When can I wear makeup after laser eye surgery?

When attending your initial laser eye surgery consultation please arrive makeup free to avoid smudging and to ensure test results are as accurate as possible.

If you wear individual false lash extensions these can be worn to the consultation but must be removed one week before your laser eye surgery and should not be reapplied until 8 weeks after surgery. False strip lashes can be applied four weeks post-surgery but should not be worn to any consultations.

On the day of the procedure no makeup should be worn including face makeup, skin lotions and perfume. We ask that you avoid wearing perfume as it can interfere with the laser energy delivered to the eye and affect the outcome of your laser eye surgery.

Your eye will be thoroughly cleaned prior to surgery, however it is recommended that you avoid wearing makeup on the day of your surgery.

After your surgery you should deter wearing eye makeup, for example, eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara, for as long as possible but you must wait at least a week after surgery. This is because small particles, fibres or liquids from the eye makeup could come into contact with your eye and increase the risk of you developing an infection. Wearing eye makeup increases the chance of your eyes becoming irritated and it may also impact the recovery of your eyes.

It is also recommended that you wait for a day or two before starting to wear face makeup such as foundation and lipstick. Powder-based products such as blushers or bronzers are best to be avoided for four to five days.

We suggest you do not use eye creams for about 2 weeks after surgery and any other products being applied near the eyes should be applied carefully.

We suggest that when you do start wearing makeup again that you buy new products and brushes, or thoroughly wash your brushes. Bacteria can cling to your used products and may cause your eyes to become infected.

You should also avoid touching your eyes themselves when putting your makeup on. It is also important you are careful not to rub or use excessive force on your eyes when removing your makeup, especially in the first few weeks after laser eye surgery as this can cause irritation.

In general, you can start re-applying eye makeup a week after surgery. This is also the time point at which all medications bar lubricants are stopped.