DHI Hair Transplant with the Choi Implanter: Technique and Benefits

DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) is a further development of the FUE method that uses a special Choi implanter – a pen-shaped implantation tool – to transplant the hair. It makes it possible to open the follicle channel and implant the follicle in a single movement. In this article we look at how DHI differs from classic FUE, where it works especially well and how a clinic chooses the right method for a patient.

What DHI is and how the Choi implanter works

DHI uses a Choi implanter fitted with a hollow needle. A hair follicle removed from the donor area is loaded directly into the implanter's needle, and the doctor inserts the follicle into the skin in a single movement – opening the channel and implanting the graft happen at the same time. With classic FUE, the channels are opened as a separate stage and only then are the grafts implanted.

This approach gives the doctor precise control over each follicle: the depth, angle and direction of implantation can be adjusted at the very moment of placement. It is exactly this precision that often makes DHI the preferred choice in situations where the placement of every single graft matters.

Choi implanters come with different needle diameters, and the doctor selects a suitable one according to the thickness of the follicles. With DHI too, the procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, and the patient feels no pain during implantation.

How DHI differs from FUE

Both methods rest on the same principle – follicles are removed one by one from a resilient donor area and transplanted into the thinning region. The main differences lie in the implantation technique:

• Work steps. DHI combines opening the channel and implanting; in FUE these are two separate stages.
• Time outside the skin. With DHI the follicles are usually outside the skin for a shorter time, which can support their viability.
• Shaving. In suitable cases DHI allows the transplant to be done with less shaving, which matters to some patients.
• Precision in dense placement. DHI gives good control over graft placement, which helps in achieving a dense, natural result.

Where DHI works especially well

DHI's strengths show most clearly in situations that call for a high degree of precision and density:

• Shaping the hairline. A natural, dense front row requires a precise angle and direction for each graft.
• Dense packing. When grafts need to be implanted densely into an area, the precision of the implanter helps to even out the result.
• Smaller, targeted areas. For example, correcting the hairline or adding local density.

For covering larger bald areas, classic FUE may still be more practical, as it often allows a greater number of grafts to be moved efficiently. Choosing the most suitable solution is always individual.

How the clinic chooses between FUE and DHI

The choice of method is not a straightforward "better or worse" decision; it depends on the specific patient. At the consultation the doctor usually assesses the following factors: the size and location of the area to be transplanted, the density of the donor area, the hair structure, the desired result and the patient's preferences regarding shaving and recovery time. In many cases, applied correctly, both methods deliver a very good and natural result – what matters is that the method is chosen to fit your needs. Results are always individual.

The next step

If you want to know which method suits you, a personal consultation is the most accurate way to find out. At the Rubenhair clinic in Riga, about 1 hour and 35 minutes' flight from Tallinn, the doctor will draw up a personalised plan after assessing your donor area. Book a free consultation and talk through your options with a specialist.