A carefully staged DHI session with implanter-pen placement, planned for patients whose donor area and hairline design support a denser, highly detailed result.
Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) is a way of placing hair grafts. Follicles are first removed one by one from the donor area, usually the back and sides of the head, as in FUE. Each graft is then loaded into a fine, pen-shaped implanter that opens the channel and places the graft in a single movement.
In our pathways, “DHI Pro” describes a more intensive version of that plan: a larger team, closer control of how long grafts spend outside the body, and denser placement in the zones that shape your appearance most, such as the hairline and front third. It is chosen when the donor supply and the design genuinely support it, not as a default upgrade.
These are general points only. Whether a treatment is suitable for you is decided by the treating clinician after reviewing your photos, medical history and, where needed, an in-person examination.
You share photos of your hairline, crown and donor area. The surgeon gives a first opinion on suitability and the likely plan before you travel.
On the day, the surgeon examines your scalp, confirms the graft estimate and draws the hairline with you in front of a mirror. The donor area is trimmed short.
After local anaesthesia, follicular units are removed individually with a fine punch and sorted by the number of hairs they contain.
Grafts are placed with implanter pens, controlling angle, direction and depth so the new hair follows natural growth patterns.
The clinic reviews the area the next day, carries out or demonstrates the first wash and gives you written aftercare instructions and medication if prescribed.
Some tightness, mild swelling around the forehead or eyes and small scabs around the grafts are common. You sleep with your head slightly raised and follow the clinic’s instructions for the first gentle wash, usually the day after the procedure.
The small crusts soften and come away with careful washing. Redness fades gradually. Many people return to desk-based work in this window, though more physical jobs may need longer.
Most transplanted hairs shed. This is an expected phase: the follicles stay in place beneath the skin and enter a resting period before regrowing.
New growth usually starts to appear, often fine and uneven at first, then gradually thickening.
The result is usually assessed at around a year. Density at the crown can take longer to mature than at the hairline.
Timelines vary between people. Always follow the aftercare instructions from your treating clinic.
Not in general. Each technique suits different situations. The surgeon recommends the approach that fits your donor area, the size of the zone to treat and your goals.
The donor area is usually trimmed short. Whether the recipient area also needs shaving depends on the plan; ask about it during your review.
Most graft-based procedures are planned around three nights: arrival and pre-procedure checks, the procedure day, and a review with the first wash before you fly. Your coordinator confirms the exact schedule once the clinic has set the date.
The price depends on the plan the surgeon recommends after reviewing your case, mainly the area to be treated and the technique. You receive a written, itemised quote before anything is booked, with no obligation to proceed.
Share your details and a coordinator will reply with clear next steps. There is no obligation to proceed.
This page is general information, not medical advice; a treating clinician confirms your plan after assessment. ELAVIA Global coordinates care; clinical evaluation and treatment are delivered by independent, licensed partner facilities and their specialists.