One of the most common questions that a female patient may ask after any form of facial cosmetic surgery is…how soon can I apply makeup? While that time period will vary based on the type of facial procedure you have had, a general rule is that cosmetics may be applied as soon as the incisions have healed. This is usually about a week after surgery. The one exception to that is if you have had a facial laser skin resurfacing procedure. The skin takes longer to re-epithelize so any cosmetic application should wait at least ten days to fourteen days. As a quick aside, coloring your hair (after a facelift or browlift) should wait for about three weeks after surgery.
Camouflaging cosmetics may be used to hide bruising and scars so one can get out the house quicker. Bruising will go through a classic phase of color changes for weeks after surgery. Initially bruising appears as black and blue. But as the blood breaks down and is absorbed, the color spectrum will change as it transitions into yellow and then eventually a light green color. (this is the spectrum of colors as hemoglobin breaks down) In the face, gravity will pull these bruising colors downward. So what was once on the face can find itself in the neck. Once was once in the neck will find its way onto the sternum and chest. To counteract these colors, apply a small amount of neutralizer on the opposite side of the color wheel to the color of the bruising…green to counter redness, yellow to hide purple bruises and purple to cover yellow discoloration. Mineral-based makeup can make cover-up even more effective due to their more uniform application and light reflective ability.
Keep your makeup routinue simple. Don’t use bold colors that will draw attention to your scars and face. Use a more muted natural look. If bruising and discoloration is present, use a neutralizing toner as suggested before your foundation. Then sponge on mineral makeup or your regular foundation that matches your natural skin tone and blend carefully. A translucent powder helps set the foundation and gives a soft natural look.
When it comes to washing your face, use a gentle cleanser that does not contain alcohol and is non-foamy. It is important to get off one’s daily make-up application each night. Since surgery can make dry skin more dry and oily skin more oily, gentle moisturizers and astringents may be needed.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana