Hair transplantation has changed dramatically over the last decade. The old "plug" look is gone, and today two techniques dominate the conversation: Sapphire FUE and DHI Choi. Both deliver natural, permanent results — but they suit different cases. Here's how we help international patients choose during a free consultation.
What is Sapphire FUE?
FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) removes individual follicles from the donor area at the back of the head and places them where hair is thinning. "Sapphire" refers to the sapphire-tipped micro-blades used to open the recipient channels — they create finer, more precise incisions than traditional steel blades, which means denser packing and faster healing.
What is DHI Choi?
DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) uses a Choi implanter pen to extract and place grafts in a single motion, without pre-opening channels. This gives the surgeon more control over the angle, depth and direction of each graft — ideal for the frontal hairline and for women, where precision matters most.
How many grafts will I need?
Most patients need between 2,500 and 4,500 grafts in a single session. A receding hairline might need 2,000–2,500; full-crown restoration can reach 4,500+. During your consultation we assess donor density from photos and give an exact graft plan before any deposit.
Is a hair transplant painful?
The procedure is done under local anaesthesia, so you feel no pain during surgery. Most patients describe mild tenderness for a day or two afterwards, easily managed with standard painkillers. You can walk out the same day.
Recovery and results timeline
- Day 1–2: consultation, hairline design, the transplant, then a medical wash and PRP injection to boost graft survival.
- Week 2–4: transplanted hairs shed (this is normal — the roots stay).
- Month 3–4: new growth begins.
- Month 6: ~60% of the final result is visible.
- Month 10–12: full thickness and styleable length.
Sapphire FUE vs DHI: which should you choose?
Sapphire FUE is better for large areas and maximum density in fewer sessions. DHI is better for refining hairlines, women's cases and smaller, high-precision zones. With modern techniques there is no linear scar — only thousands of tiny dot scars in the donor area, invisible even at very short hair lengths. We recommend the right one based on your scalp.
What does it cost in Turkey?
At Swedish Clinic, hair transplants start from €1,800 (Sapphire FUE) and €2,300 (DHI Choi) — a third of UK or German prices for the same European-trained surgical standard. The medical-side price is fixed and transparent; you receive a written quote within 24 hours.
