DHI (Direct Hair Implantation)

DHI emerged as a branded technique in the mid-2010s, particularly popularised in the Turkish hair-transplant market. The Choi implanter offers theoretical advantages over traditional forceps placement: faster implantation, better preservation of graft handling, more precise control of angle and depth, and the ability to implant into existing hair without prior site-making. The trade-off is a steeper learning curve for the implanting technicians and higher consumables cost (each pen requires sterile cartridges).

DHI is typically priced 20-40% above FUE at the same clinic due to higher consumables cost and longer implantation time. Pricing models vary — some clinics charge per-graft, others per-session. Verify exactly which grafts are included, whether donor-area trichophytic closure (if any) is included, and whether post-operative medications (antibiotics, finasteride, minoxidil) are included.

Day 0: procedure completed in 6-9 hours under local anaesthesia. Bandaged donor area, antibiotic ointment. Patient may sleep semi-upright that night.

Days 1-7: peak swelling around forehead and eyelids (resolves by day 5-7). Saline-based gentle rinsing of recipient and donor areas from day 2-3. Avoid touching grafts. Sleep with head elevated for 3-5 nights.

Day 10-14: crusts separate naturally with continued gentle washing. Many patients return to social activity. Graft 'shock loss' begins around weeks 2-4 — transplanted hairs shed, leaving the follicles in place to grow new hairs later.

Month 1-3: dormant phase. The transplanted follicles remain in place but produce no visible hair.

Month 4-6: new growth begins. First hairs are typically fine and may be lighter in colour; they thicken over the following months.

Month 9-12: substantial growth visible. Most density at 12 months.

Month 18: final density and styling potential. Long-term care includes ongoing medical therapy (minoxidil, finasteride) to slow native hair progression.

DHI is one of the most-marketed hair-transplant techniques in the Turkish medical-tourism sector. The branding can obscure substantial variation between providers — some clinics performing 'DHI' use only one or two Choi pens for a portion of the session and a forceps for the rest, while others use Choi pens for the full implantation. International patients should specifically verify what the clinic provides, who actually performs the implantation, and the lead surgeon's involvement in the procedure.

In-country stay and recovery are identical to FUE — typically 3-5 days locally before flying. Post-operative crusting management is the same.