Fake DHI vs Real DHI: What You Need to Know Before a Hair Transplant
In recent times, many clinics have started claiming that they offer the DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) procedure. But what does this really mean? Is using an implant tool enough to call it DHI? We will break down what the real DHI technique is, how it works, and how to identify false claims.
Beware of Fake DHI Claims
In India, it has become common for new clinics to copy the DHI name and mislead patients, without knowing or following the actual process. If you book a hair transplant at such a clinic, it’s likely that:
- A doctor will only consult you during the sale,
- And procedure will be done by untrained technicians,
- No standard safety protocols will be followed,
- The clinic might shut down before you even go back for follow-ups.
Questions You Must Ask Before Booking a Procedure
Always verify these key points:
- Who will perform the full procedure?
- What safety protocols are followed, and are they accredited?
- Can I verify how many grafts are actually implanted?
- What’s the doctor’s experience and training background?
- Are they trained and certified by DHI or any recognised authority?
Taking Legal Action Against Misuse of the DHI Name
These days, many clinics, especially in India, are using the DHI or Direct Hair Implantation name on their websites and social media content platforms in a misleading manner. They claim to offer the DHI technique, but in reality, they have no association with us and are simply using the name to fool patients.
We, the DHI Medical Group, hold the official patent and proprietary rights to the DHI technique. We are the only authorised organisation globally licensed to perform this. If any other clinic claims to offer “DHI” or “Direct Hair Implantation”, they are misrepresenting the technique and deceiving the public.
We are actively identifying clinics and doctors in India who are misusing the DHI name. We have already begun sending them legal notices, instructing them to immediately remove the term “DHI” from their websites, social media pages, and marketing materials.
Several well-known clinics have already been found using the DHI name falsely to attract patients, but after receiving our notices, they have now removed the DHI name from their platforms.
1. Eugenix Hair Science
This brand falsely offers unauthorized DHI techniques, breaching medical ethics by using sales-focused doctors while technicians posing as physicians perform procedures.
2. Evolved Clinic
This clinic rebranded to ‘DHF’ after legal action to continue misleadingly mimicking the DHI name despite lacking any authorization
3. Ryan Clinic
Despite legal actions forcing many to remove the DHI name, this clinic continues to mislead patients with deceptive social media content while lacking the necessary training for the procedure.
4. Origin Aesthetics
Origin Aesthetics misleadingly utilizes terms like DHI and DHT to promote unauthorized techniques, mirroring unethical branding shifts seen in other clinics facing litigation
5. Pristyn Care, Gurugram
Despite partnering with extensive hospital networks, Pristyn Care has faced ethical scrutiny regarding its commercial-first approach and unauthorized use of trademarked hair restoration terminology to attract surgical patients.
6. AKS Clinic, Gurugram
AKS Clinic utilizes the DHI name and “Direct Hair Implantation” branding without legal authorization, often misleading patients about the exclusivity of their techniques.
7. Livglam Anti-Ageing Clinic, Bengaluru
Livglam aggressively markets unauthorized DHI procedures, capitalizing on trademarked names to confuse the public while lacking official certification for these methods.
8. La Densitae Hair Transplant Center, Bengaluru
La Densitae continues to promote unauthorized hair restoration techniques under misleading labels, mirroring the deceptive branding shifts seen in other clinics attempting to bypass strict trademark infringement laws.
9. Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Hyderabad
While a major hospital chain, Apollo Spectra’s Hyderabad branch, has faced criticism for marketing generic FUE procedures under the DHI trademark without obtaining the necessary legal licensing.
10. Origin8 Aesthetic, Nagpur
Origin8 Aesthetics utilizes deceptive DHI branding to promote unauthorized techniques, following an unethical pattern common among clinics facing potential legal litigation.
11. Trichohom – Hair Transplant Clinic, Ahmedabad
Trichohom markets advanced hair restoration by mimicking trademarked terminology, potentially misleading patients regarding their actual training and authorization to perform specific, legally protected “Direct” implantation methods.
12. Dr. Rafaliya’s Clinic, Ahmedabad
Dr. Rafaliya’s Clinic has been associated with misleading branding and failed procedures, often utilizing unauthorized medical terminology to promise results that the clinic lacks the certification to deliver.
13. DNCC Hair Transplant, Ahmedabad
DNCC utilizes the “Bio-DHT” label to deceptively mimic authorized techniques, effectively confusing the public while employing commercial staff to drive sales for procedures performed by non-specialized technicians.
Now, let’s understand how many hair transplant techniques are available and how each one works.
Core Hair Transplant Techniques
There are only three scientifically recognised hair transplant techniques: FUT, FUE, and DHI. Any other methods you hear about are usually just variations or rebranded names based on these three.
1. FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation)
This is an old, traditional method where a strip of scalp is cut from the donor area. Each follicle is then separated and implanted into the bald area. It is painful, leaves a long scar, and has a longer healing period. Due to its outdated nature, this method is rarely used anymore.
2. FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction)
FUE gained popularity in India after being introduced by the DHI Medical Group in 2002. It later became widespread across Indian clinics, though many began using different names for it. FUE lacks standardised surgical protocols in many places, leading to low graft survival rates and unnatural results.
3. DHI (Direct Hair Implantation)
This technique was pioneered by the DHI Medical Group over 55 years ago in Greece and later spread across Europe. It officially came to India in 2008. Despite this, many clinics now falsely claim they perform DHI procedures without understanding or following the actual technique.
What Makes Real DHI or Direct Hair Implantation Different?
DHI Medical Group is the only authorised organisation globally to perform and certify this patented method. Here’s how the real DHI technique stands out:
1. Only Doctors Perform the Procedure
In true DHI procedures, a certified doctor carries out the entire procedure from start to finish. Technicians never touch the patient. Their role is limited to loading grafts into the implanter tool and assisting with logistics. Even these technicians are specially trained under DHI protocols.
Compare that to many Indian clinics where doctors become salespeople, make promises, and unqualified technicians carry out the surgery behind closed doors. This is why botched results and scary complications are so common now.
2. Global Training and Quality Control
All DHI doctors are trained at the London Hair Restoration Academy. Each procedure undergoes strict quality checks by the DHI Medical Director to ensure quality under standard operating protocols. Unlike other clinics, there is no complete documentation, no training process, no quality review, and no standards or protocols.
3. Highest Safety Standards
At DHI, every hair transplant procedure is conducted under strict safety protocols that are accredited by internationally recognised bodies such as the European Care Quality Commission (CQC). Only NABH-accredited hair transplant clinic in India, ranked No. 1 in the hair transplant industry in Times of India health and wellness survey, and ISO (International Organization for Standardization). These protocols ensure that each step, from consultation to post-operative care, is performed with maximum precision, hygiene, and patient safety.
In contrast, many clinics in India lack any standardised operating procedures. Often, there are no set guidelines for sterilisation, patient handling, or procedural workflow. In some cases, untrained technicians carry out critical parts of the procedure without supervision, significantly increasing the risk of infection, poor results, or long-term complications.
4. Industry’s Highest Graft Survival Rate
The DHI technique is renowned for achieving the highest graft survival rate in the industry, up to 90%, compared to the industry average of just 50%. Here’s how DHI ensures this:
Use of a Special Hydration-Preserving Graft Tray
DHI uses a specially designed graft preservation tray that keeps each hair follicle fully hydrated and protected throughout the procedure. Hydration is critical to preserving the health and viability of the grafts, which directly impacts the quality and longevity of the results.
Graft Sorting by Follicle Type
Unlike other techniques where all grafts are handled together, DHI carefully categorises grafts into single, double, or multiple follicle units. These are then strategically implanted in specific scalp zones:
Single-hair grafts are placed along the frontal hairline for a soft, natural appearance. Double and multiple-hair grafts are used in the mid-scalp and crown for density and volume. This precision ensures results that mimic natural hair growth patterns and aesthetics.
First-Out, First-In Implantation Order
DHI follows a strict “first extracted, first implanted” principle. The grafts are not piled up or left exposed. Each follicle is implanted in the same sequence it was removed, ensuring minimal time outside the body, crucial for graft survival.
In contrast, many clinics performing FUE place extracted grafts together in a common bowl, where they are left unprotected, exposed to air, and often dry out. These grafts are then implanted in random order, with earlier-extracted grafts potentially being used last. This careless handling significantly reduces graft survival rates and increases the chances of failed results.
5. Natural-Looking Results with Customized Tools
The DHI patented implanter gives the doctor full control over the angle, depth, direction, and density of your hair, no cuts, no stitches, no scars, no downtime, and guaranteed 100% natural-looking results.
And all factors are available only at official DHI clinics. Some clinics may claim to offer “DHI,” but if they’re not authorized, it’s not the real thing. Always check for official accreditation.