Is It Okay to Wear Makeup After Getting Botox®?
Botox® injections temporarily turn back the aging clock. It’s natural to want to build on their work and put on your best face — literally — soon after Botox treatment.
But is that the right thing to do to ensure the treatment takes? Could makeup after Botox treatment be bad for your health?
On the first question, it’s complicated. On the second, the answer is “not really, but it’s complicated.” Here’s what you need to know about makeup after Botox.
Can You Wear Makeup After Botox?
Yes, you can wear makeup after Botox. However, you shouldn’t rush home (or to your car) to apply makeup right away.
The best practice is to wait at least four hours after receiving Botox treatment to apply any makeup to your face. The ideal wait time is 24 hours or more.
This gives your skin time to heal after treatment and reduces the risk of Botox side effects like itching, puffiness, redness, or infection.
You can wear makeup as normal within 24 to 48 hours of Botox treatment. Botox results typically last three to six months, and you’ll be in the clear that entire time. Just remember to observe the same precautions after your next treatment.
Where to Wear Makeup After Botox
If you do choose to apply makeup before 24 hours is up, try to avoid applying it over the injection sites. When makeup is applied to injection sites that haven’t completely healed, the risk of infection increases.
Post-Botox infection is not something to take lightly. It can cause serious local skin issues and possibly spread beyond the injection site. Many Botox-related infections require inpatient medical treatment, an expensive proposition that may also involve a lengthy recovery period.
Other Considerations After Botox
Botox is a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment with a favorable risk profile. Most patients don’t experience serious side effects after injection.
However, as with any medical procedure, pre- and post-procedure care are important. Here’s what you should keep in mind if you’re considering Botox:
- Work with an experienced provider and don’t self-inject. You should never self-inject Botox, and you should work with a board certified provider who has completed an accredited Botox training course whenever possible. Depending on where you live, eligible providers may include plastic surgeons, dermatologists, general practitioner physicians, and even your regular dentist.
- Listen carefully to your provider’s post-treatment instructions. Don’t tune out your provider’s post-treatment instructions. They’ll tell you to avoid alcohol for a day or two after treatment, to avoid rubbing or touching your face, and to watch the injection sites carefully for signs of infection.
- Avoid strenuous exercise immediately after treatment. They might tell you this as well. It’s best to avoid strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours after treatment, and possibly longer.
Avoid laying down immediately after treatment. You should avoid lying down for at least four hours after treatment. Ideally, you should wait until you go to bed in the evening to go horizontal.
