One of our most frequently asked questions post hair transplant question is: “how long after hair transplant can I workout?” Patients can resume exercise no sooner than 14 days after a hair transplant to reduce the risk of any exercise-related infections or complications.
When it comes to exercise after a hair transplant, we understand that many of our patients want to be able to get back in the gym or back onto the pitch as soon as possible. We’ve performed hair transplants for countless football and rugby stars, so we know just how important it is for them to be able to get moving again.
If you’re having a hair transplant procedure, you’re probably wondering what limitations you’ll need to abide by during the healing and recovery process. The truth is, that in the two weeks following your hair transplant surgery, you will need to exempt activities including sports, exercise and drinking alcohol.
In this article, we’re going to give you our advice when it comes to exercising post-surgery: what we recommend, what we would advise against, and how to safely get started without interrupting the healing process of your hair transplant.
Key Takeaways
- Wait at least 14 days before exercising: To avoid complications like scalp irritation, infection, and dislodging hair grafts, KSL Clinic advises waiting at least 14 days before starting any form of exercise post-hair transplant.
- Gradual resumption of exercise: Light movements such as leisurely walking are permissible after 7 days, while more strenuous exercises, including weightlifting, cardio, and swimming, can be resumed after 14 days, provided there are no signs of slow healing or scalp irritation.
- Avoiding risks for optimal results: Exercising too soon can lead to infections and dislodged hair grafts, negatively impacting the results of the hair transplant. Following the recommended recovery period ensures better outcomes and minimises complications.
Can I exercise after a hair transplant? Why not?
At KSL Clinic, we advise our patients to wait at least 14 days before beginning any form of exercise, which means no heavy lifting or strenuous exercise too. The reason for this is that exercising after a hair transplant can increase the likelihood of the following complications occurring:
1. Sweat-induced scalp irritation
When you exercise, you’re likely to sweat, and sweating is going to increase the chances of irritating your scalp. Don’t forget that your incisions are small little wounds on your scalp, so sweating is going to increase your chances of irritating the wounds and prolonging the healing process.
2. Infection
If you go to a gym during the healing process, you’re likely to encounter dirt, bacteria, and other nasty germs that can end up causing an infection in one (or more) of your hair grafts. Gyms aren’t exactly the cleanest of places – especially if you’re lying down to do mat work and your head ends up touching the floor. If you develop an infection, it’s going to end up prolonging your healing process, and even potentially dislodging several of your hair grafts.
3. Dislodging hair grafts
In the first few days following your hair transplant, you’re going to want to limit excessive movements as much as possible. Hair grafts are incredibly delicate and can be dislodged much more easily than you might imagine: jumping, running, or doing high-intensity movements will only increase your chances of dislodging your hair grafts and negatively impacting the final outcome of your results.
4. Straining during movements
You may think that doing small or slow movements (such as weight-lifting) might be better than jumping or performing cardio, but this simply isn’t true. When you perform weight-lifting movements or even muscular exercises such as squats and lunges, your body naturally strains to support itself during the movement. When you strain, you increase pressure in your head – this can lead to your hair grafts literally popping out and becoming dislodged.
In all circumstances, we highly recommend avoiding exercising in the first 14 days following your hair transplant treatment.
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What type of exercise can I do after a hair transplant?
So, what types of exercise can you do, and after how much time following your procedure? Here’s what we recommend.
7 days after your procedure
While we still don’t recommend any form of strenuous exercise during this period, light movements (such as leisurely walking) can be permitted, so long as you prevent your scalp from making direct contact with sunlight: sweating induced from sun exposure can irritate your scalp.
14 days after your procedure
Once it’s been 14 days after your surgical procedure, you can begin picking up more strenuous exercise once again, and you don’t need to be as cautious as you once were about sweating. You can do weightlifting, go to the gym and perform cardio exercises; including swimming and partake in any contact sports.
Remember to be cautious
While the above advice is a general guide, don’t forget that every hair transplant experience is different. You may find that your scalp is healing slower than normal, or that you develop scalp irritation at some point during your recovery period. If this is the case, it’s important that you contact us directly.
Don’t risk it
While it might be tempting to sneak in a quick gym session or go for a quick run before you’re advised to do so, we highly recommend waiting out the recovery period. The fewer complications you have during the recovery period, the quicker you’ll be able to resume sports, exercise, and your daily gym sessions.
Plus, you’re not just risking infection if you disregard these guidelines: you’re also putting at risk the results of your hair transplant altogether. If hair grafts become dislodged, or an infection interferes with the hair re-growth process, you might end up with patchy, uneven hair, or thinner regrowth.
It’s simple: if you’re going to be investing a lot of money into your image and appearance, you want to get the best results possible. Fight the temptation to exercise, and instead plan your post-recovery exercise regime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go swimming after a hair transplant?
No, You must wait the full two week recovery period, before going swimming after a hair transplant. Swimming after a hair transplant is not recommended for at least 14 days due to several reasons:
- Risk of Infection: Swimming pools, oceans, and other bodies of water contain bacteria and chemicals that can increase the risk of infection in the healing scalp. Even clean pools have chlorine, which can irritate the sensitive post-transplant scalp.
- Scalp Irritation: Chlorine and saltwater can irritate the scalp, potentially causing discomfort and prolonging the healing process. Fresh incisions are particularly susceptible to such irritants.
- Dislodging Hair Grafts: The physical activity involved in swimming and the pressure from water can dislodge newly transplanted hair grafts, negatively affecting the overall results of the procedure.
When can I start walking after hair transplant?
You can start walking after a hair transplant much sooner than engaging in strenuous exercises. Light walking can generally be resumed after 7 days. However, it is important to keep the following in mind:
- Avoid Sun Exposure: Ensure your scalp is protected from direct sunlight. Wearing a loose-fitting hat can help prevent sunburn and sweating, which can irritate the healing scalp.
- Avoid Excessive Sweating: Although walking is a light activity, be mindful not to overdo it to the point of sweating, as this can irritate the incisions and prolong the healing process.
- Be Gentle: Stick to gentle, leisurely walks and avoid brisk walking or any activity that might increase your heart rate significantly.
When can I lift weights after hair transplant?
As per our previous guidance, you should wait at least 14 days before lifting weights after a hair transplant. This is because strenuous exercise, including weightlifting, can increase the risk of complications such as:
- Scalp Irritation: Sweating during weightlifting can irritate the scalp and the healing incisions, potentially prolonging the recovery process.
- Dislodging Hair Grafts: The strain and pressure exerted during weightlifting can increase the risk of dislodging the delicate hair grafts, which can negatively impact the final results of the transplant.
- Increased Blood Pressure: Weightlifting can increase blood pressure, which might affect the healing of the hair grafts and the overall recovery process.
