DHI, short for direct hair implantation, is offered by almost every hair clinic in Istanbul, usually as the premium option. It uses a pen-like instrument to place grafts directly into the scalp without opening channels first. That makes it well suited to some situations and less suited to others. This guide walks through how a DHI day works, where it has a genuine advantage and what to watch out for.
The Choi implanter pen
The Choi pen was developed in South Korea. It has a hollow needle at the tip and a plunger. A technician loads a single graft into the needle, then the doctor or implanter inserts the needle into the scalp at the chosen angle and depth and presses the plunger, leaving the graft in place as the needle is withdrawn. Needles come in different diameters to match single, double and multi-hair grafts.
Because the incision and placement happen together, grafts can be put very close to existing hairs with less risk of cutting them. That is the main practical advantage of DHI.
What a DHI day in Istanbul looks like
- Morning consultation and hairline drawing. The doctor marks the hairline and the areas to be treated, and confirms the planned graft number. Blood tests are usually done on arrival.
- Donor preparation and extraction. The donor area is trimmed short and numbed. Grafts are extracted with a micro-punch, exactly as in FUE.
- Implantation with pens. The recipient area is numbed. Several pens are loaded continuously by the team while grafts are implanted one by one. With unshaven DHI, the recipient hair is left long and parted as the team works.
- Dressing and instructions. A bandage is placed on the donor area and you receive your medication and wash instructions. The first wash is usually the next day.
A DHI session usually takes most of the day. Because implantation is slower, many clinics plan around 2,000–3,000 grafts for DHI, compared with more for shaven FUE.
When DHI makes sense
- Adding density to thinning but not bald areas, where existing hairs need to be protected.
- Unshaven procedures for people who cannot have a visible shaved head at work. See our unshaven hair transplant guide.
- Hairline refinement where precise angles of single-hair grafts are important.
- Women, who often have diffuse thinning and want to keep their length. See female hair transplant.
Limitations to be aware of
- Fewer grafts per day than shaven FUE, so large bald areas may need two sessions or a combined approach.
- Higher price, because pens are consumables and the procedure needs more team time.
- The pen does not make the result natural by itself. The hairline design and implant angles depend on the person holding it.
- In some clinics, the doctor only draws the hairline while technicians do all implantation. Ask who does what.
Typical cost in Istanbul
DHI is usually priced a few hundred euros or more above the same clinic’s FUE package. Surgeon-led practices may price per graft. Packages normally include blood tests, medication, the first wash, hotel nights and transfers. See the cost guide for ranges and common extras.
Recovery after DHI
Recovery follows the same pattern as FUE. Redness can be slightly less visible in unshaven cases because existing hair covers the area, but crusts, shedding at weeks two to six and new growth from month three are the same. Details are in the recovery timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Is DHI the same as unshaven FUE?
Not exactly. Unshaven procedures can be done with DHI pens or with very fine FUE incisions. DHI is the more common way to do it.
Does DHI need fewer grafts?
No. The number of grafts depends on the area to be covered and the density wanted, not on the tool.
Can DHI and FUE be combined?
Yes. Some clinics use DHI for the front and FUE for the crown. Ask why they recommend this for your case and how many grafts go to each area.
This article is general information, not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.