DHI Hair Transplant
Direct Hair Implantation uses a Choi implanter pen that opens the channel and places the graft in a single movement. Grafts spend less time outside the body, and because no pre-made channels are needed the surgeon can thread new hairs between existing ones. That combination makes DHI the technique of choice for hairlines, for adding density without shaving, and for most women.
DHI is the right choice when
- You are rebuilding a hairline and want maximum precision at the front
- You are adding density between hair that is still there
- You cannot shave your head for work or personal reasons
- You are a woman — unshaven DHI is almost always the appropriate route
Consider another technique when
- You need 3,500+ grafts in one session — FUE moves more, faster
- Budget is the deciding factor — DHI costs more per graft
- The whole scalp needs coverage rather than the front third
- You want the shortest possible time in the chair
The procedure, step by step
- 01
Design and consent
Hairline drawn with you standing, in daylight, in front of a mirror. On unshaven cases the surgeon also plans around your existing hair.
- 02
Donor trim and anaesthetic
Only the donor strip is trimmed on an unshaven case — long hair above covers it completely within days.
- 03
Extraction
Follicular units are harvested with a micro-punch and sorted by the number of hairs each unit contains.
- 04
Loading the implanter
Each graft is loaded into a Choi pen. Single-hair units are reserved for the front row, two and three-hair units for behind it.
- 05
Direct implantation
The pen punctures and places in one action, so the surgeon controls angle, depth and direction graft by graft as they go.
- 06
Dressing and instruction
Donor dressed, medication issued, washing technique taught. First medicated wash performed at the clinic two days later.