How Long After A Hair Transplant Can I Workout?

Is It Safe To Exercise After A Hair Transplant?

Strenuous exercise is strictly discouraged soon after a hair transplant. Workout causes your body to sweat and strain. So, it has a negative impact on final results. Here are some risks;

Sweating

During exercise, your body metabolism increases and this results in profound sweating. It causes itching of the scalp which becomes very sensitive after a transplant. Moreover, perspiration also makes your scalp vulnerable to infection.

Dislodgement Of Grafts

New grafts take time to get settled. During the first five days after transplant, there is an acute phase of healing and grafts are susceptible to getting dislodged. Exercise causes body movements posing a greater risk for dislodgement. So, you must be extra cautious during the first week.

Direct sunlight

Exercises like running, jogging, etc and most athletic sports involve direct exposure to sunlight. This sunlight causes drying of scabs that results in itching of the scalp. Hence, it is recommended to avoid such sports and exercises.

Straining

The exercises which cause straining and stretching of the neck like sit-ups increase pressure on the scalp and thus elevate chances of graft popping out. These exercises are particularly discouraged after FUT, as the stitches may tear up eventually leading to bleeding.

Infection

Like in any other invasive procedure, infection is a major risk factor after hair transplant. Gyms are public places and tend not to be very clean. During workout, you may touch your implant site and transfer dirt and germs predisposing it to infection.

So, gyms are not usually recommended during the first couple of weeks after a hair transplant.

See Also: Infected Hair Transplant Follicle

Head injury

During exercise, you might encounter some trauma to your head. Head injury can result in total failure of transplant.

When To Workout After A Hair Transplant?

If you are habitual of daily workout, it would be very difficult for you to take a pause from your habit. You would definitely want to return to your routine as soon as your grafts heal. However, it is recommended to get back to exercise step by step.

Although the recovery time may vary in different individuals, here are general guidelines about when you can resume workout after a hair transplant.

1st Week After A Hair Transplant

There are two phases of recovery after a hair transplant i.e, acute phase and late phase. The acute phase usually lasts for 5 days and during this period, the grafts may be dislodged very easily. So,

• During The First Five Days, you should rest as much as you can. If you can’t sit back, a light walk is usually advised as it promotes circulation. But, keep your exercise as minimal as possible.
• After 5 Days, reintroduce small steps of light exercise.

2nd Week After A Hair Transplant

In the second week, mild to moderate exercise that doesn’t cause straining is permissible. This includes;

• Walking
• Gentle stationary cycling
• Light yoga
• Light body stretching

2 Weeks After A Hair Transplant

After 2 to 3 weeks, strenuous exercise is usually allowed. You can do pull ups, running, weight lifting, etc. However, while lifting weight you must be careful that your head shouldn’t press too hard against the equipment.

1 Month After A Hair Transplant

Contact sports like football, boxing, swimming and rugby are permissible after 4 to 6 weeks. Particularly swimming must be avoided in the first 4 weeks because chlorinated pools may damage hair follicles.

Similarly, fresh water pools have a greater number of bacteria and thus the odds of infection escalate.

Exercise Precautions After A Hair Transplant

Hair transplant is a once in lifetime procedure. You can’t get it done every other day. Here are certain precautions you must take while doing exercise after a hair transplant;

• Avoid Brisk Walking – Don’t walk too fast during the first seven days as it increases sweating.
• Monitor Heart Rate – If you notice an increase in your heart rate and blood pressure during workout, avoid such exercises in the first week.
• Notice Swelling – Some swelling of the scalp is common after surgery. But, if you notice increased redness and swelling while doing exercise, stop and consult your doctor.
• Dab Gently – After exercise, carefully dab to dry your scalp. Don’t wipe it as it may tear new hair roots.
• Balanced Diet – Restricting exercise may interfere with your fitness goals. Take a balanced diet to cover up lack of exercise.
• Wash Scalp – After an exercise, it is better to wash your scalp with a mild shampoo to get rid of sweat and dirt.
• Cool Environment – It is preferable to exercise in a cooler environment as it decreases perspiration.
• Consultation – Consult your doctor from time to time.