The DHI Implantation Method & Choi Implanter Pen
Some define it as the newest method in hair transplantation, some say there is no ‘recognized’
technique called DHI, others claim that it is just a marketing gimmick, while a fraction explains the
method as; FUE with implanters.
The debate goes further, where the two methods at its simplest form stand out to be; ‘different ways to
harvest the grafts’ combined with ‘conducting different implanting procedures’.
However, our aim for this study is to remain objective and to have a brief and clear understanding on
how the procedure actually works.
Unlike the FUE method, during the DHI implantation method, site creation and graft implantation are
performed simultaneously, i.e. extraction and implantation are combined as part of a one or two step
process, embedding the extracted hair follicles directly into the receipt areas without the need of
creating channel incisions in the donor area via utilizing an implanter (choi) pen that features a hollow
needle connected to a tub and plunger device. This is why the DHI procedure is also referred as the Choi
method.
A Complete Pain Relief Method in Hair Transplantation
Thanks to the use of sedation given under the direct supervision of our Anesthesiologist, you will no
longer feel any pain during the administration of local anesthesia prior to the hair transplant procedure.
As a consequence, you will be having a more comfortable and pain-free hair transplant experience. Even
though hair transplants are generally considered as painless procedures, this new method will help our
patients who suffer from needle phobia, to feel at ease, allowing them to relax during the procedure.
Owing to this, the level of pain that was currently at minimum is now completely eliminated.
What is Sedation?
Sedation is the action of producing a state of calm or sleep under controlled sedative drug
administration, monitoring the depth of sedation with the types of drugs used and the amount given
tailored specifically to each patient needs.
Do I Have to Receive Sedation?
Sedation is efficient and safe even in young children and as we previously mentioned, it assures the
patient a discomfort free hair transplant procedure with zero pain. But then again, we continue to offer
hair transplant procedures without sedation for patients who do not prefer. sedation to be
administered.
The DHI method procedure
1 During a hair transplant procedure operated with the Choi implanter, the specialized
physician/surgeon or technicians transmit the harvested grafts into the implanter pen.
The graft is inserted gently within the hollow needle, which is positioned at the end of the implanter
pen, to be handed back to the specialized physician.
2 Subsequently, the needle is inserted at an accurate angle of 40-45 degrees into the scalp by the
surgeon, as the incision site is made and then the graft is implanted by pressing down on the plunger.
3 During a procedure, normally an amount varying from 2-6 Choi implanters and approximately 15-16
needles are concurrently used, with the device coming in a variety of needle sizes to fit the follicular unit
grafts.
The Choi method naturally has its advantages as well as its disadvantages over the FUE technique.
Advantages of DHI Technique
Among its advantages indicated by some hair restoration experts are as follows;
• Reduced time of grafts remaining outside the body, thus ensuring strong and healthy placement of the
grafts.
• Adequate hair follicles survival rates.
• Reduced bleeding during the creation of the recipient area. Reduced trauma during graft handling,
thus leading to less damage in the blood supply to the implanted area.
• Fast recovery during the postoperative phase, the patient can return back to his/her normal routine
quicker.
• The recipient site does not have to be shaved, as it is a more suitable procedure that enables this
condition.
Disadvantages of DHI Technique
On the other hand the disadvantages in comparison to the FUE method include;
• The physician and staff members are exposed to long-term training period so as to specialize in
utilizing this technique.
• It is generally a more costly procedure when compared to other hair transplantation methods.
• This method requires more attention as well as accuracy during the procedure.
• Due to the fact of the limitation of access to the operative area- this technique can cause the operator
stress, which could likely affect both the extraction as well as the implantation process, causing possible
damage while handling the grafts.
•
After mentioning the highlights of this special technique, we will make one final remark on this topic
through a question.
Are all candidates qualified to undergo this hair transplant surgery utilizing the Choi Implanter pen?
With the creation of this method by specialists at the Kyungpook National University in Korea, as the
Choi Implanter is generally considered the ‘original’ implanter pen device, experts operating within the
field started to conduct research so as to gain an in-depth understanding on this new
technique.According to the results of their studies, they had identified that not all people were ideal
candidates for utilizing the Choi implanter pen during the hair transplant surgery.
It was observed that the initial version of the Choi Implanter pen provided better results on Asian
patients with hair loss compared to other ethnicities. The experts that studied this phenomenon came
to the following conclusion: Asian people’s hair in general is distinguished with thick straight hair, and
the curly characteristics and thinner diameter of other races, makes it difficult to be loaded properly into
the implanter and place in the scalp, as the main sizes of the needles that were used in the early stages
ranged between 0.8-0.9 mm.
As a result, this may lead to inappropriate bend in the follicle, incorrect graft placement and an
excessive trauma for the follicles. Therefore, not all patients are ideal candidates for the utilization of
the Choi implanter pen during their hair transplant surgery. SIn opposition to the proposed findings,
some physicians disagreed with this statement, indicating that with increased training and experience
with the Choi implanter pen, effective graft placement with any type of hair characteristics could be
possible.
With scientific and technical advancements, hair restoration procedures has improved over the past
decade, reaching to a point where it is now possible to conduct hair transplant utilizing the Choi
Implanter pen with any kind of hair characteristics, creating a new era that produces consistent,
effective, predictable, safe but most of all natural-looking results.