After an ARTAS robotic hair transplant, you can begin light walking immediately, resume gentle exercise at 2 weeks, and return to full-intensity training at 4-6 weeks. The timeline is similar to manual FUE since the ARTAS procedure creates the same type of donor-site wounds and recipient-site incisions.
This guide covers the exact exercise progression, the risks of returning too early, and how to modify your routine during recovery.
Why Exercise Restrictions Exist After ARTAS
The ARTAS system extracts follicular units using a small punch (typically 0.9-1.0mm), leaving hundreds of tiny circular wounds in the donor area. In the recipient zone, micro-incisions hold newly placed grafts that are not fully anchored to their blood supply for the first 7-10 days.
Exercise creates three specific risks during this window:
- Increased blood pressure can cause bleeding from donor and recipient sites, dislodging grafts
- Sweating introduces bacteria to healing wounds and can loosen crusts protecting new grafts
- Physical contact or impact can directly knock out grafts that are not yet secured
Graft survival rates for FUE (including ARTAS) are 90-95% when post-operative care is followed correctly. Premature exercise is one of the most common reasons patients lose grafts unnecessarily.
Week-by-Week Exercise Timeline
Days 1-3: Rest Phase
Allowed: Gentle walking around your home. Basic daily activities at a relaxed pace.
Avoid: Any activity that raises your heart rate above resting levels. No bending, lifting, or straining.
Why: Newly placed grafts are held in position only by the body's initial clotting response. They are extremely vulnerable to dislodgement. Your scalp will be swollen, and blood pressure elevation can cause oozing from extraction sites.
Practical tips:
- Sleep elevated at 45 degrees to reduce swelling
- Avoid bending to pick things up (squat down instead)
- Do not wear tight hats or headbands that contact the recipient area
Days 4-7: Minimal Activity
Allowed: Light walking outdoors (15-30 minutes). Gentle stretching without bending forward.
Avoid: Jogging, cycling, weight training, yoga (forward bends), and swimming.
Why: Grafts are beginning to anchor but are not yet secure. The donor-area scabs are still forming. Sweat and elevated heart rate remain risky.
Days 7-10: Standard FUE Recovery Milestone
By day 7-10, most ARTAS patients can return to desk work and normal daily routines. This is the standard FUE recovery window.
Allowed: Brisk walking. Light household activities. Returning to work (non-physical jobs).
Avoid: Gym workouts, running, sports, and heavy lifting.
Weeks 2-3: Light Exercise Returns
Allowed:
- Light cardio on a stationary bike or elliptical (moderate heart rate, no sweating heavily)
- Light resistance training with lower body only (no exercises requiring head-down position)
- Walking at a brisk pace for up to 60 minutes
Avoid:
- Running or high-impact cardio
- Upper body weight training (bench press, overhead press, pull-ups)
- Any exercise that causes heavy sweating on the scalp
- Contact sports
- Swimming (pool chemicals and bacteria risk)
Key rule: If you start sweating on your scalp, stop. Pat dry gently with a clean towel. Do not rub.
Weeks 3-4: Moderate Exercise
Allowed:
- Moderate cardio including light jogging
- Full lower body weight training
- Light upper body work (avoid exercises with heavy straining or Valsalva maneuver)
- Yoga and stretching (including forward bends, which are now safe)
Avoid:
- Heavy compound lifts (deadlifts, heavy squats, barbell rows)
- Contact sports and martial arts
- Swimming in chlorinated pools or open water
- Wearing tight helmets (cycling, climbing)
Weeks 4-6: Return to Full Training
Allowed:
- Full-intensity cardio including running, HIIT, and cycling
- Heavy weight training including compound lifts
- Most sports and recreational activities
Still avoid until week 6+:
- Contact sports where head impact is possible (boxing, martial arts, rugby, football)
- Swimming in open water (risk of infection until all wounds are fully closed)
Week 6+: Unrestricted Activity
All exercise restrictions are typically lifted at 6 weeks post-ARTAS. The grafts are fully anchored in their new blood supply, donor sites are healed, and there is no meaningful risk from physical activity.
If you had a large session (2,000+ grafts), your surgeon may extend specific restrictions. Always follow your surgeon's personalized timeline over general guidelines.
Exercise-Specific Guidelines
| Exercise Type | Safe to Resume | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Day 1 | Light pace only first week |
| Stationary bike | Week 2 | No heavy sweating |
| Jogging | Week 3-4 | Start slow, monitor sweating |
| Weight training (lower body) | Week 2-3 | Avoid straining |
| Weight training (upper body) | Week 3-4 | No heavy overhead pressing until week 4 |
| Heavy compound lifts | Week 4-6 | Deadlifts, heavy squats last to return |
| Swimming (pool) | Week 4-6 | Chlorine safe once scabs fully healed |
| Contact sports | Week 6+ | Surgeon clearance recommended |
| Hot yoga/sauna | Week 4 | Heat and sweating risk |
| HIIT training | Week 4 | Full intensity at week 5-6 |
Warning Signs to Stop Exercise Immediately
Return to rest and contact your clinic if you experience:
- Bleeding from donor or recipient sites during or after exercise
- Significant increase in swelling after activity
- Pain that worsens with movement (beyond mild discomfort)
- Signs of infection: increasing redness, warmth, pus, or fever
- Grafts appearing to lift or dislodge (especially in the first 2 weeks)
Nutrition and Hydration During Recovery
Your body is healing hundreds of micro-wounds while also establishing blood supply to transplanted follicles. Support this process:
- Protein: Aim for 1g per pound of body weight daily to support tissue repair
- Hydration: Minimum 2-3 liters of water daily
- Avoid alcohol: For at least 7 days post-surgery (thins blood, increases bleeding risk)
- Iron and zinc: Support wound healing (get levels checked if supplementing)
- Avoid creatine: May increase DHT levels; discuss with your surgeon
Plan Your Recovery Before Your Procedure
Knowing your Norwood stage and graft requirements helps you plan recovery time accurately. Larger sessions may require a slightly longer recovery timeline.
Get a free AI hair loss assessment at myhairline.ai/analyze to understand your current stage and graft needs before booking your ARTAS consultation.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a board-certified dermatologist or hair restoration specialist before starting any treatment. Individual results vary based on genetics, health status, and treatment adherence.