You are probably looking forward to your PRK surgery. You will finally get rid of the contacts or eyeglasses you have worn for ages. Yet, you may be curious about the dos and don’ts of caring for your eyes after PRK surgery. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery is a procedure performed by an ophthalmologist to correct vision by changing the outline of your cornea. The surgery typically takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes. To fully recover, it may take a couple of weeks to a month.

To give you an overview of PRK aftercare, this article will look at facial products you should avoid using until your eyes have healed completely.

Makeup

The thought of going without makeup can make you uncomfortable, especially if you like to wear it regularly. Yet, using makeup after going through PRK surgery can cause problems.

Foundation powder can slip into your eye and potentially trigger an infection. If you do not wear and take off your makeup in a gentle manner, you may have issues with your eyes. Most patients are advised to wait five to seven days or even two weeks before applying makeup again. However, your doctor will discuss this with you and make a recommendation according to your own situation. In some cases, the doctor will okay the use of makeup a couple of days after PRK.

Facial Creams and Lotions

Lots of facial creams and lotions contain chemicals that can harm your eyes. After PRK, your eyes become extremely sensitive and are easily irritated by foreign substances.

Generally, you should wait at least a week to apply any facial creams and lotions following the surgery. When resuming the use of lotions and creams, strictly follow your doctor’s guidance. Avoid applying these products directly above the operated area and areas around your eyes, including the eyelids. Remember to be careful around your eyes and avoid rubbing them aggressively when applying creams.

Eye Makeup and Eye Creams

If you struggle with puffy eyes or dark circles, you may have trouble staying away from your eye cream for a week or two. However, your favorite eye cream contains ingredients that may harm your eye.

To be on the safe side, avoid using eye creams for a month after PRK. The idea is to keep your eye safe from both eye creams and eye makeup because they can peel off and damage your eyes during removal. This can affect the healing process. Until your eye fully recovers, avoid all eye creams and makeup, including eyeliner, mascaras, eyeshadow, and eyelash extensions.

Hairspray and Dyes

Hairspray and dyes are slightly toxic, and unintentional contact with your sensitive eye can cause irritations and lead to eye damage. Therefore, reduce any risk of damage or infection by waiting a few days for your eyes to heal. Be sure to consult your eye doctor before you go back to using these products after your PRK surgery.

Find out more about care after PRK, visit Laser Vision Delaware in Wilmington, Delaware 302-656-2020 to book an appointment today!