For some years now, the alternative of hair transplantation has been strongly positioned among those who wish to recover the hair they had in their youth. Thus, the DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) technique has emerged and is presented as a modern, safe and effective method in the field of trichology. Therefore, in today's article we will tell you what DHI hair transplantation is and how it is performed.
Thanks to the naturalness of the results obtained with this method, those interested in undergoing hair transplant surgery prefer it as a first option. However, can we affirm that all patients are good candidates for this method? What are its distinctive characteristics compared to other techniques?
The hair transplant with the novel DHI technique is considered and catalogued as one of the most effective, since it allows greater precision and control to be applied at the moment of implantation. Let's see how it is performed.
First of all, the donor area is established and marked, that is, the part of the scalp from which the follicular units (FUs) will be extracted and implanted in the recipient area. The follicular units are then extracted one by one with the help of a precision instrument called a micromotor.
It should be noted that the experience and training of the professional involved in the extraction are key factors to achieve a homogeneous and well distributed extraction of follicles. In this way, not only will be taking care not to damage the follicular units, but also preserving donor capital for the future.
Then, it is at the moment of implantation that we appreciate the great advantages of the DHI technique, since it manages to implant one by one the follicular units in a precise way, respecting the angle, pattern, direction and depth determined by the surgeon. In this way, natural results are obtained, thanks to which it is practically impossible to detect if a person has undergone a hair transplant procedure.
This instance of implantation is carried out with a specialized instrument for this practice called "implanter". This tool, which plays a fundamental role in the procedure with DHI, has a shape similar to a pencil, with a needle at the tip that will serve to carry the follicles and implant them directly in the desired area.
During this practice, the UF is first placed at the end of the implanter. This is done by carefully inserting the follicle into the hollow needle. The needle is then inserted, at the desired angle, into the scalp, and at the same time the new site is opened, the graft is placed by pressing downward.
With the use of this instrument, the hair transplant with DHI technique dispenses with the need to make the incisions where the UFs will later be placed. Instead, the implanter - thanks to the sharp-tipped needle - performs the incision and implantation in a single step.
Other placement techniques that do not use implanters, require that prior to implantation the incisions - or microchannels - are made where the UFs will later be placed.
It is important to point out that, in order to achieve a good survival of the implanted follicular units, they must fulfill a series of requirements before being considered optimal for implantation with the DHI method. Among them we find:
The follicular units to be implanted must be extracted from areas that are not affected by the action of DHT. In this way, they will not have the genetic code for androgenetic alopecia and thanks to this they will not tend to fall out after being transplanted.
They must be well hydrated to resist surgery and avoid their destruction during any maneuver.
The temperature of the graft and the time elapsed between its extraction and implantation are also factors of great importance.
According to the quantity of hairs that each follicular unit has, it will be destined to different parts of the head.
On the other hand, the quality of the patient's hair and the quantity available in the donor area will be determining aspects on the viability of the transplant. It will be important that the donor area has an abundant amount of hair, in order to provide the necessary follicular units without affecting its homogeneous aspect.
As you may have noticed, the DHI hair transplant technique offers great benefits that make it an excellent alternative if you are looking for natural results, a safe procedure and fast recovery. Among the advantages of hair surgery with DHI we can mention:
The main advantage of this method is the natural look that the implanted hair acquires. This is due to the versatility offered by the implanter when placing the follicle, the doctor can decide its depth, direction and angulation.
On the other hand, the DHI hair implant makes it possible to reduce the waiting time of the follicle outside the body. This is due to the fact that once the follicles have been extracted, they can be implanted directly, instead of waiting for the microchannels required by other techniques. This means that the hair does not suffer during transplantation and is in more favorable conditions for its survival.
Another benefit of the DHI technique is the reduction of scabs typical of this type of procedure. Thanks to the surgical characteristics of the implanter, the procedure is carried out in a more efficient and cleaner way, making the scabs almost imperceptible in most cases.
In addition, an advantage of this technique -which becomes important when the patient needs to conceal the intervention- is that it allows the transplant to be performed without shaving the recipient area. It should be clarified that it will be the doctor in each case, who will determine the feasibility of this practice, according to the characteristics of the hair and the needs of each transplant.
Thanks to its minimally invasive characteristics, this procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, without requiring hospitalization of the patient.
Recovery is relatively fast, and the patient can return to his or her activities a few days after the hair transplant with DHI technique.
Before choosing a hair transplant method, each patient should be evaluated by the doctor who will be in charge of the procedure. According to the characteristics of your hair, conditions of the donor area, number of follicular units needed, among other aspects, the professional will be able to recommend the treatment or intervention that offers the best results for the case in question.
At Clínica de Freitas, founded by Dr. Rafael de Freitas, we offer a first evaluation consultation totally free of charge, so that you can know your current condition and the solutions we can offer you. You will also be able to clarify all your doubts with the advice of highly qualified professionals.
We encourage you to beat time and start today to recover your lost hair.