Hair transplant · Hairmed
DHI Hair Transplant: Direct Implantation with the Choï Pen
Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) is a refinement of the FUE method that changes how grafts are placed into the scalp. While extraction follows the same follicular unit extraction process as standard FUE, the implantation phase uses a specialised pen-like instrument to insert each graft directly.DHI employs the Choï implanter, a device developed in 1991 by Dr Choï in South Korea. This tool creates the recipient site and deposits the follicle in one movement, reducing the time each graft spends outside the body. Though the combined action might suggest a faster procedure, loading each graft into the implanter takes roughly as long as the time saved by merging the two steps. The technique works best with straight hair and suits patients seeking minimal handling of grafts during placement.
Before you travel
At a glance
- Duration
- Hair transplanted using DHI is permanent. The follicles are taken from areas genetically resistant to hair loss and retain that resistance after being moved. Once the grafts have taken, they grow for life and can be cut, washed and styled like any other hair. Session Length A DHI session lasts several hours. The exact duration depends on the number of grafts being placed and the area being covered. Each case varies, and your surgeon will give you a more precise estimate once the plan is finalised.
- Anaesthesia
- The procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout. Your surgeon will explain the method used and answer any questions you have before the session begins.
- Convalescence
- Recovery after DHI is quick. Most patients return to work and daily routines within a few days. Follow the aftercare instructions your surgeon provides to support healing and graft survival.
- Results
- DHI produces high survival rates when performed by an experienced team. Outcomes depend on graft quality, the precision of the technique, and how well you follow post-operative care. Your surgeon will discuss what to expect based on your individual case.
Le traitement
What this treatment involves
DHI is sometimes marketed as a recent innovation, but the Choï implanter itself dates back more than thirty years. What is relatively new is pairing this tool with follicular unit extraction, a combination that has been in use for over ten years.
What DHI Involves
DHI extracts individual follicles from the back and sides of the scalp, then implants them into thinning or bald zones using the Choï pen. The pen makes a slit and inserts the graft in a single action, eliminating the need to create all recipient sites before placement begins.
Extraction in DHI
Follicles are removed one by one from the donor zone in exactly the same way as in standard FUE. There is no difference in technique, scarring or healing between the two methods at this stage.
Implantation in DHI
The Choï implanter holds each graft at the tip of a hollow needle. When the surgeon presses the plunger, the needle pierces the scalp and deposits the follicle in one motion. This approach suits smaller sessions or patients who need density added to specific areas without shaving the entire head. For larger transplants requiring several thousand grafts, standard FUE remains the more practical choice. DHI offers a discreet option for those whose work or lifestyle makes a shaved head impractical.
The Choï Pen
The Choï implanter is a spring-loaded pen that guides the follicle into the scalp with minimal compression. By reducing the time the graft is held and manipulated, the tool aims to improve survival rates, though the benefit depends on the surgeon's skill and the overall protocol.
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