Hair transplant is becoming common for both male and female pattern hair loss currently. DHI and FUE are both equally effective hair transplant methods for treating female and male hair loss. In fact, DHI is a modification of the FUE. Both techniques are safe procedures and are very popular among females and males.
The key difference between DHI and FUE is their procedure. In FUE, each hair follicle is extracted manually from the donor area and surgically implanted by hand into the area of treatment on the scalp, while in DHI, a pen-like medical device is used to harvest hair follicles from the donor area on the scalp and then implant the hair follicles one by one into the treatment area on the scalp.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is DHI
3. What is FUE
4. Similarities – DHI and FUE
5. DHI vs FUE in Tabular Form
6. Summary – DHI vs FUE
7. FAQ – DHI and FUE
What is DHI?
DHI stands for direct hair implantation. It uses a pen-like medical device to harvest hair grafts or hair follicles from the donor area on the scalp and implant the grafts one by one into the treatment area on the scalp. This procedure uses a specialized tool known as the DHI implanter or Choi pen. Choi pen allows greater control over the depth, direction, as well as the angle of each implanted hair follicle.

Figure 01: DHI
DHI technique reduces scalp trauma. It also results in a denser and more natural hair growth pattern. However, DHI procedures can be more time-consuming than FUE due to the meticulous nature of the method.
What is FUE?
FUE stands for follicular unit extraction. During this procedure, each hair follicle is carefully extracted from the donor area and individually transplanted by hand to the treatment area, where it is precisely implanted into the scalp.
The FUE method of hair restoration was introduced before the DHI method. Though it causes minor scalp irritations, this procedure can be completed within a comparatively shorter period of time. Furthermore, in this procedure, hair typically begins growing back in about 3 to 4 months.
Similarities Between DHI and FUE
- DHI and FUE are both equally effective hair transplant methods for hair loss.
- DHI is a modified version of FUE.
- Both procedures should be performed by an experienced surgeon.
- Both procedures have pros and cons.
Difference Between DHI and FUE
Definition
- DHI is a hair transplant procedure that uses a Choi Implanter Pen to extract and implant follicles.
- FUE is a hair transplant procedure that manually extracts and implants each hair follicle.
Number of Steps
- DHI is a one-step procedure.
- FUE is a two-step procedure.
Benefits
- DHI results in a denser and more natural hair growth pattern with less scalp irritation.
- FUE procedure is completed within a shorter period of time and is more affordable.
Drawbacks
- DHI is a costly procedure and is time-consuming.
- FUE results in scalp irritation.
Cost
- DHI costs between $2,000 to $30,000 per session.
- FUE costs between $4,000 to $15,000 per session.
The following table summarizes the difference between DHI and FUE.
Summary – DHI vs FUE
There are three hair transplant methods that are commonly used by surgeons. These are FUE, DHI, and FUT. Therefore, DHI and FUE are equally effective hair transplant methods. However, DHI is a method that uses a Choi Implanter Pen to extract and implant follicles to the treatment area of the scalp while FUE is a method works by manually removing individual hair follicles and implanting them back to the treatment area of the scalp. This summarizes the difference between DHI and FUE.
FAQ: DHI and FUE
1. What is the importance of DHI?
- DHI technique has the highest graft survival rate when compared to any other technique. It has no pain, fewer scars, and maximum hair density.
2. What are the disadvantages of DHI?
- The complications involved in DHI may include bleeding, dizziness, pain, increased heart rate, inflammation of hair follicles, sparse appearance around the donor site, and scarring.
3. Does hair grow back after DHI?
- It will take usually around 8-12 months for people to see the visible sign of hair growth in the DHI hair implant treatment procedure. Some people start seeing slight hair growth on their scalp after 3-4 months after the initial procedure.
4. What are the disadvantages of the FUE technique?
- Disadvantages of FUE include lower maximum yield than in traditional micrografting. Grafts of lower quality do not grow as well. At each transplant session, new scarring occurs for this method.
Reference:
1. “Which Is the Best Hair Transplant Technique?” Beautiful Orlando Spa & Cosmetic Surgery.
Image Courtesy:
1. “DHI Hair Transplant” By Alielma2 – DHI Hair Transplant (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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