DHI hair transplant in Turkey using the Choi pen

What is a DHI hair transplant?

DHI is the acronym of “Direct Hair Implantation”. A DHI hair transplant with the ’Choi Pen’ is a variation of the FUE hair transplant used in Turkey, (the Choi Pen is a special implanting tool.

Traditionally extracting follicles and implanting them was done using simple manual tools. Later on, the procedure was accelerated by introducing a machine known as “micro motor“, which allowed doctors to transplant more follicles by improving the extraction process, but had many disadvantages. Therefore, currently a new technique has been introduced using the Choi Pen.

What is a ‘Choi Pen’, and how does it work?

The idea of the Choi pen originated first at the Kyungpook National University in Korea; the idea behind this technique is simple: to combine processes, making channel incision dots in the recipient area and implanting the extracted follicles at the same time. A Choi implanter is a pen-like device with a hollow needle at the tip of it, connected with a tube and a plunger.

During a hair transplant using a Choi Pen, the doctor loads the follicles extracted from the donor region into the pen; the follicles are put in gently, using tweezers, inside the hollow needle (at the end of the pen). The pen is used to at an appropriate angle into the scalp and implants the follicle through pressing down the plunger.

This process is then repeated to implant one follicle at a time. During a typical transplant procedure, the doctor and the medical team working with him use about 6 Choi pens alternately to get the best result in a timely manner. Each of these implanters is equipped with various sizes of needles to fit single, double and triple hair follicle units.

Hair transplant with FUE vs DHI:

The biggest difference in the DHI hair transplant method is the implantation process. In the DHI method, the opening of new places for hair and the process of implanting grafts takes place at the same time. Therefore, this method is ideal for people who want to change the density of their existing hair. In addition, this method involves shaving only the donor area, so it can represent a better option for people with long hair or women.

Which is better, the DHI or FUE method? Well, using a implanter for a hair transplant means that there would be no need to open channel incisions in the recipient area. The medical team previously needed to create tiny circular channel incisions in the head scalp and implant the follicles inside of them; but the doctor can now inject the follicles directly into the recipient area without the need for the incisions, reducing trauma and bleeding.

As a result, doctors can now get a higher rate of healthy follicles that stay viable and produce healthy hair later on. In addition, the reduction in trauma results in faster healing for patients. There is also significant evidence of better aesthetic results, as follicles can be transplanted more accurately.

So, in order to properly answer the question “What is the difference between FUE and DHI hair transplant?”, below is a comparison between using the traditional hair transplant extraction method, and a hair transplant using Choi pens for the extraction process.

What are the stages of the procedure?

The beginning of the procedure is the same for both techniques. At the very beginning, local anaesthesia is used. It is the least comfortable part of the whole procedure, but it takes literally just a few minutes. After the anaesthesia, hair follicles are collected. Hair follicles (or grafts) are limited: therefore, the skills and experience of the team performing the operation are very important, specially in young patients to avoid damaging existing hair.

The donor area is usually the back and the sides of your head. However, contrary to the traditional FUE technique, in the DHI method only the area where the hair will be collected needs to be shaved. Then, once the grafts have been extracted, it’s time to go back to the area where follicles will be implanted.

The next stage is different from the FUE technique. In FUE, incisions for new bulbs are opened with sapphire blades, and once they are all opened then the implantation process starts. In the DHI method the opening of new channels and the hair transplantation takes place at the same time, thanks to the use of a special instrument known as a Choi pen.

Shaping the new hairline

The shape of the new hairline is selected individually: in this way, patients have the guarantee that it will be perfectly suited to their face, and that their new hair will have a natural look.

During the consultation process before surgery, a hairline recommended by our specialists is drawn, and possible options are demonstrated. Then, you wil make a decision about the area of ​​the transplant and the height of the first hairline.

When determining the area for a ​​hair transplantation, the position of the forehead muscles, the size of both the donor and the transplanted areas, as well as the type of hair, are taken into consideration by the doctor to provide you with the best result and a natural look for your new hair.

Why is this new technique better to increase hair density?

Using the Choi pen has also a major advantage in increasing hair density, which is made quite easy by implanting the follicles between the existing hairs. Many patients wanting a hair transplant as a hair loss treatment abandon the idea because their hair need to be completely trimmed off before starting the hair transplant. This is necessary if using a micro motor to create the channel incisions before the implantation of the follicles.

However, when using a Choi pen the existing hair in the recipient areas no longer needs to be shaved. Choi implanters can be used to inject the follicles between any existing hairs easily. This method of transplant has another major advantage: when follicles are re-planted between the existing hairs, the doctor can clearly see the natural angle of the hair, and therefore he/she can perfectly position each follicle to match the existing hair.

These unique advantages of a transplant using a Choi implanter provide exceptional benefit for beard and eyebrows transplant, too, as this technique gives the patient better aesthetic results in terms of density and appearance. But the most important thing is that it guarantees that there will be no scars on the face, since no incisions are created in the procedure. 

Main advantages of the DHI (Direct Hair Implantation)

There are many advantages of using the DHI technique:

• Getting a higher rate of viable healthy follicles.
• Decreased bleeding during creation of the recipient area.
• Decreased the risk of an infection.
• Reducing traumaduring follicle transfer, and causing less damage to the blood supply to the implanted area.
• Faster recovery after the hair transplant.
• Reduced duration of the procedure (with a medical team experienced in the Choi pens technique), as creating the incisions and implanting the follicles are combined in one step.

Does the DHI hair transplant have any side effects or disadvantages?

According to the medical team at Clinicana, “there are no advantages or disadvantages; it’s all about the tools that doctors use to carry out the hair transplant procedure. If you’re good at using these tools, it will reflect on the procedure you’re carrying out. Choi pen, Neograft, Artas and son on… all those techniques are just tools, you don’t have to use any of these tools to get great results. It is possible to use all these techniques and get bad results”.

The only disadvantages of this method are:

• The doctors and the medical team need to undergo a longer training period to master working with this technique.
• The medical team should consist of six people at least for each procedure.
• The procedure may take a longer time if the team is unfamiliar with this method.
• The cost of a DHI hair transplant is generally bigger than that of the conventional extraction method, due to the cost of the Choi implanters.
• This technique requires more accuracy and attention during the procedure.

Is this new method suitable for all patients?

According to hair transplant experts, not all people are ideal candidates for a hair transplant using Choi pens during the extraction stage. After the creation of this method in the Kyungpook National University in Korea, it began producing good results in Asian people with hair loss, and then became a popular method in Asian countries.

However, although hair transplants using Choi implanters have shown good results in Asian people, doctors have noticed less success in other races. Experts have studied this phenomenon and reached the conclusion that Asian people’s hair in general is distinguished by thick, straight hair, unlike the more curly hair with a thinner diameter in other races which means it can’t be loaded properly into the needle of a Choi pen and implanted in the scalp.

This may lead to an inappropriate bend in the follicle, incorrect implant placement, and excessive trauma for the follicles. Therefore, the Choi pen method is not considered appropriate for all patients.

Why is a DHI transplant more suitable for women?

Many patients coming to Clinicana for a hair transplant are in fact women. Hair loss is a big problem for both women and men; however, in the case of women this problem is much bigger. In men, hair loss is mainly caused by a genetic condition in the family, but when hair loss occurs in women, it is usually a sign of a health problem. Therefore, women should react at the slightest signs, because the faster reaction, the greater potential to save existing hair.

Hair loss in women is mainly caused by hormonal disorders and pregnancy, and it is also related to breastfeeding. In addition, stress, general lifestyle or experiencing a strong emotional shock are very important factors that may trigger hair loss. Diseases, taking certain medications, and general environmental factors may also provoke hair loss. Genetics also affects hair loss in women, but not as much as for men.

The DHI technique is very suitable both for women and for men with longer hair. When using this method, the donor area must be shaved; but as we explained before, contrary to the conventional FUE technique, thanks to the use of the Choi pen we can perform a hair transplant without completely shaving the head, which is a fairly important factor that can help many women to make the decision in getting different types of hair transplant.

What is the cost of a DHI hair transplant in Turkey

How much does a DHI hair transplant cost? As we explained before, the cost of a DHI hair transplant is bigger when compared with the cost of a hair transplant using the conventional FUE method. It depends on many factors, but the cost of a DHI hair transplantation may be about 30% higher compared to conventional FUE surgery.

There are a number of reasons for this, including the need to use Choi implanters (which are expensive) or the necessity of a bigger medical team (at least 6 people) that have to have specialized in using this technique as well as the Choi pens. Besides, a DHI hair transplant requires more precision and attention than a conventional operation.

However, it is important to underline that the treatment cost will be determined individually and according to factors that differ in each patient, including the number of grafts to be transplanted, the characteristics of the donor hair, and the hair loss condition of the patient.

Why get a DHI hair transplant in Turkey?

It is important to realise that it’s the doctor, not the tools used, that determines the results of any hair transplant. Even the most developed tools can lead to poor results when used by unqualified doctors. Choi pens may produce good results when they’re used by a skilled doctor well-trained in the use of this method.

Before taking a decision to undergo a hair transplant using a Choi implanter pen, patients should know that this methods has many advantages but also disadvantages, and that not all people are good candidates for a transplant using this method (especially those of non-Asian descent). 

Your doctor will assess which method is the best to perform your hair surgery. Turkey is famous all over the world as one of the main destinations for medical tourism, due to the use of the latest techniques and because of having experienced and skilled professionals. Much more affordable prices and additional costs are also a good reason to choose Turkey! So, if you are thinking of a DHI hair transplant in Turkey, we recommend you to choose the best clinic and the best medical staff. At Clinicana, we perform not only head hair transplants, but we also specialize in eyebrow, beard and moustache transplants. You can contact us for a free consultation with no obligations: we will be glad to discuss and analyse your hair problems and give you the best solution to solve your hair problems once and for all.