Can I wax my eyebrows after cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery is one of the most successful and common vision-restoring procedures performed worldwide. As with any surgical intervention, the recovery phase requires attention, especially when it comes to daily routines that involve the eye area — including something as simple as plucking your eyebrows. While often overlooked, eyebrow grooming after cataract surgery can impact your healing process if not done carefully.

Here’s what you need to know to protect your eyes and resume your beauty routine safely.

Plucking Eyebrows After Cataract Surgery

Immediately following cataract surgery, your eyes are vulnerable to infection, pressure, and irritation. Although the incision is small and no stitches are usually required, the surrounding area — including the brow — should be treated with extreme caution. Plucking or waxing your eyebrows too soon could disturb the healing process.

Key reasons to avoid eyebrow plucking right after surgery:

• Infection risk: Bacteria on your fingers or tweezers can migrate into the surgical area.
• Mechanical stress: Tugging on the skin may create tension near the incision.
• Unintentional rubbing: A sudden movement during plucking could cause you to rub or touch the healing eye.
• Eye strain: Tensing the facial muscles can increase intraocular pressure slightly.

What activities should be avoided after cataract surgery?

If you plan to use makeup after cataract surgery, you need to buy new makeup. This is especially important when it comes to eye makeup, such as mascara, eye shadow or eyeliners. These can easily transmit bacteria into your eye if you use old makeup.

Exercise can cause complications during your recovery. You are more likely to have an accident if you do something physically demanding. So take it easy for a while.

When should you not get your eyebrows waxed?

Your eyebrows should be plucked every 3 to 4 weeks. But this can be too frequent. When your eyebrows are too thin, misshapen or unbound, it usually means you need to take a break and let your eyebrow hairs grow out. Your eyebrows should not stand out but complement the shape of your face, so it’s important to know when they’ve grown out.

And that’s not the only reason to pluck your eyebrows again. We think you should totally pluck your eyebrows. To us, it’s crazy that people still wax with brown wax. It’s the fastest way to prematurely age your eyes and the aging process doesn’t want to be accelerated. Because of the very sensitive eye area, it is thought that waxing can damage the skin. Instead, waxing should be done, but be careful not to over wax.

You may see a few hairs grow back a few days after your first session, but that’s nothing to worry about. This simply means that during the procedure, your hair was not long enough. The purpose of your second appointment is to collect and remove this hair.

If your hair becomes irreversibly annoying, you can go much earlier. For each part of your body, the timing is different.

Expert Medical Recommendations on Cosmetic Care

According to post-operative guidelines from leading eye clinics and ophthalmologists:

• Avoid any facial beauty treatments, including eyebrow plucking, threading, or waxing, for at least four weeks after cataract surgery.
• Do not use eye makeup for a minimum of two weeks.
• Discard any used cosmetic tools or products from before the surgery to avoid cross-contamination.
• Keep eye hygiene a top priority to prevent complications like blepharitis or inflammation.

“I recommend that patients do not have any form of eyebrow or eyelash treatments for at least 4 weeks after surgery. This is to avoid putting any pressure on the eyes as almost all modern eye surgery is done without stitches.”

What are restrictions after cataract surgery?

Depending on the amount of post-operative inflammation, you will need these drops for a few weeks to a month. Be sure to use these eye drops exactly as prescribed.

Oral analgesics such as acetaminophen may be prescribed, if necessary. In general, however, you should experience only mild discomfort after cataract surgery.

For a safe and speedy recovery after cataract surgery, follow these tips:

• Do not drive the first day after surgery.
• Do not do heavy lifting or strenuous activity for a few weeks.
• Immediately after surgery, avoid bending over to avoid putting extra pressure on your eye.
• If possible, do not sneeze or vomit immediately after the operation.
• Be careful walking after surgery, and do not bump into doors or other objects.
• To reduce the risk of infection, avoid swimming or using a hot tub for the first week of your recovery from cataract surgery.
• Do not expose your eye to irritants such as dust, dirt, wind and pollen for the first few weeks after surgery.
• Do not rub your eye after surgery.

What happens if you don’t wear sunglasses after cataract surgery?

Everyone should protect their eyes from UV rays outdoors, before and after cataract surgery. In fact, UV protection can even slow the development of cataracts. Therefore, there is no specific time frame for wearing sunglasses after cataract surgery.

However, it is especially important to wear sunglasses diligently after cataract surgery during the first month of recovery, with the first four weeks of healing being the most sensitive period.

The doctor also uses eye drops to dilate your pupils during surgery, and they may remain dilated for about a week after surgery. When your pupils return to normal, they may shrink to prevent too much light from entering your eyes. In rare cases, the pupils may remain permanently dilated. Sunglasses can help reduce the extra sensitivity to light caused by pupil dilation and eye surgery in general.

But that doesn’t mean you can stop wearing sunglasses with UV protection once your eyes have healed. UV protection is needed outdoors, in the sun and in the shade. You should wear protective sunglasses all the time, it is a good habit with no time limit.

When Is It Safe to Resume Eyebrow Grooming?

Every patient heals differently, but most ophthalmologists agree on the following timeframes:

Cosmetic Action	Recommended Waiting Period	Notes
Plucking or tweezing	3–4 weeks	Wait until cleared by your eye surgeon
Waxing or threading	4–6 weeks	Higher risk due to skin pulling
Applying eye makeup	2 weeks	Use new products only
Tinting or lamination	After 1 month	If no complications arise
Using grooming tools	3 weeks	Only with proper disinfection

Even after this period, avoid over-stimulating the brow area. Always use clean hands, sterilized tools, and gentle techniques.

When can I get water in my eye after cataract surgery?

The first few weeks after surgery:

• You can take a bath or shower, but avoid putting water in or near your eye.
• You will usually have a follow-up visit with your doctor the day after surgery. Have someone drive you to your follow-up visit. Avoid driving until the doctor has verified that it is safe for you to do so.
• Wear dark sunglasses that protect against ultraviolet (UV) light when you are outside.
• Your eye may still feel a little gritty and/or sensitive to the touch for a few days after surgery.
• It is not unusual to experience glare and halos around lights for the first few weeks after surgery.
• Continue to use your eye drops according to the schedule your doctor has given you. Your doctor may recommend frequent use of artificial tears if your eyes are dry. Keeping your eye moist will help it heal faster.
• You should be able to drive, return to work and resume normal activities within a week of surgery.

How to Safely Pluck Eyebrows After Recovery

Once your surgeon gives you the go-ahead, here are best practices to follow:

• Disinfect tools: Soak tweezers in rubbing alcohol before and after each use.
• Groom in natural light: Avoid strong artificial lighting that may strain your healing eyes.
• Support the skin gently: Use minimal pressure when holding the skin taut.
• Never pluck near the incision: Stay away from the inner brow close to the nose bridge, especially on the operated side.
• Stop immediately if discomfort arises.

How long do you use drops after cataract surgery?

The use of eye drops during recovery from cataract surgery is a key part of the healing process. The team at our eye care center in Detroit, MI, would like to address some of the basics regarding postoperative eye drops for cataract surgery patients.

After cataract surgery, your eyes are vulnerable to infection and complications, which requires special attention. While sunglasses and proper rest will help you recover, eye drops will play a crucial role in protecting your eyes and preventing post-operative problems.

There are three types of eye drops that will play a role in the recovery from cataract surgery:

• Antibiotic eye drops
• Anti-inflammatory eye drops
• Lubricating eye drops

Risks of Grooming Too Early

The eye area is exceptionally delicate during the first few weeks post-surgery. Attempting to pluck eyebrows before the eye has healed may lead to:

• Redness and irritation
• Dry eye or delayed tear production
• Inflammation of the conjunctiva or incision site
• Scratched cornea from accidental contact
• Delayed neuroadaptation and visual recovery

“Whatever you do, never rub your eye. It may feel itchy or irritated, but rubbing can cause serious complications,” notes a post-op recovery guide from the Assil Gaur Eye Institute.

Can I wear makeup after cataracts?

Many cataract surgery patients want to know when they can start wearing makeup after laser cataract surgery. There is no set rule regarding waiting time; every patient is different. At a minimum, most patients should not wear any type of makeup (powders, foundation, or eye makeup) for at least a week after surgery. Some patients may have to wait a month after surgery.

If you wear makeup too soon after surgery, you run the risk that makeup particles and/or applicators will interfere with healing. You also run the risk of infection.

Don’t assume that your eyes are healed; always ask your doctor when you can start applying minimal makeup (eye shadow, eyeliner and mascara). You may also consider purchasing new eye makeup after cataract surgery to further reduce the risk of infection.

Additional Post-Surgery Guidelines That Matter

Your eyebrow grooming routine isn’t the only thing to be cautious about. A few essential reminders from your post-op care instructions include:

• Wear your protective eye shield at night for at least one week.
• Use prescribed eye drops strictly as instructed.
• Avoid dusty, dirty, or windy environments.
• Do not bend over or lift heavy objects for two weeks.
• Protect your eyes from sunlight with 100% UV-blocking sunglasses for up to a year.

These recommendations are designed to reduce inflammation, prevent infection, and promote long-term healing.

What happens the day after cataract surgery?

The day after your cataract surgery, your vision may be blurry or uneven. This is normal because your vision needs time to adjust and heal.

Most cataract surgeons will ask you to come in for your first follow-up appointment the day after your cataract surgery. It is extremely important that you attend this appointment.

This allows your surgeon to check how your eye is beginning to heal and if there are any complications or signs of infection. If there are problems, it is always best to detect and treat them early.

Should you wax the top of your eyebrows?

Not waxing over the top of the eyebrow is an old wives’ tale. Whenever possible, always pluck above the eyebrow for a smooth finish.

Tweeze to remove hair and pluck to shape. You should wax and dye your eyebrows every four weeks, depending on hair growth, but you should style them daily with eyebrow products to keep them neat and beautiful.

If your brows start, arch and end in the right place, your face will look balanced and structured. This is what we call “eyebrow reshaping” because it makes a big difference to your face.

To do this at home, grab a makeup brush and an eyebrow pencil. Start at the side dimple of the nose and hold the brush straight. Use the pencil to mark the height of your eyebrows. This is where your eyebrows should start. If the start is in the right place, your nose will look thinner.

For the arch, again hold the brush at the dimple, look straight ahead and tilt the brush over the pupil. Make a mark at the forehead. This is where the nose should be arched. If it curves in the right place, your eyes will look more open and you’ll create an instant lift!

For the end of the eyebrow, hold the brush at the dimple and tilt it toward the end of the eye. Mark the end of the brow. This is where your eyebrow should end. If the brow ends in the right place, your cheekbones will look more

What If You Experience an Eyebrow-Related Issue?

If you accidentally pluck too soon or notice swelling, itching, or blurred vision afterward, stop all grooming immediately and contact your ophthalmologist. Signs that warrant immediate consultation include:

• Increased redness or discharge
• Worsening vision or glare
• New floaters or flashes of light
• Persistent discomfort or foreign body sensation

Will eyebrows grow back after years of waxing?

After a hair has been plucked from the root, a new hair begins to grow in its place. Although it takes some time for the new hair to be visible on the surface of the skin – the eyebrow hair growth cycle can take four to six weeks – you can be sure that it will grow back.

The only reason the hair may not come back is if a follicle was damaged or traumatized during the waxing process. Repetitive and excessive hair removal is often to blame in this case.

As with hair removal, hair grows back more slowly because it has been pulled out at the root. Some people expect hair to grow back smoother and sparser after waxing, but others find that their hair grows back as regularly as it did before waxing.

TAKEAWAY

Eyebrow grooming might seem like a small concern after cataract surgery, but it’s one that deserves careful timing and proper hygiene. By waiting 3–4 weeks, following strict medical guidelines, and prioritizing eye safety, you can safely return to your beauty routine without compromising your vision recovery. When in doubt, always check with your eye doctor — your eyes are worth the extra patience.

FAQs

Can I pluck my eyebrows a week after cataract surgery?
No. You should wait at least 3–4 weeks and only proceed with your doctor’s clearance.

Is it okay to thread or wax my brows during recovery?
No. These methods are too aggressive during the healing phase. Wait a full month.

Can I use brow pencils or makeup to fill in sparse areas?
You should avoid any eye makeup, including brow products, for at least 2 weeks post-surgery.

Why is hygiene so important post-surgery?
The eye is more prone to infections after surgery. Tools or products that carry bacteria can trigger inflammation or complications.

What happens if I feel itching or irritation at the brow line?
Avoid scratching or plucking. Use cool compresses on the forehead (not on the eyelid) and call your doctor if symptoms worsen.

If you’re unsure about any part of your post-surgery routine, remember this rule: when in doubt, leave it out — and ask your eye doctor first.