DHI Hair Transplant in Istanbul, Turkey

What is a DHI hair transplant?

DHI stands for direct hair implantation. It is a variation of FUE (follicular unit excision). In both methods, hair follicles are removed one by one from the back and sides of the head. These small groups of one to four hairs are called grafts.

The difference is in how the grafts go into the thinning area. In classic FUE, all the channels are opened first and the grafts are placed afterwards. In a DHI hair transplant, a Choi implanter pen does both at once. The pen has a hollow needle. A graft is loaded into the needle, the needle enters the skin at the chosen angle and depth, and a plunger pushes the graft into place.

Because each graft is placed as soon as its channel is made, DHI gives very precise control over the angle and direction of every hair. This is why it is often chosen for hairlines and for adding density between existing hairs.

How a DHI hair transplant works, step by step

1. Consultation and graft plan. Dr Alakaya assesses your hair loss, your donor area and the thickness of your hair. He decides how many grafts you need and whether DHI is the right method for your case.
2. Hairline design. He draws your hairline by hand to suit your face shape and age. He also plans for hair loss you may have later, so the result still looks right in ten or twenty years.
3. Local anaesthesia. The donor and recipient areas are numbed. You stay awake throughout the operation.
4. Graft extraction. Grafts are taken one by one with a fine micro punch. They are sorted by the number of hairs they contain and kept in a cooled storage solution.
5. Loading the Choi pens. Each graft is loaded carefully into a Choi implanter pen. Several pens are used in rotation, so the work keeps moving and grafts spend little time outside the body.
6. Implantation. The pen opens the channel and places the graft in one step. Dr Alakaya sets the angle and direction for the hairline and the key zones. His certified team works under his supervision.
7. Dressing and aftercare. The donor area is dressed. You receive your medication, aftercare kit and written instructions.

A DHI operation usually takes 6 to 8 hours with breaks. Larger sessions can take a little longer, because each graft is placed individually with the pen.

DHI vs sapphire FUE: which hair transplant method suits you?

Both methods use the same extraction and can give natural results. The choice depends on your hair loss pattern, the number of grafts you need and your existing hair.

Some patients benefit from a mix of both. For example, DHI at the hairline and sapphire FUE at the crown. Dr Alakaya decides this during your consultation. You can learn more on our sapphire FUE hair transplant page or read the full comparison in sapphire FUE vs DHI.

Who is a good candidate for a DHI hair transplant

DHI is often a good fit if you:

• want to rebuild or lower your hairline with a natural, soft edge
• still have hair in the thinning area and want to add density without damaging it
• need a small to medium number of grafts
• want to keep the top of your head longer during recovery
• are a woman with diffuse thinning in a defined area and want to keep your existing hair undisturbed

DHI may not be the most practical choice for very large bald areas that need many thousands of grafts in one day. In that case sapphire FUE, or a combination of both, is often more suitable.

If your hair loss is still active, Dr Alakaya may also suggest medical therapy to protect your existing hair. Finasteride and minoxidil are common options and both need a doctor's prescription. PRP hair treatment can also be used alongside surgery.

Your DHI hair transplant in Turkey with Dr Harun Alakaya

Dr Harun Alakaya graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in 2011. He has about 15 years of experience in hair surgery and has performed more than 20,000 hair transplant operations. He is a member of the ISHRS and the ESHRS, the international and European societies for hair restoration surgery.

In DHI, the angle of every graft matters, especially at the hairline. This is how Dr Alakaya works:

• he plans each case himself and sets the graft count
• he draws the hairline by hand
• he controls the angle and direction for the hairline and key zones
• he limits the number of patients per day
• implantation is done by his certified team under his supervision

He has trained doctors and nurses in hair surgery and presented his own hair surgery methods at the national congress of surgical sciences in 2015. Read more on the Dr Harun Alakaya profile page.

DHI hair transplant recovery and results

Recovery after DHI is similar to other FUE methods. This is the usual timeline:

• Days 1–3: mild tightness and some swelling are normal. Your first wash is done at the clinic.
• Days 3–5: most people with office jobs return to work.
• Days 7–10: small crusts in the recipient area come away with gentle washing.
• Weeks 2–8: many transplanted hairs fall out. This shock loss is normal and the roots remain in place.
• Months 3–4: new hair starts to grow.
• Month 12: most patients see their final result. The crown can take up to 18 months.

For a full day-by-day guide, see our hair transplant recovery timeline.

DHI hair transplant packages and price in Turkey

Every DHI package with Dr Alakaya has a fixed price, with no per-graft billing. The package includes:

• the DHI operation
• hotel accommodation
• VIP transfers between the airport, hotel and clinic
• blood tests
• medication and an aftercare kit
• your first wash at the clinic
• follow-up at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months

Prices start from the figure shown on our hair transplant cost in Turkey page. Send a few photos of your hair to receive a personal plan and a fixed quote.

Frequently asked questions