How to Review Before and After Photos Critically: Clinic Technique Specialization Guide

Hair transplant clinics typically specialize in one or two techniques rather than offering all methods equally. Understanding each technique's strengths, limitations, and visual signatures helps you match the right clinic to your specific Norwood stage and evaluate their before and after photos with accurate expectations.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

The Three Primary Techniques Compared

FUE-Specialized Clinics

Follicular Unit Extraction is the most widely practiced technique globally. Clinics specializing in FUE have invested heavily in motorized or robotic extraction tools and high-volume workflow systems.

What FUE Specialization Looks Like in Photos

• Donor area: Scattered, nearly invisible dot scars when the hair is kept at least 3mm long. Shaved donor area photos reveal the extraction pattern.
• Recipient area: Natural-looking growth with varied angles and density. Quality FUE results show hairs growing in multiple directions, mimicking natural patterns.
• Hairline: Can be refined and natural-looking, though dense packing at the very front may require more grafts than DHI for the same visual density.

When to Choose an FUE Specialist

FUE is the best all-around option for most patients:

• Norwood 2 to 3: 800 to 2,200 grafts, easily achievable in one FUE session
• Norwood 4 to 5: 2,500 to 4,500 grafts, within single-session FUE capacity
• Norwood 6: 4,000 to 6,000 grafts, may require two sessions or a mega-session approach

FUE clinics that perform 5,000-graft sessions require experienced teams and extended operating times (8 to 12 hours). Ask how many grafts the clinic typically places in a single session and how many team members participate.

FUE Photo Evaluation Checklist

• Donor area photos show even extraction without visible patchiness
• No signs of over-harvesting (thin or see-through donor zones)
• Hairline photos show varied single-hair grafts at the front edge
• Multi-hair grafts placed behind the hairline for density
• Results shown for patients at various Norwood stages

FUT-Specialized Clinics

Follicular Unit Transplantation (the strip method) removes a strip of tissue from the donor area, which is then dissected under microscopes into individual follicular units. FUT specialization is less common than FUE but remains the preferred technique for maximum graft yield.

What FUT Specialization Looks Like in Photos

• Donor area: A thin linear scar running horizontally across the back of the head. Well-executed FUT scars are 1 to 2mm wide and hidden by hair at moderate lengths.
• Recipient area: Results are comparable to FUE because the same follicular units are transplanted. The implantation phase is identical.
• Graft quality: Microscopic dissection often produces cleaner grafts with less trauma than punch extraction.

When to Choose a FUT Specialist

FUT is particularly valuable for:

• Norwood 6 to 7 patients needing 4,000 to 7,500 grafts across multiple sessions. FUT preserves the donor area for future FUE extractions.
• Patients who keep their hair longer and can cover the linear scar
• Maximum graft yield cases where every available graft matters
• Combination approaches: FUT for the first session (4,000 grafts) followed by FUE for a second session (additional 3,000 to 5,000 grafts)

FUT Photo Evaluation Checklist

• Donor scar photos are included (not hidden)
• Scar width is documented (ideally under 2mm after healing)
• Multiple scar examples shown (not just the best outcome)
• Recipient results match the quality expected from FUE-level grafts
• Combination FUT + FUE cases documented for high-Norwood patients

DHI-Specialized Clinics

Direct Hair Implantation uses the Choi Implanter Pen to create the recipient channel and place the graft simultaneously. DHI clinics typically position themselves as premium providers.

What DHI Specialization Looks Like in Photos

• Hairline definition: DHI often produces very sharp, well-defined hairlines because the Choi pen allows precise angle and depth control during placement
• Dense packing: The single-step process can achieve tighter graft placement in small areas
• Limited coverage area: With a maximum of 3,500 grafts per session, DHI results typically focus on the frontal zone and hairline rather than full-scalp coverage

When to Choose a DHI Specialist

DHI works best for:

• Norwood 2 to 3 patients: 800 to 2,200 grafts focused on hairline restoration
• Hairline refinement: When the primary goal is creating a natural, defined front edge
• Patients who cannot shave: DHI can be performed without fully shaving the donor or recipient areas (though partial shaving may still be needed)
• Touch-up procedures: Adding density to previously transplanted areas

DHI Limitations to Watch For

• Maximum 3,500 grafts per session means Norwood 5+ patients (3,000 to 7,500 grafts needed) will require multiple sessions or should consider FUE
• Higher cost per graft due to specialized tools and slower placement speed
• Fewer grafts per session means the technique is less cost-effective for larger cases

DHI Photo Evaluation Checklist

• Results focus on hairline and frontal zone (where DHI excels)
• Graft counts match the 3,500 maximum per session
• Multiple-session cases are clearly labeled if graft counts exceed 3,500
• Norwood 5+ results are not presented as single-session DHI outcomes
• Dense packing is demonstrated in close-up hairline photos

Matching Your Norwood Stage to the Right Technique

How Specialization Affects Photo Galleries

A clinic that specializes in DHI will have the strongest results for Norwood 2 to 3 cases. Their Norwood 5+ results may be weaker because DHI is not the ideal technique for large-area coverage. Similarly, a high-volume FUE clinic may show excellent Norwood 4 to 6 results but less refinement at the hairline compared to a DHI specialist.

When evaluating photos, ask:

• Does this clinic's gallery heavily favor the Norwood stages that match their technique's strengths?
• Are higher-Norwood results from a different technique than the one being marketed?
• Do the graft counts align with what the technique can deliver per session?

Evaluating Clinics That Offer Multiple Techniques

Some clinics offer all three techniques. This can be an advantage, but verify:

• Does the same surgeon perform all techniques, or do different surgeons handle different methods?
• Can they show comparable quality across techniques?
• Do they recommend the technique that best fits your case, or do they default to their most profitable option?

Read the before and after photo review overview for the complete evaluation framework, and the technology and equipment standards guide for details on the tools used in each technique.

Find Your Recommended Technique

Start with a free Norwood assessment at myhairline.ai/analyze to determine your stage and graft range. Your classification directly indicates which techniques are practical for your case and helps you narrow your clinic search to specialists who match your needs.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a board-certified hair restoration specialist.