Essentially, a hair transplant involves redistributing scalp hair — the part of your scalp with healthy hair “donates” some of it to the balding part. While, seemingly, the process is quite simple and straightforward, there are different ways in which this “redistribution” can take place. In addition, the tools used can vary.
This has led to the development of different types and subtypes of hair transplants. Even though terminology can sometimes be confusing, here, you’ll gain a better understanding of the various hair transplant techniques offered by Longevita.
What Is Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)?
In follicular unit extraction, a small circular punch tool extracts individual clusters of 1-6 hair strands from the scalp — called a follicular unit or graft. These small “units” are then placed into the balding areas via small incisions.
Of all the different types of hair transplants, follicular unit extraction is the most popular technique in both men and women, according to the latest survey by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS).
To better understand FUE’s popularity, you need to know about another hair transplant method: follicular unit transplant (FUT). In FUT, too, individual hair grafts are obtained and placed into the scalp. However, “obtained” is the operative keyword here.
FUT doesn’t involve the use of a small circular tool to take the grafts out. Instead, a piece of hair-bearing skin is cut out from the scalp. From that, individual follicular units are cut out and transplanted into the scalp.
The reason why FUT is slowly falling out of favour is because this extraction process leaves a relatively prominent linear scar at the back of the scalp.
Moreover, FUT requires stitches, and the recovery time can be difficult and longer. For these reasons, between FUE vs FUT, the perception among many patients is that FUE is the best hair transplant technique.
What Is the Procedure for FUE Hair Transplant?
1. Extraction
A motorised punch tool takes out follicular units from the scalp under anaesthesia.
2. Site Creation
Small incisions are carefully made into the balding area(s) so hair grafts can be inserted.
3. Implantation
Grafts are fitted into the incisions with the help of forceps or tweezers for lifelong growth.
Who Is An Ideal Candidate for FUE?
If your answer to the following is “yes,” you might be a suitable candidate for FUE:
You don’t want to start over every day with wigs and/or hair fibres and want to restore your hair permanently.
You have enough healthy hair at the back and sides of your scalp that it can be extracted without leaving these areas bald.
You are in good health and don’t have unrealistic expectations. Remember, a hair transplant doesn’t “create” new hair or use fake hair. It just moves your own hair from one place to another, so don’t expect the overall density to be doubled.
Feasible for diffuse patterned hair loss. Unviable for diffuse hair loss affecting the entire scalp.
What Are the Pros and Cons of FUE Hair Transplant?
The following is a summary of the pros and cons of FUE hair transplant:
PROS
- Surgery is minimally invasive and does not require stitches.
- Does not leave a relatively noticeable linear scar.
- Allows for quicker and easier recovery than FUT.
- Allows you to wear your hair short without worrying about visible scarring.
CONS
- Can be more expensive than FUT surgery.
- Always requires shaving of the donor area.
- It extracts relatively fewer grafts from the donor site than FUT.
What Is Direct Hair Implantation (DHI)?
Direct hair implantation is a subtype of FUE surgery. As with classic FUE, grafts are extracted with a punch tool in DHI. However, the implantation phase — where grafts are inserted into the bald areas — differs due to the use of a special tool called the Choi Implanter pen.
By using this pen, both the creation and implantation steps of the surgery are performed simultaneously. But the main advantage of this pen is that it can provide more protection to the hair grafts by sparing them traumatic injury from forceps. This is particularly important as the grafts extracted from the scalp are quite delicate and need careful handling for healthy growth.
What Is the Procedure for DHI Hair Transplant?
1. Extraction
Individual grafts are extracted from the scalp using a motorised punch tool.
2. Graft insertion into Choi pens
A single graft is loaded into the Choi pen (at a time).
3. Site Creation & Implantation
The loaded Choi pen’s needle pierces the skin to open a “channel” in which the graft is then placed.
Who Is An Ideal Candidate for DHI?
If you’re eligible for FUE hair transplant, you can “upgrade” to direct hair implantation if you:
If you’re getting DHI, you will not need to shave your entire scalp. Only the donor area will be shaved, but depending on your hairstyle, you can still have discretion.
Choi pens improve graft survival rate and cause less trauma, which can contribute to the achievement of high-density results. Also, if you had a hair transplant before and want to improve density, Choi pens can implant newer grafts without causing damage to previously transplanted grafts.
Choi pens are less traumatic to the scalp, which allows it to heal more quickly.
What Are the Pros and Cons of DHI Hair Transplant?
The following is a summary of the pros and cons of DHI hair transplant:
PROS
- Doesn’t require shaving the entire scalp.
- Causes less scalp trauma and allows you to recover more quickly.
- Could help you achieve high-density results that might be even more natural-looking.
- Provides better protection to the grafts and ensures their improved survival rate.
CONS
- You can only get 3,000 grafts in a single DHI session.
- It is more expensive than traditional FUE.
- It might not always be suitable for those with curly hair.
What Is a Sapphire Hair Transplant?
Sapphire hair transplant is another subtype of FUE, which differs from traditional FUE in the instrument used during site creation. Where a traditional FUE uses blunt metal blades, in Sapphire hair transplant, sharp v-tipped blades made with sapphire are used.
While the switch might seem inconsequential, in truth, site creation is the most important part of a hair transplant as it determines how the hair will be placed into the scalp and the direction in which to grow. This, in turn, drastically impacts the aesthetics of the final outcome.
The advantage of using Sapphire blades is they create more precise, smaller, and cleaner incisions, allowing for more accurate placement of grafts. It is then helpful in creating very natural-looking results. Additionally, being sharper than a blunt blade, it is also less traumatic to the scalp.
What Is the Procedure for Sapphire Hair Transplant?
1. Extraction
Individual follicular units are taken out of the donor area using the punch tool.
2. Site Creation
Sapphire blade is used to make incisions where grafts will be inserted.
3. Implantation
With tweezers or forceps, grafts are placed into the tiny slits to take and grow.
Who Is An Ideal Candidate for Sapphire Hair Transplant?
Anyone who is suitable for traditional FUE can get Sapphire, but it’s a particularly attractive option for the following:
If you’re worried about your results not looking natural enough, Sapphire blades take care of this concern.
By causing less tissue damage and trauma, Sapphire hair transplant requires less downtime.
Since DHI sessions are limited to 3,000 grafts, if you want to get more, it can be done with Sapphire blades, which also allow for better graft survival like DHI.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Sapphire Hair Transplant?
The following is a summary of the pros and cons of Sapphire hair transplant:
PROS
- Sharp-tipped Sapphire blades cause less trauma and result in less downtime.
- Smaller, cleaner and more precise incisions give very natural-looking results.
- Allows you to get max grafts (around 4,000 or so) in a single session.
- Ensures an improved hair graft survival rate.
CONS
- It is more expensive than traditional FUE.
- Requires trimming of the donor and balding areas.
FUE vs DHI vs Sapphire: What’s the Difference?
To be sure of the differences between these treatments, take a look at the summary below:
Instruments
FUE
Punch tool, metal blades and forceps
DHI
Punch tool, forceps and Choi implanter pen.
Sapphire
Punch tool, Sapphire blades and forceps.
Procedure
FUE
Hair grafts are extracted with a punch tool, incisions are made in the balding areas with metal blades, and grafts are placed into them.
DHI
Hair grafts are extracted with a punch tool and incisions, and graft placement are both done at the same time with the Choi pen.
Sapphire
Hair grafts are extracted with a punch tool, and incisions are made in the balding areas with Sapphire blades. The grafts are then placed.
Benefits
FUE
No linear scar like FUT, so short hairstyles can be worn with ease. It’s also minimally invasive and doesn’t require stitches — unlike FUT.
DHI
An improvement on traditional FUE that affords more protection to grafts, improves their survival rate, ensures high-density results, and speeds up recovery.
Sapphire
An improvement on traditional FUE that allows for implantation of max grafts in a single session, improves graft survival rate, gives very natural-looking results, and makes recovery quicker.
Limitations
FUE
Relatively slower recovery than DHI and Sapphire, requires shaving of the donor and recipient areas and can be more traumatic to the scalp.
DHI
More expensive than traditional FUE, and each session is limited to 3,000 grafts.
Sapphire
More expensive than traditional FUE and requires the thinning area to be trimmed as well, unlike DHI.
What Are the Recovery and Aftercare of Hair Transplant?
The recovery and aftercare processes for FUE, DHI and Sapphire are similar, except in the case of the latter two, the healing is faster. You might have to take 2-3 days off work, but make sure to discuss with your doctor.
Your grafts should be secure in your scalp after 2 weeks. However, hair growth won’t start until 3-4 months postoperatively. And before that, you can experience a type of “shock” hair loss, but it’s only temporary and a normal part of the hair transplant recovery process.
To make sure you achieve the best results from your surgery, you will also be given aftercare instructions from your surgeon. A few of them might be as follows:
- Sleep with your head elevated
- Stay out of the sun
- Don’t go into a swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi or sunbed
- Carefully wash your scalp (as instructed) to get rid of scabs
- Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol
This list is not exhaustive, but you will be given comprehensive aftercare instructions for your hair transplant by your surgeon. With Longevita, a 12-month aftercare program is included in the treatment plan, which includes regular follow-ups. You can get in touch with our Aftercare team at any time via [email protected].
It’s important to stay patient after the surgery. Your hair growth will take place slowly but surely, and you will be able to enjoy the final results after 12-18 months for a lifetime.
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Frequently asked questions
Follicular unit extraction, or FUE, is the latest advancement in techniques for hair transplantation. It eliminates the need for stitches and cutting out a piece of skin from the scalp. There have also been developments in the instrumentation used for FUE, leading to the emergence of its newer subtypes.
Flexible payment plans and financing options are available for hair transplants. Longevita does offer them to patients so they can pay for their surgery more conveniently and according to their own budget.
Where the average cost of a hair graft in Turkey is around £1, it is £4 in the UK. While for a very small area, the price might not seem so high, a 5,000-graft hair transplant cost in the UK, for example, can be as high as £20,000.
Turkey’s hair transplant cost has made it a popular choice for this procedure. However, in addition to the affordable prices, patients also receive excellent treatment from highly experienced surgeons in world-class facilities.
As India’s cost of living is lower than Turkey’s, you can find more affordable options there. Still, there are certain high-end clinics (where a single hair graft may cost as much as £2-£3), which could make the hair surgery cost in India higher even than Turkey in some places.
