8 minutes
Hair transplants are an excellent option to solve baldness problems in both men and women. Two of the most used techniques are DHI and FUE. What are they and how are they different?
Hair transplants are the order of the day in the world. More and more people submit to them because have proven to be an effective and durable measure to solve baldness problems.
Currently, the most popular hair transplant methods are DHI and FUE. Both originate in Turkey and each has its own benefits and drawbacks.
The FUE technique is the most traditional, while IHL is more recent. The indicated thing is to consult with a professional to determine which is the most suitable method in each case. It is also important to know the characteristics of one and the other, as well as the differences between these hair transplant techniques.
What is the DHI technique?
The DHI technique has gained ground in the world of hair transplants. The name is an acronym for the words Direct Hair Implantation, or Direct Hair Implant. It has been used since 2016 and it must be said that it is an adaptation of the FUE technique.
It is also known as “CHOI hair transplantation” because uses a device called a “CHOI pencil” or “CHOI pen». This is a pen-like device. It has a hollow needle at the tip and this is attached to a plunger.
The doctor obtains the grafts from the donor with this device, taking care that they fit perfectly in the hole of the needle. Then the hair follicles are implanted one by one on the patient’s scalp.
In this technique the needle is inserted, pressed down, and then the hair is implanted to the desired depth and angle. About six CHOI pencils are used alternatively in the procedure. This enables the process to be streamlined.
Advantage
DHI is one of the most popular hair transplant techniques. One of its great advantages is that it is a manual procedure. This allows each follicle to be placed to the desired depth., which results in superior adhesion.
Other advantages of this method are the following:
- The receiving area does not need to be shaved.
- It does not require hospitalization.
- Only local anesthesia is used.
- The risks of bleeding are reduced.
- The procedure is non-invasive and painless.
- Implants of different diameter can be used, depending on the needs of each patient.
- Offers greater precision and accuracy, as well as more density in the hair implanted.
- It is not necessary to use a scalpel. This makes the wound smaller and does not leave a scar.
- Recovery is quick and rarely causes problems.
- This method minimizes the risk of infection.
- The hair finish is more natural and beautiful.
Disadvantages
As in other hair transplant techniques, and in any procedure in general, there are also disadvantages. The most visible of them is that This technique is more time consuming and can be slow compared to others. It is more demanding for both the specialist and the patient.
Other possible disadvantages are as follows:
- The number of follicles that can be implanted is less than in other techniques of hair transplants.
- The procedure must be carried out by highly specialized personnel.
- Each procedure requires the intervention of a team of at least six people.
- If the personnel in charge do not have sufficient expertise, the time can be extended even more.
- It is more expensive than other procedures.
What is the FUE technique?
The FUE technique It is one of the most traditional in terms of hair transplants. The name also is an acronym for the words Follicular Unit Extraction, o Extraction of Follicular Units.
In the FUE technique, the extraction of hair follicles is also performed individually and manually. Nevertheless, in this case the follicles pass to a cultivation area. There, they are sterilized and preserved. The goal is to improve viability and strength, as well as to discard unserviceable follicles.
The grafts are harvested with a device called a ‘micromotor’. During the procedure, small incisions are made in the scalp., with a sterile needle. Then, the grafts collected in the previous step are inserted there, with special needles that called punch.
Advantage
The main advantage of the FUE technique is that the transplanted follicular units will not fall off, but will continue to grow normally. In this case, the patient’s own hair is used, so the results are very natural.
Other advantages of the FUE technique are the following:
- It is non-invasive and does not leave scars.
- Recovery is fast.
- With this technique you can also rebuild areas such as the beard, mustache or eyebrows.
- Only use local anesthesia. The procedure is painless.
- The healing is usually perfect.
- It is a follicle by follicle technique, so the result is usually optimal.
- It does not require cumbersome care after the operation.
Disadvantages
As in the DIH technique, the procedure is quite long, especially if many follicles need to be transplanted. Sometimes it is necessary to divide the operation into several parts so that it is not too tedious.
Other possible disadvantages are as follows:
- It is not recommended for cases of very advanced baldness. It is useless if more than 3,500 follicular units are required.
- Shaving is required before the procedure.
- Transient complications such as tingling or itching may develop.
- There is a risk of infection in the scabs.
- Although it is very rare, there is the possibility that the person will develop resistance to the implant in the long term. This causes scars in the form of points.
- The technique is expensive.
Difference between these hair transplant techniques
The main difference between these hair transplant techniques is that in the case of the DHI modality the extraction of the donor’s hair follicles is done using a CHOI pencil. These are placed in a solution rich in platelets and then implanted on the patient’s scalp.
In the FUE technique the extraction of the follicles is done with special instruments. Then, these go to a cultivation area, where they must remain for a while before being implanted.
Other differences are as follows:
- While in DHI it is not necessary to make previous incisions, in FUE it is.
- In DHI it is not necessary to shave the area, in FUE yes.
- The DHI technique allows to graft hair with greater intensity.
- In the DHI technique there is almost no bleeding, while in FUE the bleeding is more visible.
Hair transplants: the choice
It is estimated that the DIH technique is the one most used by women for hair transplants. The FUE technique is used by men and women interchangeably. In any case, sex is not a contraindication in any of these methods.
As has been seen, the two hair transplant techniques have advantages and disadvantages. In addition, both are effective and give good results. It is advisable to consult with the professional so that they can guide you on the best option for each person.
It might interest you …