drawn as low as possible.

Is DHI suitable for curly or Afro-textured hair?

Often, yes. Curly and Afro-textured hair has a curved follicle below the skin, which makes extraction harder and depth control during implantation important. DHI gives that control, although extraction takes longer and graft counts per session may be lower.

Does DHI hurt?

The anaesthetic injections at the start are the only uncomfortable part. After that the scalp is numb. Most patients report tightness and tenderness for two to three days, managed with standard painkillers.

When will I see results after DHI?

New growth starts at months three to four. By months six to nine most patients see 50 to 70 per cent of the result. The final result appears between 12 and 18 months, with the crown usually last.

Is DHI permanent?

Yes. The transplanted follicles come from a donor area genetically resistant to pattern hair loss. Native hair that was not transplanted can continue to thin, which is why many patients continue medication after surgery.

How much does DHI cost in Turkey?

At our Istanbul clinic, from €[X,XXX] (about £[X,XXX] or $[X,XXX]) as an all-inclusive package covering the procedure, three nights’ hotel, transfers, medication and 12 months of follow-up. The price does not change with graft count.

Why is DHI more expensive than FUE?

Choi implanters are single-use, adding a consumable cost to every procedure, and DHI takes longer per graft, so it occupies more surgeon time. At our clinic the difference between the DHI and Sapphire FUE packages is €[XXX].

What is DHI Pro?

It is not a separate surgical technique. Some clinics use names such as DHI Pro or DHI Plus for a DHI procedure bundled with additional treatments, such as PRP or exosome sessions. Ask any clinic what the name includes, in writing, before comparing its price with a standard DHI package.

How long do I need to stay in Istanbul for DHI?

Three nights. You arrive the day before surgery, have the procedure on day one, return for the first wash on day two, and fly home on day three or four.

Who performs the implantation in DHI?

At our clinic, [the surgeon / describe the clinic’s actual model]. This matters more in DHI than in most techniques, because the angle and depth of each graft are set at the moment of implantation and cannot be corrected afterwards.

Written by: Ayşenur

Medically reviewed by: Ayşenur

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