The Do’s and Don’ts Of Wearing Make-Up Before & After Laser Eye Surgery

Our surgeons get asked a lot of questions about Laser Eye Surgery – one of the most common, though, is, “When can I wear makeup again?

Far from being a vain or unimportant question that many may take it for, this is actually a great question that is crucial to both the safety and ease of your recovery.

While Laser Eye Surgery is now the most commonly performed and one of the safest elective procedures in the world, it is important to remember that, it is still a surgical procedure. As such, there are certain precautions that you need to take before, during, and after treatment. Following these precautions will help to ensure you reach the desired outcome and minimise the chance of any setbacks or complications.

We know that our patients can’t wait to show off their beautiful peepers without glasses. That’s why we aim to make sure each and every patient is fully informed and prepared for their Laser Eye Surgery treatment – including when it comes to makeup.

Well, the quick answer is, no makeup 24hrs before, and 2 days to 2 weeks post-op, depending on your recovery. But, let’s go through in detail everything you need to know about makeup and Laser Eye Surgery.

Make-up Before Laser Eye Surgery

  • When attending your initial consultation, it’s recommended to have minimal eye makeup around your eyes. That includes mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow. A series of tests will be carried out on your eyes and any residue from makeup can affect the results.
  • Hot tip: If you can’t imagine life without your mascara, consider having your lashes tinted a week or so before the procedure to tide you over.

Make-up During Laser Eye Surgery

  • No makeup, including foundations, powders, blusher, mascara, eyeliner, or eyeshadow should be worn on the day of your treatment.
  • Eye make-up should not be worn for a minimum of 24 hours before surgery.
  • You should not wear any perfumes/aftershaves.
  • You should be clean from any lotions or moisturisers.
  • If you have eyelash extensions, they’ll have to be removed before your surgery and shouldn’t be replaced until at least two months following the procedure.

On Make-up After Laser Eye Surgery

  • It may be advised to avoid wearing mascara for up to two weeks following the treatment. We particularly recommend against wearing any type of waterproof mascara during this time as it can be more difficult to remove and can irritate your eyes.
  • The same rule goes for other eye makeup products that could end up in your eye. Products such as eye shadows and eyeliners should be avoided for at least a few days – and maybe up to a few weeks post-op.
  • You can start wearing light foundation or concealer on your face two days following the procedure. However, it’s advised to avoid areas directly surrounding the eye as it may contribute to irritation.
  • Powder-based foundations and blushes can be used after five days.
  • Eye creams and moisturisers (applied around the eyes) should be avoided for up to two weeks where possible.
  • Lotions can be used after two days, but the direct eye area and lids should be avoided.
  • When removing makeup, take extra care to be gentle around the eyes and avoid any harsh and aggressive rubbing motions.
  • Makeup tools are known to build up certain harmful bacteria, so it may be appropriate to purchase new brushes and products for use after your treatment.

Have a question concerning certain makeup or beauty products? Contact one of our knowledgeable and friendly clinic coordinators today. Trust me, we’ve heard it all before! Give us a call on 020 7224 1005 today.