FUE vs. DHI vs. FUT: Which Technique is Right for You?

Introduction

In this article, we will provide a detailed comparison of FUE vs. DHI vs. FUT, helping you understand:

  • How each technique works,
  • The recovery process and results,
  • The advantages and limitations of each method,
  • Which technique might be the best fit for your specific condition.

Hair loss, which has been increasing in recent years, occurs for many different reasons. These may be genetic factors, drugs used, chemical applications, social, economic and psychological factors, but as a result, it is a situation that affects everyone. In this case, thanks to developing medicine and technology, it is also possible to achieve very natural and realistic hair by performing a hair transplant procedure.

In recent years, clinics that specialize in hair transplant and put an end to the hair problems of many people, including abroad, have started to open in our country. Hair transplant is among the aesthetic procedures that everyone prefers with its different techniques and methods. Hair transplant, which is performed with many different techniques, is mostly preferred with FUE, DHI and FUT techniques. Apart from this, procedures such as hair prosthesis, which are simpler and not permanent methods, are also used as an alternative, but they never replace a professional hair transplant procedure.

CriteriaFUE TechniqueDHI TechniqueFUT Technique
PopularityMost popular for the last 15 years.Newest technique; often combined with FUE.Older method; popularity has decreased.
ProcedureHair follicles are extracted one by one using micromotor devices or manual punching, then placed individually.Hair follicles are extracted with FUE and directly transplanted using special pens, performing channel opening simultaneously.A skin strip with hair roots is removed from the nape area, and hair follicles are extracted from it.
Tools UsedMicromotor devices, manual punching.Special transplant pens for simultaneous extraction and placement.Surgical removal tools and stitching for skin removal.
Recovery TimeFaster recovery due to precise extraction and minimal scarring.Short recovery time, especially due to direct placement without extensive wounds.Long recovery time due to surgical incision and stitching.
ScarringNo visible scars; minimally invasive.No visible scars; preferred for thinning areas.Leaves visible scars on the cut skin.
Application AreasSuitable for both thinning and large balding areas.Best for thinning areas; may not achieve density in cases of complete baldness.Suitable for large bald areas but not ideal due to scarring.
DurationTime-consuming due to individual extraction and placement of follicles.Faster than FUE because transplanting and channel opening occur simultaneously.Relatively faster extraction but longer overall due to stitching and healing.
Advantages– Natural look.
– No scars.
– Uses the patient’s own hair.
– Efficient for small thinning areas.
– Shorter procedure time.
– No scars.
– Suitable for large-scale baldness.
Disadvantages– Time-intensive.
– May be challenging for larger areas.
– Limited effectiveness for complete baldness.– Long healing process.
– Leaves scars.
– Outdated compared to modern methods.
Patient PreferenceMost preferred technique.Increasing popularity due to faster results and effectiveness in thinning areas.Least preferred due to visible scars and long recovery.
Success RateHigh success rate with natural-looking results.High success rate, especially for small areas.High success rate but with notable limitations.

General Summary of FUE, DHI and FUT Techniques

Although hair transplant is generally preferred by men, it is also among the methods that women generally resort to. There are 3 current and most preferred techniques in hair transplant. Fue, Dhi and Fut techniques are popularly preferred methods in line with developing technology.

The Fue technique is among the most popular hair transplant techniques preferred for about 15 years. In this process, which starts with taking the hair follicles from the nape and collecting them one by one, micromotor devices or manual punching are applied. Then, after the roots are kept in a solution in a cold environment, the roots are placed one by one in the area where the hair transplant will be performed.

Since it is a one-by-one procedure, the process may be extended or shortened depending on how much area the hair transplant will be performed on. Although the procedure time is long and one-by-one challenging, it is still preferred a lot, especially because it provides faster recovery, does not leave any scars, offers a natural look, and is made from the person’s own hair.

The direct hair transplant procedure, which is the Dhi technique, is a hair transplant procedure performed directly. It is among the newest methods. It is a method generally used together with the Fue technique. In the FUE technique, the hair follicles taken one by one are transplanted with the DHI technique. Both channel opening and hair transplant are done at the same time with special pens. It provides successful results in a short time. It is also used in areas where hair loss is present, as well as in thinning areas. However, in cases of complete hair loss, the dense and desired transplant may not be achieved with this method.

The last popular technique, the FUT technique, is a method that dates back more than 20 years. Although its use has decreased due to the emergence of faster and more practical methods as technology develops, it is still used optionally in many clinics. This method is based on the removal of hair from the nape area between the two ears, along with the skin layer. Hair roots are taken from the skin that is cut approximately 3 cm and added to the application area. The cut area is then stitched. It is no longer preferred because it is a method with a very long healing process and much easier methods are available today. One of its biggest disadvantages is that it leaves a scar, especially on the cut skin.

While the success rates are high in all three techniques, there are also factors that affect patients’ preferences. The FUT technique, which is based on the cutting process, is preferred at a very low rate. The most common methods are the FUE and DHI methods. It is preferred for reasons such as both the results obtained and the absence of scars. Increasing demands also show that these techniques will maintain their popularity.

Differences in Techniques and Recovery Times

The preferred hair transplant method depends primarily on the patient’s demand. If there is no method that the patient particularly prefers, the appropriate method is determined by considering factors such as hair structure and hair density and the area to be transplanted. Although all of them provide hair transplant, they differ in terms of their features, techniques, recovery times and procedure times. The FUE technique is a manual-based procedure performed one by one, as the roots are collected one by one, then kept in a suitable place and then added to the area to be transplanted. Therefore, although it takes some time, it is one of the most preferred techniques. The reason for this is that the recovery period is much faster and it does not leave a scar.

The FUT technique, which dates back to very old times, is a method that leaves a scar because the roots are obtained by cutting the skin, taking the roots and then adding the skin to the nape area. Therefore, it has decreasing demands today. Both the scars that remain due to the skin cutting and stitching processes and the fact that it is a more painful procedure have caused this method to be preferred less. The DHI technique provides an easier and faster procedure than the FUE technique.

Therefore, it is among the most preferred methods because it is both the newest method and more practical. The recovery period is generally close to the FUE technique.

Cost Comparisons of FUE, DHI and FUT

As in every procedure, there is a serious cost situation in hair transplant procedures. Hair transplant fees vary depending on many factors, especially the preferred method in hair transplant, which is a very important process that requires both expertise and fine workmanship.

FUT technique is also the lowest method in terms of cost, especially because it dates back much further and has various difficulties in hair transplant. This method, which can still be preferred by those who want to make a more economical choice, is more suitable than other techniques despite both skin cutting and later suturing. The reason for this is that there are few preferable ones and there are disadvantages.

The most costly method is the DHI method. The fact that the FUE technique is a more advanced and faster version, saves time by performing many procedures at once, and is the method with the least hair root loss, makes it the most expensive hair transplant method.

Among all three techniques, the ideal method for those who want to be a little more economical and have a comfortable and natural appearance without leaving any scars is the FUE technique. Although it takes a little longer in terms of time, it is the most preferred hair transplant method, although it is more affordable in terms of cost and takes almost 5-6 hours because the roots are taken one by one and added to the relevant areas one by one.

The price is not determined only by the technique. The width of the area to be transplanted and the density to be preferred for the hair are also factors that are as effective as the method in hair transplant prices. Especially in the graft process, that is, in the tissue process taken from one area of ​​the body and then added to another area, factors such as the width of the area and the size of the procedure are also effective in determining the price.

Patient Opinions

When the opinions of the patients are generally taken into consideration, especially in the new methods FUE and DHI techniques, there is a high level of satisfaction due to the fact that the healing process is very fast and the resulting appearance is above expectations. The positive feedback of the patients at this stage is of course provided by the application and the team as much as the preferred method. Clinics that provide sufficient information in an expert and honest manner and do not see the job as just a trade, get very positive results both for the application and for their teams. This ensures that patients recommend it to their surroundings and that it becomes an increasingly preferred clinic.

Those who prefer the FUT technique are likely to complain of a little more pain compared to the other two techniques. However, the results obtained are satisfactory in each. An important factor here is that it leaves a scar. If the clinic also informs about this, there will be no problem with this method. However, since they are popularly both easier and less scar-free methods, the other two techniques are preferred more by patients and produce more positive results. If you also want to have hair transplant, try the method that suits you and make your decision accordingly. Thus, considering your hair structure, economic conditions and similar factors, the option that you will be most satisfied with is preferred.

Summary

  • FUE Technique: The most popular and preferred method for hair transplant, offering natural results without visible scars. It requires time but ensures faster recovery.
  • DHI Technique: A newer and efficient technique that combines extraction and transplantation in one step, ideal for thinning areas but less suitable for full baldness.
  • FUT Technique: An older method with a longer recovery period and scarring issues, now rarely used due to the development of more advanced techniques like FUE and DHI.