DHI (Direct Hair Implanter) Method

Let’s first get a common misconception out of the way. The “DHI Method,” as it’s often referred to, is not a method per se or an alternative to FUE Hair Transplants as it is touted to be. It is just a tool that is used during an FUE hair transplant procedure, much like the Wireless WAW FUE system. The DHI tool is actually called a Choi Pen, which comes in two forms; one being a pen that is used to plant grafts into a previously made recipient site, and the other being one that has a needle inside to make the site while implanting the graft. This is an interesting tool, but it is marketed as much more than its actual function. 

So what’s the hype? Let’s review the claims made by clinics using the DHI method:

  1. Grafts are less likely to be damaged due to less handling
  2. Quicker implantation
  3. Less tissue trauma
  4. Better angling for hair placement, creating a more natural look
  5. Allows for less experienced technicians to implant grafts

Now, what’s the reality? Well, claims 1-4 are questionable, and claim 5 is probably true. Let’s cover them one by one:

  1. This is simply not true, the hair is still handled by forceps, removed by the clinician post-excision (unless using a harvesting device such as the Wireless WAW FUE System or ATERA) and the pens still have to be loaded with the hair, which means the techs are handling the graft.
  2. This is a two-fold answer. If you are using the Choi with the needle, it may be  slightly faster because you are making the sites as you go. However, the pens still have to be loaded, and the old DHI tools did not make sites at all. Either way, it’s a negligible difference, if any. 
  3. This is a fallacy. You still need a needle to puncture the tissue and implant a graft in the recipient site. Unless the doctors or techs are inexperienced, this will cause the same trauma.
  4. Well, it certainly doesn’t create better angling by itself. The clinician who is making the sites still has to angle appropriately. If anything, the pen gives you less control over the implantation angles and depths in a scenario where human input is most beneficial. 
  5. This is true, but would you want someone who is inexperienced working on your head for the only hair transplant procedure you may ever have.

Another challenge with the DHI approach is that grafts can pop out of the recipient sites that are made by the Choi implanter, necessitating manual intervention to open up the sites further to re-implant the grafts. So, it amounts to double work for a good number of grafts and sites.

None of this is to say that the devices are bad because they are a good tool if a clinician prefers them. However, it is an added expense and step that really doesn’t have a significant impact one way or the other on the procedure time or clinical outcomes and results.

Therefore, this should not be a decision factor for a patient with exception to the added cost it may bring to the procedure. Most clinics charge extra for the DHI method due to the cost of the implanters. Your decision should be based on the reputation and experience of the clinic and doctors/clinicians as well as their results..


Schedule Appointment

Shop Now!

shampoo
shampoo

MAXIM Shampoo cleans the scalp and provides nourishment to hope repair damaged hair and thickening and boosting volume.

BUY NOW
conditioner
Conditioner

MAXIM Conditioner's hydrating and moisturizing formula that conditions the hair, provides essential nutrients for improving texture and volume.

BUY NOW

Locations Near You

SHOW MORE
30.2694661 -97.7376812 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d2897.6186303306267!2d-97.7391799371507!3d30.2693223018101!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x8644b563dbd65959%3A0x26ee798ce163b05e!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20Austin!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713818267389!5m2!1sen!2sus
Austin, TX
42.7706275 -73.8235729 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1464.4215563828236!2d-73.82443657129664!3d42.77052314551538!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x89de0d3d2df08449%3A0x6d353d217b0b60d9!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Albany!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713818205838!5m2!1sen!2sus
Albany, NY
26.3669049 -80.1303798 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1787.3752399895723!2d-80.13164580265504!3d26.366931334918046!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88d91fdd36076e05%3A0xab1c0005aa3f1999!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Boca%20Raton!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713818321768!5m2!1sen!2sus
Boca Raton, FL
35.093069 -80.870962 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1632.2728074813624!2d-80.87238357077788!3d35.093084362444294!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88569dc67b97d169%3A0xbec40254457423f7!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Charlotte!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713818364109!5m2!1sen!2sus
Charlotte, NC
10.3384389 123.9542495 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1962.5199657967726!2d123.95327317591857!3d10.338689572882984!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x33a9999274faa697%3A0xe6f5c0c6b9dd4668!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Cebu%2C%20Philippines!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713818407313!5m2!1sen!2sus
Cebu, Philippines
32.9267288 -96.7692648 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d3982.5574651794345!2d-96.7712024347004!3d32.92675684410014!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x864c2039699d114b%3A0x1474b08b76309f1!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Dallas!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713818463572!5m2!1sen!2sus
Dallas, TX
32.7244862 -97.3882897 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d1678.2715762156881!2d-97.38847816880399!3d32.72476532009566!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x864e730075c91f8f%3A0xb12298b074c9f414!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Fort%20Worth!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713818517620!5m2!1sen!2sus
Fort Worth, TX
26.0115924 -80.1512099 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1792.833994435926!2d-80.15224523267975!3d26.011691231095952!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88d9ab57a508ce2d%3A0xe5eae694122ae7d9!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Hollywood%2C%20FL!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713818553538!5m2!1sen!2sus
Hollywood, FL
29.7262759 -95.4186248 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d2449.8946597725817!2d-95.41419038663766!3d29.72919368726125!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x8640c3a834ca4499%3A0x6739d262d9394741!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Houston!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713818604245!5m2!1sen!2sus
Houston, TX
40.8586789 -73.3952337 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1508.805171899801!2d-73.39638168545174!3d40.858478066025256!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x89c28219ca7cb6a5%3A0x58e7eba51caecdf5!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Long%20Island!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713818645277!5m2!1sen!2sus
Long Island, NY
14.5664521 121.0285963 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1930.7880816073289!2d121.02791862117273!3d14.566213268456291!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3397c90ded855555%3A0xe673a069d328c2ab!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Manila%2C%20Philippines!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713819674076!5m2!1sen!2sus
Manila, Philippines
40.7467445 -73.9894209 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d755.6726299238755!2d-73.98677619689175!3d40.746834890894085!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x89c25895f11ec73f%3A0x318c0f64512ad723!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20New%20York%20City!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713819743980!5m2!1sen!2sus
New York City
40.9311277 -74.0738757 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3014.3050191717966!2d-74.07659009552309!3d40.930981798851356!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x89c2fb6d86c2f9f9%3A0x7197d7183eda727a!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20New%20Jersey!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713819782720!5m2!1sen!2sus
New Jersey, NJ
38.8066708 -77.1609005 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1554.5419973667872!2d-77.16148270940094!3d38.80762866305887!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x89b7b2e8d58427f5%3A0xf544a33add39f1d2!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Virginia!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713819823911!5m2!1sen!2sus
Northern Virginia
33.4953155 -112.0161384 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1663.6193189959265!2d-112.01759752168515!3d33.49516787258777!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x872b0d5cbba807ab%3A0x2252d1852872bfc7!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Phoenix!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713819944821!5m2!1sen!2sus
Phoenix, AZ
40.3942416 -80.0600311 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1519.3286682614144!2d-80.0613400179993!3d40.39428654113665!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x8834f7b3b34bcb57%3A0x6388df78f8037f81!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Pittsburgh!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713819987801!5m2!1sen!2sus
Pittsburgh, PA
40.0962709 -75.3645694 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1526.0385501061714!2d-75.36573884313049!3d40.09599390758131!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x89c6c1d3411b2701%3A0x2e9ab13146dfe69a!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Philadelphia!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713820029309!5m2!1sen!2sus
Philadelphia, PA
18.4084266 -66.0570409 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d5353.737383967645!2d-66.06129156732901!3d18.408136712002097!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x8c0369ad7b32e761%3A0x5bdc271d652429a8!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Puerto%20Rico!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713820110837!5m2!1sen!2sus
San Juan, Puerto Rico
29.5541179 -98.5357118 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2063.6993352869854!2d-98.536990328888!3d29.553800410738972!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x865c61d7cc8dd637%3A0x379dc89acc609acb!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20San%20Antonio!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713820162365!5m2!1sen!2sus
San Antonio, TX
27.3783802 -82.4201912 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d626.3051220095845!2d-82.42071620142262!3d27.378313953508485!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88c339c145e876a9%3A0xdec30ce0f0931dd7!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Sarasota!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713820209692!5m2!1sen!2sus
Sarasota, FL
27.9604943 -82.5252531 https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d2491.909881651687!2d-82.52706818995894!3d27.960445564151442!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88c2c3d9c318ca3d%3A0xd0371e54101eb5eb!2sMAXIM%20Hair%20Restoration%20%26%20Transplants%20-%20Tampa!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1713820261048!5m2!1sen!2sus
Tampa, FL
contact us
Skip to content