DHI Hair Transplantation
Direct Hair Implantation or Choi Pen, is a technique used to directly implant the extracted hair grafts in the recipient area without needing for the step of forming the microchannels.
Recently, and specifically in the hair restoration and transplantation field, some claimed that DHI is a new advanced method for hair transplantation. The others claimed that there is no approved method called DHI for hair transplantation and it is a marketing trick. Therefore, it is not right to consider the DHI technique as an independent method, it is a part of the Hair Transplantation procedure.
With the DHI technique, as a result, it will not need for the step of microchannels formation or recipient site creation, because the extracted hair grafts will implant directly to the recipient site by a medical tool, contain a super fine injector called Choi pen or Choi implanter. So, in this case, creating the recipient site and transplanting the hair grafts will be a built-in step. This will reduce hair transplant procedure steps, because the steps “formation the microchannels” and “hair grafts placing” will not be exist any more.
However, the main use of DHI hair transplant technique is to increase the required density of transplanted hair grafts, because the superfine end of the injector (Choi pen) will help to provide the appropriate opportunity to transplant the required number of hair grafts within each square centimeter of the recipient area.
Advantages & Disadvantages of DHI Hair Transplantation
The advantages of using DHI Hair Transplantation technique will:
- The angle and direction of each hair graft can determine easily.
- Using the Choi pen will reduce bleeding while the formation of the microchannels, As a result, this will help to reduce the recovery period.
- The recipient area does not need to shave. And, there is no need to shorten the hair around the transplanted area. Therefore, it is more suitable for women.
- Hair grafts will implant directly to the recipient area of the scalp, As a result, reducing the remaining time for the hair grafts outside of the body. Therefore, the hair graft’s root will stay strong and healthy.
The disadvantages of using DHI Hair Transplantation technique are:
- The cost of a hair transplant procedure by the DHI technique is higher than other used techniques, due to using disposable Choi Pen.
- The density within one square centimeter of transplanted hair grafts containing double hair and more by DHI technique less than comparing with Sapphire technique.
- DHI hair transplant technique is useful for implanting hair graft containing a single hair, but it is not recommended for hair grafts containing double hair or more even when using a big size of the injector.
- The DHI hair transplant procedure must be carried out by an experienced doctor with a high training level to avoid harming the original hair in recipient area, and get the required natural final results.
That is why Dr. DEMIR always recommend having the hair transplantation procedure by a real experienced doctor, to avoid having undesired side effects and results.
Successful Pain Relief for DHI Hair Transplantation
Due to long experience, the Conscious Sedation is the pain relief methods that apply during hair transplant procedure by our anesthesiologist team. Therefore, this technique will help you to stay almost awake, reduce anxiety and discomfort. As a result, feeling relax (a sedative), and block pain (an anesthetic). Overall, it will give you a pain-free feeling. On the other hand, we apply it to increase the patient outcome during the hair transplant procedure.
Consultation Session for DHI Hair Transplantation
Usually, every single patient planning to have a hair transplant procedure, first must have a face to face consultation session with Dr. DEMIR. During the consultation session, the doctor will listen to patient concerns due to hair loss. And, will review the patient’s medical history. For example, if the patient had a hair transplant procedure before, or if the patient using some kind medicines, or if the patient had allergic to a specific medicine and many other issues related to the patient’s health. At the same time, the doctor will check:
- The hair graft nature in the donor area.
- The direction of growth for the original hair.
- The density of hair in the square centimeter.
- The future possibility for losing more original hair
All of these will help the doctor to determine the required number of hair grafts for hair transplant procedure, and to set up the patient’s post-operative treatment to prevent losing more hair, and recovery plan, as well, will help the doctor to re-design the right hairline for the natural final result.
Besides that, and during the consultation session, the doctor will make blood test for the patient to check Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. As well as, to check the level of vitamin D, vitamin B, zinc, iron, TSH, CBC. This will help to improve the recovery treatment plan for the patient.
For woman, there are another blood test required according to woman age and many other factors. You can find more details about the required blood test for man and woman in Patient Portal.
The patient will have the opportunity during the consultation session to ask Dr. Demir about the final results, recovery periods, best practice to follow after the procedure to have the final natural results, and any other questions related to the procedure.
Hair Densitometry & Decay ratio
During this stage of consultation session. Dr. Demir will examine the patient’s donor area scalp, by a digital Densitometer device. Thus, will determine the quality of individual hair graft unit, and the density of hair per square centimeter. Besides that, the doctor will be able to specify the degree of decay ratio of the patient’s hair. That is genetically sensitive to the effects of the hormone DiHydroTestosterone (DHT). As a result, shrinking over time and eventually causing baldness. Therefore, the decay ratio of hair can indicate future hair loss for the patient. Finally, hair Densitometry & decay ratio is important to determine the proper patient’s donor area.
Designing of Hairline & Treatment plan
During the consultation session. Dr. Demir will be able to have an idea and make a decision about the treatment plan and the final hair design. Therefore, the doctor will decide the best harmonizing distribution for the hair grafts that will be transplanting. As a result, to get the best final natural look. Besides that, the design of the hairline, and how to restore the crown shape. The final decision will be taken in collaboration with the patient’s real needs and requirements.
Steps of DHI Hair Transplant Procedure
Generally, all FUE hair transplant techniques share the same steps. Further, DHI hair transplantation is a minimally-invasive surgical operation. And, performed under conscious sedation / local anesthesia. Therefore, the standard session can last up to six hours or more depending on the number of hair grafts that will be implanting.
Hair Transplant Procedure divide into the following steps:
I. Pre-Procedure (pre-pro) preparations
Some preparations must be taken. Besides that, there are instructions have to follow in days and weeks before the hair transplant procedure. Such as, abstaining from alcoholic beverages before the procedure in three days. And, abstaining from aspirin and smoking for seven days prior to the hair transplantation date. Besides, avoiding caffeinated beverages on the day of the procedure. Further information and instructions are available in Patient Portal.
II. Procedure’s day Consultation Session
Furthermore, on the day of the hair transplant procedure, Dr. Demir will re-design the final hairline position. Similarly, as determined before in the first consultation session. Therefore, and during this session, the patient will have the chance to review the procedure steps again with the doctor. And, ask for any questions related to the procedure. Then, when the patient is ready, feeling comfortable and satisfied, the hair transplant procedure will begin.
III. Applying Conscious Sedation / Local Anesthesia
The patient will change his clothes, and the vital signs will be check. After that, he will be accompanied to the surgery room. The anesthesiologist team will start applying conscious sedation / local anesthesia. this will take up to 3 minutes. After that, the patient will feel ZERO pain but will stay aware of what is going around. Now, and after this point, the patient is ready for the next step.
IV. Hair Grafts Harvesting & implanting
The major step in DHI hair transplant procedure is harvesting the hair grafts (follicular units) from the donor area and implant it directly to the recipient area.
In this step, the hair follicular units will extract one-by-one. Therefore, the success of this step related by using the right needles diameter size of the medical micro-device. Which, depends on the length of hair follicular units, and the number of single hairs in each follicular unit. Besides that, choosing the right punch shape is important factors that affect directly on the success of the hair follicular extraction. Because the wrong punch will increase the risk of breaking and damaging the hair follicular units. Dr. Demir will determine the right needles diameter size. As well as, the right punch shape according to the patient’s hair checking results during the consultation session.
During this step, the extracted hair grafts will place one-by-one in the injector (Choi Pen). and will implant directly to the recipient area of the scalp. For that, it is a built-in step and the hair grafts will stay less time out of the body comparing with other hair transplant techniques.
The success of this step and the natural final results will depend on choosing the right size of the injector (Choi Pen) according to each hair graft nature (hair graft contain one single hair, or contain double or more hair). Choosing the right size will prevent breaking or cramming the hair graft in the Choi pen during the implanting.
V. Post-procedure (post-pro) Consultation & Recommendations
Ordinarily, after 48 hours of the hair transplant procedure. The patient will have the first post-pro hair washing under the supervision of Dr. Demir. During this stage, the doctor will explain the right practices that must be follow by the patient during having the hair wash (within the next 10 days after the procedure). Besides, the right practice to remove formed shells and drying the hair. Then, the patient will have a final consultation session. As a result, the doctor will explain the recovery periods and the expected time to get the final natural results.
Besides that, and according to the patient’s blood test results (that had done before the procedure), the doctor may prescribe some medicine or vitamins to use for a limited time to support the growth of the newly transplanted hair. Further, Dr. Demir will provide the patient with post-pro instructions and recommendations that must follow. Such as abstaining from alcohol for three days. And avoid smoking for fourteen days after the procedure. More importantly, is following the post-pro instructions to ensure optimal healing and growth of the newly transplanted hair.
VI. Post-Procedure Growth (Recovery) Periods
After the hair transplant procedure. As a result, the growth process will start. But, the actual time for complete recovery period is variable depending on many factors. Such as the patient’s body physiology, nutrition type, using medications and vitamins, living environment conditions, … etc. In general, the final result of the hair transplant procedure begins to appear between ten months to one year.
Generally, after the procedure. The transplanted hair grafts will begin shedding the hair they contained at the time of the transplant. However, the follicles remain. Due to being permanently rooted in the scalp after the operation in 10 days. As a result, start to produce new hairs in two to three months after the procedure.
Besides that, another physiological reaction will appear called “Shock loss”. However, this is a normal reaction response to scalp trauma. Therefore, existing non-transplanted hair will fall out in the vicinity of the transplanted hair. But, it does not cause any damage to the newly transplanted follicles. In addition, the existing hair will grow back again.
