Around 85 percent of males have thinning hair before age 50. A noticeable amount of hair fall will occur in women over 50 years of age.
To regrow the hair that has been lost, there are many types of hair transplant surgery. The two most commonly used techniques are Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT), as well as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
FUT involves removing individual hair follicles by a surgeon cutting a small strip of hair from the scalp. FUE involves removing hair follicles right from the scalp. The follicles will be implanted in the balding regions of your scalp during both FUE and FUE.
Direct hair implantation is a modified version of FUE that was developed by DHI Global Medical Group.
FUE involves a surgeon cutting channels in the scalp and then implanting hair follicles. DHI uses a special pen-shaped tool that can simultaneously do both.
Let’s talk about DHI surgery. It will also be compared to FUT to help you decide which one is best for you.
DHI is a modified form of FUE hair implantation. It follows a similar procedure. Your surgeon will remove hair from the back of your head and insert them into any balding areas. These hair follicles will eventually produce new hairs.
Here’s what to expect during the procedure.
Your surgeon will shave the head of your head and then apply local anesthesia.
The surgeon will remove hair follicles using a fine tip tool.
The hair follicles of the hair will be placed into a pen-shaped tool, and then implanted in the balding portion of your scalp.
The surgeon will apply an anti-biotic cream and bandage to all affected sites.
FUE and DHI procedures generally take 8 hours. The exact time depends on how many hairs are being transplanted. The final results may take up to 12-18 months.
People suffering from androgenic hair loss are ideal candidates for hair transplants. This condition is often referred to as either male or female pattern hair fall.
You are a good candidate to have hair transplantation.
Age. Hair implants should not be used by people under 25. Hair loss is more likely if you are younger than 25.
Hair diameter. People with thicker hair tend to get better results than those who have thinner hair. Thicker hair means that each hair follicle gets more coverage.
Donor hair density. Patients with less than 40 hair follicles per sq. centimeter at their donor sites are not eligible for hair transplants.
Hair color. People with blonde hair, or with hair colors that are close to their skin tone, often get the best results.
Expectations. Expectations that are realistic will be most successful.
FUE, DHI, or FUT are all methods of taking follicles out of one side of your scalp and implanting them to balding regions.
A FUT procedure involves removing a small, narrow section of skin from the back part of your scalp. Individual hair follicles can be removed and inserted along your hairline. This is the fastest and cheapest method, but it can leave you with a large scar. It may be obvious if your hair is very short. Longer hair hides the scar better.
Individual hair follicles may be removed from your scalp in FUE or DHI surgery. FUE involves a surgeon cutting a series canals through your scalp to insert the hair-follicles. This DHI technique allows surgeons make incisions and also implant hair simultaneously.
FUE and DHI are less invasive than FUT. However they can be more costly and take longer.
DHI is a company that claims it’s the best and most effective way to treat hair. However, studies have not been done to compare the results with other hair treatment methods.
FUE surgery can be performed in any combination that works well to treat hair loss. But, it is still disputed whether FUT and FUE are the most effective.
Hair transplantation is relatively simple and does not often cause complications. FUE and DHI hair transplant require less surgery than FUT. FUE doesn’t need a surgeon to remove a large section of skin.
FUE techniques claim to be virtually painless. However, individual follicles are removed and tiny scars result. These scars usually are not visible.
Here are some potential complications of DHI Surgery.
Anesthesia-related adverse reactions
To numb your scalp, local anesthesia will apply during DHI. While anesthesia is generally safe and non-invasive, some people may experience adverse reactions.
The vast majority of reactions are due to anxiety or fear and not to anesthesia-related topical sensitivity.
Infection
You can get an infection at the donor site, or in the area where the hair follicles have been implanted. Severe infections are uncommon and only occur in 1% of hair-implantation surgeries.
Shock hair loss
After 2 months, shock hair loss can occur. It is temporary hair loss that occurs at the location of the hair transplant. A full recovery is usually possible in three to four months.
Undesired appearance
It is important to align the hair follicles in a manner that mimics natural hair growth when they are grafted. It can cause a poor appearance if the follicles have been placed incorrectly.
It’s important to do your research on surgeons in your region before you make a decision. You can review the results of other patients and talk to them about their experiences.
Other complications
There are also potential complications to hair transplants:
bleeding
dizziness
Pain
Increased heart rate
Inflammation of the hair follicles
A sparse appearance at the donor site
Scarring
DHI Global projects the cost of a DHI Session at Clinics in London Athens Dubai Dubai or Paris to be between $3,250 – $13,500
A hair transplant’s cost will vary depending on where the procedure is performed, how many hairs are being removed, and what the clinic charges. Since DHI is considered a cosmetic procedure, insurance companies will not cover it.
Consider traveling to a less expensive location, or reducing the number and size of the hair follicles that you have transplanted. This will help to lower the cost.
You can also try these alternatives to hair-transplant:
minoxil (Rogaine),
finasteride (Propecia)
Laser therapy for low-level conditions
DHI is a modified FUE hair implantation. While there are no studies on DHI’s effectiveness, FUE surgery can treat hair loss caused either by male or feminine pattern baldness.
Hair implantation procedures can be quite expensive. Alternatives to hair implantation surgery include Rogaine or finasteride tablets.
