DHI vs FUE Hair Transplant: Pros and Cons of Each

If you are considering a hair transplant then you have probably heard of two surgery types – DHI and FUE. These are the preferred methods compared to the older (but still viable) FUT surgery and they have much in common in terms of the extraction method and recovery times.

But is DHI better than FUE or is there even a clear “winner”? I take a look at these questions below to give a concise summary of the DHI vs FUE debate. After reading this article, you should have a clear idea of which surgery is preferable, and the pros and cons of each method.

 

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What is DHI Hair Transplant?

DHI = Direct Hair Implantation

This is a newer surgery compared to FUE and it uses a revolutionary tool called the Choi implanter pen. Hair follicles are removed from the back of your scalp and placed in a preserving solution. The Choi implanter pen is then used to simultaneously create a small opening in the scalp, and insert the hair follicle. As a result, unlike FUE, no surgical channels are created in your scalp.

Advantages of DHI Hair Transplant

• Fast procedure: As the Choi implanter pen is used to create the opening and implant the follicles, it is generally a quicker procedure compared to FUE.
• Quick recovery times: DHI causes less scalp trauma and thus offers a fast recovery time. You can typically wash your hair after 24 hours and the potential swelling and pain won’t last long either.
• Natural end results: A DHI hair transplant in Turkey will give you incredibly natural results too and when the transplanted hair is fully grown you shouldn’t see any difference.
• No scarring: As the Choi implanter pen doesn’t create channels in your scalp there is no visible scarring either.

Disadvantages of DHI Hair Transplant

• Better for mild hair loss: DHI is not as suitable for aggressive cases of hair loss due to the limitation of how many grafts can be performed. The maximum is 4000, therefore, if more than this is needed, FUE is the better option.

What is FUE Hair Transplant?

FUE = Follicular Unit Extraction

This is a form of hair transplant surgery where hair follicles are extracted from the back of your scalp and then implanted into the areas of hair loss. For implanting, small channels are surgically opened in your scalp and the follicles are then carefully inserted. With success rates of over 90%, it is one of the most effective hair transplant methods available.

Advantages of FUE Hair Transplant

• High success rate: Like DHI, the FUE hair transplant procedure also has a high success rate of 90% – often 95% or more with a skilled surgeon.
• Fast recovery times: The recovery times are similarly quick too and you could realistically be back at work within 3 days if you are not customer or client-facing. The swelling, soreness, and any scabbing will quickly disappear too.
• Can be used for other facial hair too: Aside from head hair, FUE surgeries can be used for beards, sideburns, and eyebrows too.

Disadvantages of FUE Hair Transplant

• Reliant on surgeon skill: The main downside is that there is a larger element of skill involved in FUE surgeries in the DHI vs FUE debate. This means that a low-skilled surgeon can actually lower the success rate percentage to potentially 60%.
• Small scarring can occur: Due to the opening of channels in your scalp, FUE hair transplant surgery does leave small white scars too. These are barely noticeable however and once your hair has grown back, they are virtually invisible.

DHI vs. FUE: Which Should You Choose?

• In the DHI vs FUE argument, both are perfectly viable hair transplant solutions. Generally, it is advised that DHI surgeries are better suited for men under the age of 35 due to the higher success rates.
• If you are concerned about scarring, DHI is also the better choice as the Choi implanter does not leave any scars whereas the channels created during FUE can leave small circular scarring (that is still barely noticeable).
• The main downfall where FUE is better is if you have extensive hair loss and you need more than 4000 grafts to correct your problem. FUE surgeries can involve more than 4000 grafts whereas DHI cannot.

Read More: FUE vs. FUT: Differences and Benefits of Each

Both DHI and FUE are Viable Hair Transplant Solutions

When looking at DHI vs FUE, the reality is that both are excellent hair transplant methods and can be a permanent solution for your hair loss. DHI is better suited for people suffering from hair loss under the age of 35, while FUE can generally take over when you get past this age. Both have a success rate of over 90%, fast recovery times, and a minimum visible impact on your existing hair once the recovery is complete.

Read Next: What is DHI Hair Transplant and How Does it Differ from Other Techniques?