Hair restoration comes with a lot of abbreviations. Clinic websites mention FUE, DHI, PRP, grafts and follicular units as if everyone knew them. Understanding these terms makes it much easier to compare offers and to know what you are actually paying for.
FUE – Follicular Unit Extraction
FUE is the most widely used hair transplant technique. The surgeon removes individual follicular units, small groups of one to four hairs, from the back and sides of the head with a tiny punch. These are then placed into small channels made in the thinning area. FUE leaves tiny dot scars that are hard to see with short hair.
DHI – Direct Hair Implantation
DHI uses the same extraction step as FUE, but the grafts are implanted with a pen-like tool, often called a Choi implanter. The pen opens the skin and places the graft in one movement, which gives precise control over angle and direction. It is popular for hairlines and for patients who do not want to shave the whole head.
FUT – Follicular Unit Transplantation
FUT, also called the strip method, removes a narrow strip of scalp from the back of the head. The strip is divided into grafts under a microscope. It can move many grafts in one session but leaves a linear scar, which is why most patients now choose FUE or DHI.
Graft and follicular unit
A graft is one transplanted unit of hair. Because one follicular unit can contain several hairs, the number of grafts is not the same as the number of hairs. Clinics usually quote prices and plans in grafts.
PRP – Platelet-Rich Plasma
PRP is made from your own blood. A small sample is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, then injected into the scalp. It is often offered after a transplant or as a separate treatment to support existing hair. Evidence is mixed, so ask what results the clinic expects and how many sessions are planned.
Donor area
The donor area is the back and sides of the head, where hair is genetically resistant to the hormone that causes pattern baldness. Its density limits how many grafts can be taken safely.
Shock loss
After surgery, transplanted hair and sometimes nearby native hair can shed temporarily. This is called shock loss and is usually followed by regrowth within a few months.
Hairline and crown
The hairline is the front edge of the hair, and the crown is the area at the top and back of the head. Each needs a different approach: the hairline relies on fine single-hair grafts at natural angles, while the crown needs grafts placed in a swirl pattern.
How to use these terms
- Ask which method will be used and why it suits you.
- Ask how many grafts are planned and how they were counted.
- Ask whether PRP or medication is included or extra.
- Ask who performs each step of the procedure.
Clinics that explain their methods and prices clearly, such as City Medical Centre, help patients compare offers without guessing what each abbreviation means.
