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.
READ MORE: What happens if you wear makeup after microneedling?
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 any makeup until 24 hours after Botox. [1]
What Happens If I Wear Makeup After Botox?
There’s absolutely nothing 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 the Botox could accidentally spread to nearby muscles.
Applying makeup could put pressure on 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 that you could develop 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 that have 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.
TRY READING: How to Cover Age Spots on Face
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 really, really urgent, you could wait 4-6 hours, but ideally, you should only wear makeup 24 hours after treatment.
RECOMMENDED: Are LED Makeup Mirrors Bad for Your Eyes?
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 – mostly under an hour – because there is no anesthesia.
Once you leave the clinic, resume your daily activities immediately. In fact, many people find lunch break on the day of injection the perfect time for Botox appointments.
2. Stay in an Upright Position
As you return to your normal routine, it is advisable that you 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 some gentle facial exercises such as frowning, smiling, and raising your eyebrows immediately after Botox. These exercises help you assess the results of the treatment sooner.
4. Consult your Doctor
It is advisable to consult your doctor after Botox treatment. You could ask about the medications to avoid, the current medications to stop taking after the treatments, and how long after the treatment you can resume them.
5. Go makeup Free
You have recently learned how to cover dark spots on your face and are excited to try out the technique. But hey, immediately after Botox, you need to 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 even fatigued after the Botox injections but, hey, you want the best results, right? Avoid your bed or that sofa that tempts you to lay down.
Do not lay 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, great! 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, it is advisable to have a hat on and/or sunscreen. 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 that you will get bruised after the injection3.
5. Avoid Blood Thinners
Blood-thinning medications increase your risk for 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 allow the toxin to settle in uninterrupted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Does Botox Work?
Botox temporarily prevents muscles from contracting hence smoothing out facial wrinkles and preventing new ones from forming. This gives you a youthful appearance.
Can You Wash Your Face After Botox?
Experts recommend waiting at least 24 hours to wash your face after Botox. The 24-hour wait allows the toxin to settle in uninterrupted.
How Long Until Botox Takes Effect And How Long Does It Last?
Botox starts taking effect 72 hours after the injection, although the full effect comes about 2 weeks after the injections. The effects can last for 3-6 months. [4]
What Are Some Of The Side Effects Of Botox?
Some minor side effects include headache, flu-like symptoms, pain in the neck, redness, swelling, and bruising at the sites of injection.
How Long After Botox Can I Shower?
You can only take a hot shower 24 hours after Botox, just as soaking in a hot tub, sitting in a steam shower, or cleansing your face with hot water.1
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
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Olaf Bieschke is a senior year medical student from Charité University of Berlin in Germany. He has gained professional experience in various hospitals and offices in Germany, Belgium, France, Poland, Brazil and Spain. Currently working on a dr. med. title thesis in neurosurgery. You can find more about him HERE. Follow him on LINKEDIN AND FACEBOOK
