ARTAS Robotic Hair Transplant: Recovery Process Timeline

ARTAS robotic hair transplant recovery follows the same timeline as manual FUE: 7-10 days for initial wound healing, 2-4 weeks of shock shedding, and 12-18 months to see final results. The robotic extraction method creates identical wound types to manual FUE (small 0.9-1.0mm punch sites), so the healing process is physiologically the same.

Here is the day-by-day and month-by-month recovery timeline.

Days 1-3: Immediate Post-Operative Phase

What to expect:

• Swelling in the forehead and around the eyes (peaks at days 2-3)
• Mild to moderate discomfort in both donor and recipient areas
• Small scabs forming over each recipient site
• Donor area may feel tight and tender
• Numbness in the donor area is normal and temporary

Care instructions:

• Sleep elevated at 45 degrees using a travel pillow or elevated pillows to reduce swelling
• Apply prescribed saline spray to the recipient area every 30-60 minutes while awake
• Take prescribed pain medication and antibiotics on schedule
• Do not touch, scratch, or pick at the recipient area
• Avoid bending forward, straining, or lifting anything heavy
• No alcohol, smoking, or blood-thinning supplements (aspirin, fish oil, vitamin E)

What the grafts are doing: Each transplanted follicular unit is sitting in a tiny incision held in place by the body's initial clotting response. There is no blood supply to the graft yet. This is the most vulnerable period.

Days 4-7: Early Healing

What to expect:

• Swelling begins to subside (may migrate down to the cheeks/eyes before resolving)
• Redness in both donor and recipient areas
• Scabs in the recipient zone darken and begin to harden
• Itching may begin as wounds heal

Care instructions:

• Begin gentle hair washing as directed by your surgeon (usually day 3-5)
• Use a cup to pour lukewarm water over the recipient area; do not use direct shower pressure
• Apply shampoo with gentle fingertip patting, not rubbing
• Continue saline spray regimen
• Light walking is appropriate; avoid gym activities
• Do not pick at scabs, even if they feel loose

Graft anchoring: Blood supply begins forming connections to the transplanted follicles. The grafts are more secure than day 1 but still at risk from physical contact.

Days 7-14: Scab Shedding Phase

What to expect:

• Scabs begin to fall off naturally during gentle washing
• Some transplanted hairs may come out with the scabs (this is normal and expected)
• Donor area heals rapidly; tiny punch marks begin closing
• Redness gradually fades but may persist for several weeks
• Most patients return to desk work during this window

Care instructions:

• Gently massage scabs during washing to encourage them to shed (after day 10)
• All scabs should be gone by day 14; if not, increase gentle washing
• Donor area can tolerate normal hair washing
• Avoid direct sunlight on the scalp; wear a loose-fitting hat if going outside
• No swimming pools, saunas, or hot tubs

Recovery milestone: By day 10, the grafts are anchored securely. The risk of dislodging a graft drops significantly. This is the point where FUE recovery is considered complete for daily activities.

Weeks 2-4: Shock Shedding Phase

This phase causes the most anxiety for patients, but it is completely normal.

What happens: The transplanted hairs fall out. This is called shock shedding or shock loss. The follicle remains alive and anchored in the scalp, but the hair shaft that was transplanted sheds as the follicle enters a temporary resting phase (catagen/telogen).

• 80-100% of transplanted hairs will shed
• The recipient area may look like it did before surgery, or even slightly worse
• Some patients also experience temporary shedding of existing native hairs near the transplant zone (rarely permanent)

What to do: Nothing. This phase is unavoidable. Do not adjust medications, panic, or contact your surgeon unless you see signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, pus, fever).

Months 1-3: Dormant Phase

What to expect:

• Very little visible change
• The recipient area appears similar to pre-surgery
• Donor area continues healing; small dot scars fade
• Some patients notice fine vellus-like hairs emerging toward month 3

This is normal. The transplanted follicles are building their blood supply and resetting their growth cycle underground. No visible growth does not mean the procedure failed.

Continue all medications: Finasteride (80-90% effective at halting further loss) and minoxidil (40-60% see regrowth) protect your native hair during this period.

Months 3-6: Early Growth Phase

What to expect:

• New hair growth becomes visible, starting as fine, thin hairs
• Growth is uneven; some areas sprout before others
• Hair texture may initially feel different (wiry, curly, or coarser)
• Density increases gradually each week

By month 6, most patients have approximately 50-60% of their final result visible. The hairs are still maturing, meaning they will continue to thicken and normalize in texture over the following months.

Months 6-12: Maturation Phase

What to expect:

• Significant cosmetic improvement becomes apparent
• Hair texture normalizes as shafts thicken
• Density continues to fill in, particularly between months 8-12
• By month 12, approximately 80-90% of final density is achieved

This is when most patients feel the procedure was worthwhile. Before-and-after photos taken at 12 months show the clearest difference from pre-operative baseline.

Months 12-18: Final Results

What to expect:

• Remaining 10-20% of density fills in
• Hair texture fully normalizes
• Final result is established

Some patients continue to see minor improvements up to 24 months, but the changes after month 18 are typically minimal.

Recovery Timeline Summary

Plan Your Recovery With Accurate Data

Understanding your graft count helps you plan realistic recovery expectations. Larger sessions may take slightly longer for full swelling resolution and scab clearing.

Get a free AI hair loss assessment at myhairline.ai/analyze to determine your Norwood stage and estimated graft needs before scheduling 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.