So you’re wondering, “Can I wear makeup after Botox?”.
Whew! At last, you got it! You just got home from the plastic surgeon after Botox, eager to wear makeup to enhance that smooth, youthful appearance.
Read on for tips on what to do and what not to do after botox.
Table of Contents
Can I Apply Makeup After Botox?
No, it is best to wait. Don’t be in a rush. Give your body time.
After your first treatment, you may notice some redness around the injection sites. This will gradually fade over time, but you may be able to cover it up with makeup if necessary.
If there’s bruising or swelling, wait until this subsides before applying any foundation or concealer.
How Long After Botox Can You Wear Makeup?
Experts recommend waiting 24 hours after Botox to apply makeup, although if it is a matter of extreme urgency, you could wait 4-6 hours. The 24-hour window allows the injection sites to close up.
Dr. Nyla is a multiple award-winning skin and cosmetics specialist who has personally performed over 100,000 successful cosmetic treatments. She advises her patients to avoid using makeup until 24 hours after Botox. [1]
What Happens If I Wear Makeup After Botox?
Nothing is wrong if you wear makeup 24 hours after the Botox injections. However, if you apply makeup before the 24-hour window, there is a chance that Botox could accidentally spread to nearby muscles.
Applying makeup could pressure the facial muscles as you rub/massage your face. This spreads the toxin beyond injected areas, such as the eye muscles.
If the toxin spreads to the eye muscles, you could experience eyelids dropping. [2]
Another awful thing that could happen is developing skin irritations and infections. The irritations come from the bacteria entering the body through the openings in the injection sites.
Remember that the makeup paraphernalia – the sponges and brushes – carry a lot of bacteria.
This is the same reason why if you ask, “Can you wear makeup after a facial?” the answer is ideally no, until after 24 hours.
The bacteria in the makeup tools could enter through the open pores as you apply makeup.
There could also be contaminants in the makeup, particularly those already expired. As a result, you could develop skin irritations and infections.
Nobody wants to have dropped eyelids or skin infections and irritations after their Botox appointment, right? Stay off makeup until 24 hours after treatment.
Is It Okay to Wear Makeup After Botox?
It is perfectly OK to wear makeup after the Botox procedure. However, you need to take a break from makeup for 24 hours.
If it is urgent, you could wait 4-6 hours, but ideally, you should only wear makeup 24 hours after treatment.
What Can You Do After Botox?
Are you wondering what to do after Botox? Here are a few things you can do to ensure you get the best out of your Botox treatment.
1. Return to your Normal activities
Botox injections require a very short time for the procedure – mainly under an hour – because there is no anesthesia.
Once you leave the clinic, resume your daily activities immediately. Many people find lunch break on the injection day the perfect time for Botox appointments.
2. Stay in an Upright Position
As you return to your routine, you should remain in an upright position for the initial 4-6 hours. This will ensure that the toxin does not spread to unintended areas.
3. Gentle Facial Exercises
You can do gentle facial exercises such as frowning, smiling, and raising eyebrows immediately after Botox. These exercises help you assess the results of the treatment sooner.
Who says you can’t have your yoga and botox too? In this video, we’ll show you how to practice face yoga even if you’ve had botox injections:
4. Consult your Doctor
It is advisable to consult your doctor after Botox treatment. You could ask about the medications to avoid, the medications to stop taking after the treatments, and how long you can resume them.
5. Go makeup Free
You recently learned how to cover dark spots on your face and are excited to try the technique. But hey, immediately after Botox, you must let your face stay as natural as possible.
Ignore the dark spots and control the urge to apply anything to your face. Just as with micro-needling makeup, it is best to wait until 24 hours after Botox to wear makeup.
What Not to Do After Botox?
You could also be wondering, “what should I avoid after Botox?” Here are a few things to avoid to ensure you reap the most benefits from your Botox treatment.
1. Do not Lie on your Face
You could be sore or tired after the Botox injections, but you want the best results, right? Avoid your bed or that sofa that tempts you to lie down.
Do not lie down for the first 4 hours. Find a position that exerts minimum pressure on your face.
2. Do Not Engage in Strenuous Physical Activity
You visit the gym every day, extraordinary! But sorry, you have to skip it after Botox.
It is recommended that once you have your Botox injection, you should avoid vigorous exercise. The facial expressions one makes during strenuous exercises could prevent the Botox from settling into the muscles properly.
If you must exercise, only go for a leisure walk.
3. Do Not Stay Out in the Sun
It is common to have redness on the skin, similar to micro-needling redness. Staying out in the sun could increase the time it takes for the redness and swelling to fade away.
If you have to go outside, having a hat on and sunscreen is advisable. Also, avoid tanning beds.
4. Do not take Alcohol
It is advisable to avoid alcohol before and after Botox. Alcohol thins your blood and increases the chance of getting bruised after the injection3.
5. Avoid Blood Thinners
Blood-thinning medications increase your risk of bruising and bleeding. The same case applies to NSAID painkillers and aspirin.
6. Do not Wash or Rub your Face
Rubbing your face irritates the injection sites, prolonging the time for the redness to fade away. It could also cause bruising.
Also, avoid washing your face to let the toxin settle in uninterrupted.
Watch this video to learn what not to do after your injections from a professional dermatologist:
Be sure to also check out the informative articles “Is It Okay to Wear Makeup After a Facial” and “How Long After Microneedling Can I Wear Makeup” for some helpful insights and tips on post-treatment care. Take care of your skin, and stay beautiful!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Does Botox Work?
Can You Wash Your Face After Botox?
How Long Until Botox Takes Effect And How Long Does It Last?
What Are Some Of The Side Effects Of Botox?
How Long After Botox Can I Shower?
Conclusion
“Can I wear makeup after Botox?” You now know that, yes you can, but you need to wait 24 hours.
Once you get the injections, all you need to do is follow the guidelines listed above, relax and wait for the best results!
Can you wear makeup after botox? Let us know your opinion below!
References
- Dr. Nyla Medispa. Best Botox Aftercare. 2022. [Internet] Available from: https://doctornyla.com/best-botox-aftercare/
- Key, A. Dealing with Droopy Eyelids after Botox. 2020. [Internet] Available from: https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eyelid-droops-after-botox
- Entplsrgy. Can I Drink After Botox? [Internet] Available from: https://www.entfacialplastic.net/can-i-drink-after-botox/
- Brennan, D. What to Know About Botox Aftercare. [Internet] WebMD. 2021. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-about-botox-aftercare
