Caring for Your Eyes After Laser Vision Correction

It’s an understandable concern — after all, saying goodbye to glasses or contact lenses means your eyes become a more prominent feature of your face, and you may be eager to return to your usual beauty routine.

However, during your recovery period, your eyes need extra care and attention to ensure they heal properly. Even gentle makeup application can cause irritation or increase the risk of infection if done too soon.

At Centre for Sight, patient safety and long-term vision outcomes are always our top priorities. In this guide, our experts explain how to prepare, when to resume using makeup, and how to safely remove it after laser eye surgery.

• Before Your Procedure

  In the lead-up to your consultation and surgery, it’s important to follow a few key steps to protect your eyes and ensure accurate test results.

  • Arrive makeup-free – We ask patients to attend their initial consultation without any eye or face makeup. This avoids smudging and ensures accurate readings during your eye assessment.

  • Remove contact lenses in advance – If you wear soft contact lenses, these should be removed at least one week before your consultation. For gas-permeable lenses, stop wearing them two weeks before your appointment. Contact lenses can temporarily alter the shape of your cornea and may affect test results.

  By arriving makeup-free and lens-free, we can evaluate your eyes in their natural state and plan your laser treatment precisely.

  On the Day of Your Laser Eye Surgery

  On the day of your procedure, no makeup or skincare products should be worn, including:

  • Foundation, concealer, or powder

  • Mascara, eyeliner, or eyeshadow

  • Skin creams or lotions

  • Perfume or aftershave

  While this may seem strict, there’s good reason. Perfume vapour, for example, can interfere with the laser energy used during surgery. Similarly, traces of makeup can introduce bacteria or particles that may affect healing.

  At Centre for Sight, our nursing staff will gently clean the eye area before surgery — but we still recommend avoiding makeup for two full days beforehand to reduce the risk of irritation or contamination.

  After Laser Eye Surgery

  The recovery period is when your eyes are most sensitive, and extra care must be taken when reintroducing makeup.

  Eye Makeup

  • Avoid mascara for at least four weeks. Mascara flakes can easily enter the eye, increasing the risk of infection or delaying healing.

  • Skip eyeliner and eyeshadow for the same period. Applying products close to the lash line or on the inner rim (waterline) can transfer bacteria to healing tissue.

  • Avoid waterproof products, as they are harder to remove and may require rubbing, which puts unnecessary pressure on the eyes.

  Face Makeup

  • Foundation can be applied two days after surgery, provided you avoid the eye area.

  • Powder-based products such as bronzers and blushers should be avoided for four to five days, as loose particles can irritate the eyes.

  • Cream-based products are generally gentler but should still be applied with caution.

  Creams and Lotions

  • Avoid eye creams for two weeks. Even gentle formulas can cause irritation if they enter the eye.

  • Other facial moisturisers or lotions can be used after a few days but should be kept well away from the eyes.

When it’s time to remove makeup, it’s crucial to be gentle — particularly during the first few weeks after surgery.

• Do not rub your eyes. Instead, use a soft, lint-free cotton pad with a mild, fragrance-free makeup remover. Dab and sweep carefully rather than scrubbing.

• Replace your old makeup and brushes. Bacteria can live on brushes, wands, and palettes, increasing the risk of infection. Treat yourself to new products after surgery.

• Avoid oil-based removers that can leave residue around the eyes.

• Be patient. If makeup takes a little longer to come off, resist the urge to press or rub harder.

At Centre for Sight, our clinical team can recommend suitable gentle cleansers and techniques to keep your eyes clean and comfortable throughout recovery.

If you have individual eyelash extensions, these can remain on during your consultation. However, they must be removed one week before surgery and should not be reapplied for at least eight weeks afterwards.

False strip lashes are not permitted before or during surgery but can be worn again four weeks after your procedure.

If you’d like to enhance your lashes while you wait, consider eyelash tinting before surgery as a low-maintenance alternative.

Your laser eye surgery is an investment in your vision — and it’s worth protecting. Following these simple guidelines will help your eyes heal quickly and safely while reducing the risk of complications:

• Follow all aftercare advice provided by your surgeon

• Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes

• Use prescribed eye drops as directed

• Keep your eyes clean and makeup-free for the recommended period

• Attend all follow-up appointments to monitor your progress

Once your eyes have fully healed, you’ll be free to enjoy makeup again — and you may find you need less of it now that your eyes are brighter and clearer than ever before.

If you have any questions about makeup after laser eye surgery, our team at Centre for Sight will be happy to advise you during your consultation or aftercare appointments.

We’re here to help you achieve the best possible results — both in your vision and your confidence.

Contact us today to speak to our friendly patient care team or book a consultation with one of our world-class laser eye surgeons.