Frequently Asked Questions

DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) is an advanced modification of Follicular Unit Extraction. While follicles are harvested in the same micro-motor manner, the implantation phase is distinct: in classic or Sapphire FUE, recipient channels are cut first and grafts are placed manually with forceps. In DHI, follicles are inserted into a specialized hollow needle called a Choi Implanter Pen, which creates the micro-incision and deposits the follicle simultaneously in a single movement. This eliminates channel handling trauma and affords the surgeon precise 360-degree control over angle and direction.

The surgery is virtually pain-free once local anesthesia is administered. Top Turkish clinics utilize needle-free pressure injectors (Comfort-In) or light sedation to minimize initial discomfort. During the procedure, patients watch movies, listen to music, or rest. Post-operatively, patients describe a feeling of tight pressure or mild sunburn rather than sharp pain, easily managed with standard paracetamol.

Yes! Unshaven DHI (U-DHI) is one of the standout benefits of Choi implanter pens. Because the pen protects the graft during insertion, surgeons can navigate between existing long hair strands without shaving the recipient crown or hairline. A small rectangular patch on the back of the head is trimmed for harvesting, which remains concealed by your surrounding hair.

Because DHI is technically labor-intensive, safe single-session graft counts typically range between 2,500 and 3,500 grafts (approx. 5,000 to 8,000 individual hairs). If you require 4,500+ grafts for extensive Norwood 5–6 baldness, ethical surgeons recommend either combining Sapphire FUE on the crown with DHI on the hairline, or splitting surgery across two consecutive days.

An all-inclusive DHI package in Istanbul costs between €2,200 and €3,500. In contrast, the identical procedure costs £7,000 to £12,000 in the UK and $10,000 to $18,000 in the United States. Premium doctor-led boutique clinics in Istanbul charge on a per-graft basis, typically €1.50 to €3.00 per graft.

Standard packages include:

• The complete surgical procedure (up to maximum safe grafts)
• Pre-operative blood tests and trichoscopic scalp scan
• 3 nights accommodation in a 4- or 5-star hotel
• VIP private airport and clinic transfers
• Post-operative clinic hair wash and shampoo kit
• Complete medications (antibiotics, pain relievers, swelling medication)
• 12 months of remote post-operative tracking

Shock loss is a completely normal biological phenomenon occurring between weeks 2 and 8 after surgery. The transplanted hair shafts shed due to temporary surgical trauma, but the underlying follicular dermal papilla cells remain alive and firmly anchored beneath the scalp. New, permanent hairs will begin emerging around month 3 to 4.

A standard stay is 3 nights and 4 days:

• Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul, VIP transfer to hotel, rest.
• Day 2: In-person doctor consultation, blood tests, and 6–8 hour DHI surgery.
• Day 3: Rest day in hotel or light sightseeing; bandage removal.
• Day 4: Post-operative wash training at the clinic, certificate issued, transfer to airport for flight home.

Yes. The follicular units extracted from the back and sides of your head (the donor zone) are genetically immune to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness. Once successfully vascularized, these transplanted follicles will continue to grow naturally for the remainder of your life.