HairArchitect · Blog
FUE vs DHI: Planning Notes Before You Pick a Technique
FUE and DHI differ in how grafts go in, not in what you map on a hairline draft. Plan shape and density first. Pick technique with your surgeon.
Published · Updated
Written by HairArchitect Editorial Team · Planning & education content
Medically reviewed by Dr. Erkam CAYMAZ · Hair restoration surgeon
TL;DR
FUE: extract units, then open sites. DHI: often an implanter pen, no pre-cut slits in some setups. Same hairline sketch either way. Technique is OR detail, not consult detail.
| Ask at consult | FUE | DHI |
|---|---|---|
| Hairline singles | Sites, then grafts | Pen angle per graft |
| Daily graft count | Team size drives it | Often pitched as dense pack |
| Pre-op preview | Line and density map | Same map |
What changes in your planning app
HairArchitect draws zones, line shape, density targets. No FUE punch or DHI depth math. What and where in the app. How in the OR.
FUE and sibling unit methods still need the same plan: line design, donor safety, sane density targets. (PubMed — Follicular unit extraction overview)
Digital planning tools can set expectations. Extraction and implantation still need qualified medical professionals. (ISHRS — Hair Transplant Guide for Patients)
Is DHI always superior to FUE?
Acronyms on ads do not outrank graft handling and operator skill. Ask who sits at the chair for extraction and placement.
Should I plan differently for crown vs hairline?
Yes. Crown plans chase swirl and cover. Hairline plans chase single-hair fade. Split the zones.