The DHI Hair Transplant Method

Deciding to get a hair transplant is a big deal. You want it done right. Patients in the UK often face a frustrating choice. They can pay extremely high prices at local clinics. Or they can risk their health with unregulated budget operators abroad. Both options have major flaws.

Hairtec offers a completely different clinical path. We handle your initial medical diagnostics 100% online. You do not need to visit a physical clinic in London. After we confirm your surgical suitability digitally, we arrange your travel. You fly from the UK directly to our specialised facility in Delft, the Netherlands.

Hair follicles are implanted into the scalp using ultra-fine hollow needles, ensuring maximum follicle protection and the highest success rate.

Thanks to the DHI technique, no incisions are made in the scalp. Resulting in less damage, faster recovery, and no visible scarring.

With the DHI technique, we create a natural-looking hair density that seamlessly blends into your existing hair.

With DHI, it is possible (up to 3,000 grafts) to shave only the donor area, so that your hairstyle is largely preserved.

Our specialised teams can successfully implant up to 4,500 grafts in a single session.

Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) is the latest hair transplant technique. With this method, the hair follicles are placed directly into the scalp using an implant pen with an ultra-fine hollow needle. Cutting into the scalp is no longer necessary, which means recovery is much faster than with traditional techniques.

Thanks to the refined technique, the success rate of the transplanted hairs is the highest, resulting in maximum hair density and a natural-looking appearance.

What is Direct Hair Implantation (DHI)?

DHI differs fundamentally from older surgical methods. Standard hair restoration methods require a two-step implantation process.

Step One: A doctor uses a steel or sapphire blade to open hundreds of tiny channels in the scalp.
Step Two: The medical team places the grafts into these pre-made wounds using forceps.

DHI skips that separate incision step entirely. It is much safer for the follicles. The specialist uses a precise, pen-like tool to puncture the skin and implant the follicle at the exact same time. This single motion reduces tissue trauma. It also cuts down the time the follicle spends outside the body.

Understanding Graft Volume vs. Hair Density

When discussing high-volume restoration, it helps to understand the biological math. We operate with large, dedicated medical teams in our Delft clinic. This scale allows us to successfully extract and implant up to 4,500 grafts in a single surgical session.

A Follicular Unit (Graft): A naturally occurring unit of tissue that contains between one and four individual hair follicles.
Total Hair Count: Moving 4,500 grafts can yield over 10,000 individual hairs.
Clinical Result: This volume provides the intense density needed to cover large areas of baldness in one visit.

Are You an Ideal Candidate for DHI?

DHI excels at building density. The Choi Pen allows our Dutch specialists to implant follicles safely between existing hairs. It does not damage native roots. This makes it highly effective for rebuilding a receded frontal hairline or adding volume to a thinning crown.

The Discreet Unshaven DHI Option

Many professionals in the UK require their surgery to remain completely private. For these patients, we offer a specific unshaven DHI option with strict criteria:

Maximum Capacity: Suitable for procedures requiring up to 3,000 grafts.
Shaving Protocol: We only trim a hidden donor section at the back of the scalp. We do not shave the top of the head.
Concealment: If your existing hair is approximately 15 cm long, it will fall over the extraction site naturally. This conceals the surgical area.

Medical Transparency: Who Should Avoid DHI?

DHI will not work for everyone. Our comprehensive online assessment protocol flags specific medical issues before you ever book a flight. We will decline the procedure if you present with the following:

Depleted Donor Area: Insufficient healthy follicles remaining from previous surgeries.
DUPA (Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia): A condition where the donor hair is genetically unstable and prone to falling out.
Active Scalp Infections: Dermatological conditions that require resolution before any surgical intervention.

Natural-looking result

With DHI, we can achieve the most natural-looking result, where the transplanted hairs seamlessly blend into the existing hair.

Realistic Clinical Success Rates in DHI

Let us talk about real numbers. Unregulated clinics and aggressive sales brokers love to promise total graft survival. Biologically, that is impossible.

At Hairtec, we state the clinical reality clearly. The success rate for DHI procedures typically ranges between 70% and 85%. This percentage represents the number of transplanted follicles that will successfully anchor, survive the shedding phase, and produce permanent terminal hair.

This 70% to 85% range is a highly realistic, scientifically backed outcome. It applies to patients who strictly follow our post-operative care rules. Variables such as your native blood circulation, adherence to lifestyle restrictions, and individual healing capacity all play a role in this final percentage.

The Real Difference Between DHI and Standard FUE

Both methods use the exact same extraction process. The difference lies entirely in how the hair goes back into the scalp. Standard FUE requires a surgeon to use a blade to open channels first. DHI bypasses the channel creation step entirely.

To help you understand the clinical options, we provide this direct comparison:

Feature	DHI (Direct Hair Implantation)	Sapphire FUE
Implantation Tool	Choi Implanter Pen	Sapphire blades and forceps
Recovery Time	3 to 5 Days	7 to 10 Days
Incision Method	Simultaneous puncture and placement	Pre-made channels cut into the scalp
Shaving Requirement	Unshaven recipient area possible	Usually requires a fully shaven head
Density Potential	Extremely high	High (ideal for broad coverage)

The Mechanics of the Choi Implanter Pen

The core instrument for the DHI procedure is the Choi Implanter Pen. This tool features a hollow needle attached to a spring-loaded mechanism. However, the tool is only as good as the medical protocol supporting it. We follow a strict step-by-step process.

Precision Extraction and Micro-Punches

The surgical process begins with advanced local anaesthesia. We numb the donor area at the back of the head. Once the area is completely numb, our specialists extract follicles individually.

Tool Size: We use motorised micro-punches with a diameter ranging from 0.6 mm to 0.7 mm.
Scar Prevention: Using tools of this exact size prevents visible white-dot scarring.
Donor Protection: It protects the surrounding tissue. This keeps your donor area dense and healthy for the future.

ATP-Enriched Graft Preservation

Extracted follicles degrade quickly at room temperature. They suffer from cellular hypoxia. We do not leave your grafts in basic saline solutions. Instead, we place them immediately in a custom-developed, active cooling fluid.

Bioactive Ingredients: The fluid is enriched with Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and bioactive proteins.
Metabolic Control: This specific medical solution slows the cell metabolism of the graft.
Cellular Protection: It prevents cellular death and protects the fragile root structures.

Micro-Surgical Graft Sorting and Quality Control

Before implantation begins, a dedicated team of clinical assistants examines the grafts under high-powered microscopes. They count and sort the grafts based on the number of hairs they contain.

Single-Hair Grafts: Separated for use in the very front of the hairline. This creates a soft, natural edge.
Multi-Hair Grafts: Grouped for use in the mid-scalp and crown to build dense volume.
Quality Verification: Unhealthy or transected units are discarded immediately. We only implant the strongest follicles.

Simultaneous Implantation and the ADD Principle

The verified follicles are carefully loaded into the hollow needle of the Choi Pen. The surgeon presses the pen directly into the scalp and injects the graft into the tissue. This method allows the surgeon to control three critical variables instantly:

Angle: Matching the exact elevation of the native hair.
Depth: Placing the root at the correct biological level for optimal blood supply.
Direction: Following the natural whorl and flow of your scalp.

Highest Feasibility in One DHI Session

As a hair clinic, we specialize in the DHI method. While typically up to a maximum of 3,000 grafts are placed, we are able to successfully implant up to 4,500 grafts in a single DHI treatment. We can achieve this number because we work with a larger team specialized in this specific technique. With this, we offer a unique opportunity in the Netherlands for people who want to achieve the highest possible density without having to undergo multiple surgeries.

How Does a DHI Treatment Work?

Below, we explain step by step how your DHI treatment proceeds. You will get a clear picture of what to expect during each phase of the process.

The Hairtec Online-to-Delft Medical Model

We provide UK patients with a structured, cross-border healthcare protocol. It prioritises safety and results over local clinic visits.

Secure Online Diagnostics

Your clinical evaluation begins remotely. We do not operate a physical consultation office in London. Instead, we conduct a highly structured online consultation.

Image Submission: You submit specific, high-resolution images of your scalp.
Medical History: You provide a detailed health background via our secure digital portal.
Digital Review: Our medical specialists review your case digitally.
Bespoke Planning: They calculate your exact graft requirements, assess your donor capacity, and design a treatment plan.

Strict Dutch Medical Standards

Once your online assessment is approved, you travel to our clinic in Delft. The Netherlands enforces extremely rigorous healthcare regulations.

Registered Professionals: Your surgery is performed exclusively by experienced, in-house medical teams. They are officially registered on the BIG-register.
The One Patient Rule: We adhere to a strict daily clinical limit. One specialist treats one patient per day.
Undivided Attention: The specialist working on you does not jump between rooms or manage other surgeries. This eliminates surgical fatigue.

The Lifetime Growth Guarantee

We guarantee that the successfully transplanted hair will grow and remain permanently. This assumes your general health stays stable. This level of medical accountability serves as the ultimate proof of our confidence in our Dutch clinical standards.

The Day of Your Surgery in Delft

When you arrive at the Delft clinic, your dedicated surgical suite is prepared exclusively for you. The day unfolds through highly controlled clinical stages.

Pre-Operative Medical Screening: We conduct a blood test to confirm you are fit for surgery.
Hairline Review: The specialist will physically review the hairline design agreed upon during your online consultation.
Extraction Phase: Harvesting the follicles under local anaesthesia.
Clinical Break: A structured pause for lunch and rest.

Implantation Phase: We load the Choi Pens and simultaneously implant the grafts into your recipient area.

Recovery and Returning to the UK

The DHI method completely bypasses the need for pre-made incisions. Because of this, tissue trauma is remarkably low. You can fly back to the UK safely within a few days of your procedure.

The First Medical Wash in Delft

Before you board your flight home, you return to our clinic for specific post-operative care:

Our specialists perform your first post-operative wash to clean the surgical site.
They provide a hands-on, practical demonstration of the washing technique.
You receive all necessary instructions to manage your aftercare routine once back in the UK.

The First 14 Days and Lifestyle Restrictions

Immediately following the procedure, you will notice tiny red pinpricks in the implanted area. These will quickly form small scabs. To protect the newly implanted grafts, you must adhere to specific lifestyle restrictions:

Physical Activity: Avoid heavy physical exercise for 14 days.
Environment: Avoid swimming pools, saunas, and direct exposure to intense sunlight.
Medication: Avoid taking NSAIDs or blood-thinning medications during the initial healing phase.

Understanding the Shedding Phase (Shock Loss)

It is clinically normal to experience a temporary shedding of the transplanted hair shafts. This occurs between two to four weeks after the procedure. It is known as Shock Loss.

Biological Response: It is a natural part of the hair’s recovery cycle.
Follicle Security: While the physical hair shafts fall out, the healthy follicles remain securely anchored beneath the skin.
Resting Phase: The follicle simply enters a resting phase (Telogen) due to the trauma of the relocation.

Long-Term Growth Timeline

New, permanent hair growth follows a predictable timeline after the resting phase:

Months 3 to 4: New hair begins to emerge from the scalp.
Month 6: You will see approximately 50% of the final result.
Months 12 to 18: The hair continues to thicken and mature. The final aesthetic result becomes fully visible.

Once you return to the UK, the Hairtec team provides continuous remote follow-ups. We monitor your progress digitally throughout the 12-month growth cycle.

Things to Keep in Mind After Your DHI Treatment

After your DHI treatment, it is important to follow our guidelines for a proper recovery. Below you will find the most important advice to keep in mind.

The Aftercare Session

4–9 a.m.

Duration of surgery

4–9 a.m.

Wash your hair

After 2 days

Individual sports

After 5 days

Recording time

You can go home the same day

Sleeping on your back

First 10 days

Contact sports

After 2 months

Off work

It is recommended that you stay home for one week

Gentle exercise

After 2 days

Recovery

After about 7 days

The Medical Team for Your DHI Treatment

Our specialists personally guide you during the recovery process and provide advice on what you can do after your DHI treatment for the best results.

Dr. S. Gokcek

Big number: 89923451501

Dr. G. Tokmaji

Big number: 59912240801

Dr. E. Akdag

Big number: 79919598901

Dr. C. Demir

Big number: 09934673701

DHI Before and After Photos

View before and after photos of results 6 to 12 months after the treatment below.

12-month result

12-month result

12-month result

12-month result

12-month result

12-month result

12-month result

12-month result

12-month result

12-month result

Patient Experiences

View some of our patients below as they share their experiences.

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Hairtec DHI Hair Transplant Cost and Packages

Navigating the financial aspect of hair restoration in the UK can be highly frustrating. Local clinics frequently add hidden fees for essential aftercare, initial consultations, or specific extraction tools.

At Hairtec, our pricing structure is straightforward and fixed. We calculate the exact cost and communicate it clearly during your online consultation. Every Hairtec DHI package includes the following as standard:

Digital Assessment: Comprehensive online medical consultation and exact graft calculation.
Return Flights: Fully arranged travel from the UK to the Netherlands.
Luxury Accommodation: Premium hotel stays located near our Delft clinic.
VIP Transfers: Private transportation between the airport, your hotel, and the clinic.
The DHI Procedure: The complete surgery performed by your dedicated Dutch medical specialist.
Post-Operative Care Kit: All essential medications and specialised healing shampoos provided before you fly home.

12-Month UK Support: Ongoing remote medical follow-ups to track your growth.

500 grafts

€ 3.000,-

500 - 1.000 grafts

€ 3.500,-

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Frequently Asked Questions About DHI

Here you will find answers to the most common questions about the DHI hair transplant.

What is a DHI hair transplant?

Direct Hair Implantation is an advanced surgical technique using a specialised tool called a Choi Pen. It allows our specialists to extract and immediately implant healthy hair follicles without cutting pre-made channels in the scalp.

Is a DHI hair transplant painful?

The procedure is highly comfortable. We use advanced local anaesthesia to numb the scalp entirely before surgery begins. The Choi Pen does not require surgical blades to open channels. Because of this, tissue trauma and post-operative discomfort are very low.

Do I need to shave my head for a DHI procedure?

Not always. For procedures requiring up to 3,000 grafts, Hairtec offers a discreet unshaven DHI option. We only trim a small donor section at the back of the head.

How long does the DHI procedure take?

A DHI session typically takes between 6 to 8 hours. It depends on the required graft count. Hairtec enforces a strict one patient per day policy. This means your dedicated specialist focuses solely on your procedure without rushing.

What is the recovery time for a DHI hair transplant?

The initial healing phase is exceptionally rapid. The microscopic scabs and tiny punch marks typically heal and fall away within 7 to 10 days.

Are DHI hair transplant results permanent?

Yes. We take the transplanted follicles from the safe donor zone. They are genetically resistant to hair loss. They retain this biological resistance permanently in their new location.

How do I start the process if I live in the UK?

We handle the entire diagnostic phase remotely. You submit your photos through our secure online portal. Our medical team evaluates your case, calculates your graft requirements, and provides a comprehensive surgical plan digitally.

Are you interested?

Every step toward a fuller head of hair starts with good advice. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and find out which treatment is right for you.

STEP 1

Free Consultation

A personal consultation with our specialists to discuss your needs and options.

FREE CONSULTATION

STEP 2

Hair and Skin Analysis

A detailed analysis of your scalp and hair follicles to determine the right approach.

FREE CONSULTATION

STEP 3

Treatment

The chosen hair transplant technique is carefully performed by our experienced team.

FREE CONSULTION