About two weeks for eye makeup, per FDA guidance.
The FDA advises stopping creams, lotions, makeup, and perfumes the day before LASIK and shows a recovery timeline with no eye makeup for two weeks after surgery. The reasoning is infection and mechanics: mascara and liner deposit debris along the lashes, and the rubbing needed to apply and remove them can disturb the healing flap. Face makeup kept away from the eye area is lower risk after the first days. When you resume, open new products, since old eye makeup harbors bacteria, and take it off gently without pressure on the eye. Your own surgeon's timeline overrides the general one.
What to do
Common questions
When can I wear makeup after LASIK?
Eye makeup waits about two weeks. The FDA's LASIK guidance is specific: no eye makeup from the day before surgery until two weeks after, because residue and debris along the lashes raise the risk of infection while the corneal flap is healing, and applying or removing eye makeup invites poking and rubbing, the two things the flap cannot tolerate early on. Face makeup like foundation is less risky once you can keep it well clear of the eyes, though most surgeons still suggest a few makeup-free days. When you restart, use fresh products rather than the mascara that was open before surgery, since old eye makeup carries bacteria, and remove it gently without rubbing the eye itself. Lipstick and brow products were never the issue. If your surgeon gave you different timings, follow theirs, because techniques and healing vary. And if your eye becomes red, painful, or blurry after restarting makeup, stop and call your surgeon rather than switching brands.