How FUE works
- Follicles are extracted from the donor area with a fine punch.
- Grafts are sorted and kept in a cool storage solution.
- Tiny channels are opened in the recipient area, setting the angle, direction and density of the new hair.
- Grafts are placed into the channels with fine forceps.
Sapphire FUE is the same technique, with channels opened by sapphire blades instead of steel. The blades are very fine and sharp, designed to make small, precise incisions that heal quickly. It is the most common technique in Istanbul. See Sapphire FUE and FUE.
How DHI works
DHI (direct hair implantation) uses the same extraction. Each graft is then loaded into a pen-like implanter, often called a Choi pen, which creates the opening and places the graft in a single movement.
Because each graft is loaded by hand, DHI is slower and usually suits smaller sessions. It gives fine control over angle and depth, which is why it is often chosen for hairlines, temples and adding density between existing hairs without shaving the whole area. See DHI hair transplant.
FUE vs DHI at a glance
| FUE / Sapphire FUE | DHI | |
|---|---|---|
| Extraction | Individual follicles | Same as FUE |
| Implantation | Channels first, then grafts placed | Implanter pen opens and places in one step |
| Best suited to | Larger areas, bigger sessions | Hairlines, temples, density between existing hair |
| Shaving | Usually full shave of the recipient area | Often possible without shaving the recipient area |
| Session length | 6–8 hours | 8–10 hours for similar numbers |
| Typical price in Istanbul | £1,650–£2,400 | £2,300–£2,900 |
| Typical private UK price | £5,000–£9,600 | £6,900–£11,500 |
Which technique is right for you?
Start with your stage of hair loss. Find yours on the Norwood scale below, then read the guidance that follows.
- Extensive loss on the top and crown usually needs a large number of grafts, where FUE or Sapphire FUE is the practical choice.
- A receding hairline or thinning temples is often a good fit for DHI, especially if you want to keep existing hair or avoid a full shave.
- Mixed needs are common: many surgeons combine techniques, with DHI at the hairline and FUE behind it.
- Your donor area sets the limit for every technique. A surgeon should tell you how many grafts it can safely give over your lifetime.
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Recovery and results
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Mild swelling and small scabs; first wash at the clinic around day three |
| Days 7–10 | Scabs clear; most people are back at desk work |
| Weeks 2–8 | Transplanted hairs shed: expected and temporary |
| Months 3–4 | New growth begins |
| Months 6–8 | Clear improvement in density |
| Months 12–18 | Final result |
DHI may cause slightly less visible redness in the recipient area for some patients, because no separate channels are opened first. In practice, recovery for both is similar. For the full day-by-day trip, read hair transplant in Turkey, day by day.
Questions to ask your clinic
- Who performs each step, and what is the surgeon's personal role?
- How many grafts do I need, and can you confirm the range in writing?
- Which technique do you recommend for me, and why?
- How will my donor area be protected for the future?
- What does aftercare look like once I am home, and for how long?
Your donor area matters more than the technique
Every graft comes from the same limited supply, whichever technique is used.
The back and sides of your head can only give a certain number of follicles before the area looks thin. That number depends on your hair density, hair thickness and scalp, and it is the real limit on what any transplant can achieve.
- Thick, coarse or curly hair gives more visual coverage per graft.
- Fine hair needs more grafts for the same look.
- A strong contrast between hair and skin colour makes thinning more visible.
- Future loss must be planned for, so some donor supply is kept in reserve.
A surgeon who explains your donor capacity before recommending a technique is planning for your long-term result. Use the hair graft calculator for a first estimate.
Unshaven and long-hair options
For people who cannot take time away from work or prefer discretion, some transplants can be done without shaving the whole head. DHI is often used for this, because grafts can be placed between existing hairs without a full shave of the recipient area.
Unshaven procedures are slower and usually limited to smaller sessions, so they suit hairline refinement and early thinning rather than extensive loss. See unshaven hair transplant for who it suits.
Frequently asked questions
Not in general. DHI offers fine control for hairlines and dense packing between existing hairs; FUE is more practical for large sessions. The right answer depends on your hair loss and your donor area.
Often the recipient area can stay unshaven with DHI, which suits people who want discretion. The donor area usually still needs to be trimmed.
Density depends on graft numbers, your donor supply and the surgeon's planning more than the technique. Both can achieve natural, dense results in the right hands.
In Istanbul, FUE packages typically cost £1,650–£2,100, Sapphire FUE £1,900–£2,400 and DHI £2,300–£2,900, including the hotel, transfers and aftercare.
