Standard FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)
FUE is the basic modern technique. Individual follicular units are extracted from the donor area with a small circular punch and then implanted into channels made in the recipient area.
FUE does not leave a linear scar. Most other techniques are variations of FUE — the main differences are what creates the recipient channels and how the grafts are implanted.
Sapphire FUE
Sapphire FUE uses blades made of synthetic sapphire instead of steel to open the recipient channels. Clinics that offer it describe the incisions as finer and the healing as faster; ask the clinic what evidence it bases this on.
Many Turkish clinics list sapphire blades in their packages. Whatever the blade, the surgeon's experience and how the grafts are placed remain decisive questions to ask about.
DHI (Direct Hair Implantation)
DHI uses a Choi implanter pen — a hollow needle that creates the channel and places the graft in one step. Clinics offering DHI say this shortens the time grafts spend outside the body and gives more control over the angle and direction of each hair.
DHI packages are often priced higher and sessions can take longer, so clinics tend to use it for smaller areas. Ask the clinic how many grafts it plans per session with DHI.
Which Technique Is Right for You?
Which technique suits you is a decision for you and your doctor after an examination. Clinics often describe Sapphire FUE for larger areas and DHI for the hairline, where direction matters most.
A hybrid FUE+DHI session uses DHI for the hairline and FUE for the remaining area. Ask your clinic not only which technique it offers, but how often its team performs it and who performs each step.