Rejuran Skin Booster Aftercare: Washing, Makeup, and Exercise
When can you wash your face, wear makeup, and exercise after a Rejuran skin booster or other PDRN injection? A guide to aftercare timing, product differences, and warning signs.
Written by ATTITUDE Clinic Editorial Team
On the day you get a Rejuran skin booster or another PDRN injection, questions come up naturally: "Can I wash my face tonight?" "What about makeup tomorrow?" "When can I exercise again?" You hear that a few days of aftercare matter more than the injection itself, but it's hard to know where to start. This article covers when to restart washing, makeup, and exercise after a skin booster, and the reasoning behind each.
The short answer first
After a Rejuran skin booster, washing your face is usually recommended from 4–6 hours after the procedure, gently. Makeup can start the next day, and on the day of treatment it's best to avoid intense exercise, saunas, and alcohol. Also avoid pressing hard on or massaging the injection sites. That said, timing varies with the product, injection depth, and bruising or swelling, so the instructions from your clinician right after the procedure come first. Sun protection should be kept up throughout the recovery period.
When and how should you wash your face?
A skin booster is an injection that delivers ingredients directly into the dermis. Because the needle passes through the skin, tiny channels form on the surface, and rubbing hard or using harsh cleansers before these channels close can increase redness or irritation. According to ATTITUDE Clinic's Re2O (hADM, human-derived acellular dermal matrix) guidance, washing is recommended from 4–6 hours after the procedure, gently. ATTITUDE Clinic column: collagen injections Rinse briefly with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser, and press rather than rub with a towel to dry. From the next day you can wash as usual, but it's better to postpone exfoliating or scrubbing products for a few days.
The American Academy of Dermatology advises not to touch the treated area for 3 days after filler injections unless your clinician says otherwise. AAD: filler consultation and post-treatment checks Skin boosters and fillers use different ingredients for different purposes, but the principle of leaving the injection area alone applies similarly. This means that the habit of your hands resting on the treated area can be more of an issue than washing itself.
Makeup and sun protection: when and how?
Makeup is possible from the next day. ATTITUDE Clinic column: collagen injections On the day of treatment, the skin surface is sensitive, and applying foundation or concealer can add irritation, while bacteria on tools can enter the channels. From the next day, start with a light base rather than heavy, occlusive products, and use clean brushes or puffs.
Sun protection comes before makeup. After treatment, skin can become more sensitive to pigment responses during recovery, so when going out, apply enough sunscreen and create shade with a hat or parasol. ATTITUDE Clinic column: collagen injections ATTITUDE Clinic's guidance recommends reapplying SPF 50+ carefully throughout the recovery period. The American Academy of Dermatology advises checking recovery time and when you can resume exercise, work, and social activities during your pre-treatment consultation. AAD: questions to ask before a cosmetic procedure When to start makeup is decided within this recovery window.
Why avoid exercise, saunas, and alcohol on the day?
Exercise raises heart rate and blood flow, which can increase swelling or bruising at the treated area. Saunas and hot packs raise skin temperature with heat, putting stress on recovering skin. Alcohol dilates blood vessels and disrupts the body's recovery response, so it's best avoided on the day of treatment for the same reason. ATTITUDE Clinic's Re2O guidance also advises avoiding intense exercise, alcohol, and saunas on the day of treatment, and avoiding massage or strong pressure on the injection sites. ATTITUDE Clinic column: collagen injections
A light walk or everyday walking is usually fine, but cardio that makes you sweat heavily or heavy weight training is better started a few days later. When to resume exercise depends on the degree of bruising and swelling, so judging by how you look the next day rather than on the day itself is more realistic.
Why do aftercare rules differ for the same skin booster?
Skin booster is not one product but an umbrella term for treatments that do different things in the skin. Some induce collagen production, some directly replenish structural components, and some send regeneration signals to cells, and injection depth, volume, and needle gauge also differ. So when to restart washing and makeup varies slightly by product and treated area.
ATTITUDE Clinic's treatment guide lists Rejuran, Juvelook, Re2O, SKINVIVE, Belotero Revive, Radiesse, Gouri, Hilo Wave, skin booster ("water glow" injection), PDRN (salmon DNA) injection, exosomes, and Dermashine among skin booster and injection items. ATTITUDE Clinic treatments and pricing Since each ingredient acts at a different layer with different expected changes, aftercare is not fixed as "it's a skin booster, so do this." If you confirm at consultation which product was injected at what depth, it becomes much clearer what to watch for during recovery.
Table 1 Why do aftercare rules differ for the same skin booster?
Directly replenishes ECM structure into the dermis
Thinned skin, loss of elasticity
No massage of injection sites, thicker feeling for a few days
Exosome combination
Sends regeneration signals between cells
Recovery support after laser or microneedling
Meaningful after treatments that open the surface, limited when applied alone
Swipe sideways to see the whole table.
In summary Wash gently from 4–6 hours after, makeup from the next day, and avoid exercise, saunas, and alcohol on the day. Not pressing or massaging the injection sites and blocking UV help recovery. Detailed timing varies with the product and injection depth, so follow the instructions given right after treatment.
If this applies to you
When a ceremony or photo shoot is 2 weeks away
If bruising or swelling remains after treatment, it can affect how you look on the day of the shoot. If you have a fixed date, it's better to finish treatment at least 2 weeks before and, in the meantime, keep up washing, moisturizing, and sun protection while watching the swelling go down. Makeup is possible from the next day, but rather than trying a new product the night before the shoot, it's safer to check your skin's reaction with a product you already use.
When you want ongoing maintenance treatments
Skin boosters are approached as a few sessions rather than a one-time treatment, with maintenance considered afterward. ATTITUDE Clinic's Re2O guidance also explains that it's usually planned over several sessions, that maintenance duration varies greatly between individuals, and that long-term data is still limited. ATTITUDE Clinic column: collagen injections Keeping to the interval between sessions helps maintain your recovery rhythm, so setting the next appointment in advance keeps your routine on track.
If your skin reddens easily or is sensitive
Even with the same product, redness or stinging can last longer if your skin barrier is weak. Tell your clinician about any history of allergic reactions, autoimmune conditions, or medications you take, and after treatment it's better to apply a mild moisturizer thinly several times. If redness doesn't fade after a few days or warmth increases, don't judge it yourself — contact the clinic.
If you're an international visitor on a short stay
If your stay is short, there may not be enough time to check your progress after treatment. At your pre-treatment consultation, it's good to confirm the recovery period needed, your flight schedule, and how to contact the clinic after returning home. Right after treatment, avoid long flights, heavy drinking, and intense exercise, and if bruising or swelling lasts longer than expected after you return home, inform a local medical provider or the clinic where you were treated.
Tell us before your consultation Your recent UV exposure and travel schedule, medications you take (including blood thinners), pregnancy or breastfeeding status, autoimmune conditions and allergy history, any past experience of prolonged redness or bruising from previous treatments, and dates when your skin condition matters, such as ceremonies or photo shoots. Also let us know if any skincare products you currently use contain retinol or exfoliating ingredients — this helps plan your aftercare.
How ATTITUDE Clinic proceeds
AI skin analysis record — Items such as skin moisture, elasticity, and pigment distribution are recorded with analysis equipment. This record is material for organizing your condition at consultation and does not replace a diagnosis on its own.
Consultation with the doctor — Looking at the record and your skin together, you decide which ingredient goes at what depth and how many sessions to plan. Reactions and recovery speed from previous treatments are also checked here.
Treatment performed by the doctor — The doctor performs the treatment directly according to the plan set at consultation. Injection depth and volume are adjusted by area, and the principle is not to recommend more treatment than needed.
Recovery and aftercare — You're advised on when to restart washing, makeup, and exercise after treatment, and progress is checked on how redness or swelling is subsiding. Sun protection and moisturizing are advised as the basics of the recovery period.
ATTITUDE Clinic operates on the principle of genuine products, accurate dosing, and fair pricing, and treatment and pricing items are listed on the treatments page. ATTITUDE Clinic treatments and pricing Skin booster and injection items can also be found in this guide.
Aftercare and side effects
Soothing — On the day of treatment, avoid saunas, hot packs, and hot showers, and let your skin rest in a cool environment.
Moisturizing — Apply a mild moisturizer thinly several times. Postpone exfoliating or irritating products like retinol for a few days. ATTITUDE Clinic column: collagen injections
Checking progress — Check whether bruising and swelling are decreasing and whether injection sites are raised or red. If there is pain or skin color change unlike usual, contact the clinic without waiting. ATTITUDE Clinic column: collagen injections
Common reactions are redness, stinging, swelling, tenderness when pressed, and bruising. Injection sites may feel thicker for a few days, and rarely nodules, infection, or allergic reactions can occur. ATTITUDE Clinic column: enlarged pores When combined with other treatments such as exosomes, itching, irritation, and rarely prolonged inflammation have been reported. ATTITUDE Clinic column: exosomes
If you have pain unlike usual or worsening pain, if the skin at the injection site turns white, mottled, bluish-gray, or black, or if you have vision changes, seek care immediately rather than waiting for your next appointment. Also contact the clinic if swelling, pain, or warmth continues for several days. ATTITUDE Clinic column: collagen injections
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash my face the evening of the treatment?
Usually, gentle washing with lukewarm water is recommended from 4–6 hours after. ATTITUDE Clinic column: collagen injections Before that, keep water off the area, and even when washing, avoid rubbing and finish quickly. Postpone strong cleansers or exfoliating products for a few days. Avoiding the habit of frequently touching the treated area also helps recovery. AAD: filler consultation and post-treatment checks
Can I wear makeup from the next day?
Yes, from the next day, but if your skin is sensitive, it's better to wait one more day or apply only a light base. ATTITUDE Clinic column: collagen injections Rather than applying foundation or concealer thickly, start with sunscreen and light products, and use clean brushes and puffs. On the day of treatment, not wearing makeup is the basic rule.
How many days should I rest from exercise?
Intense exercise, saunas, and alcohol should be avoided on the day of treatment. ATTITUDE Clinic column: collagen injections From the next day, start with light exercise based on how much bruising and swelling has decreased. Exercise that makes you sweat heavily or raises blood flow significantly can increase swelling, so it's better to lower intensity until the treated area stabilizes. Recovery time varies with the treatment area, so confirming it at consultation makes judgment easier. AAD: questions to ask before a cosmetic procedure
Is one Rejuran skin booster session enough?
It depends on the product and your skin, but it's often planned over several sessions rather than one. ATTITUDE Clinic column: collagen injections A single session can give temporary moisture or texture change, but methods aimed at collagen production or structural replenishment take time for effects to accumulate. Session interval and number are decided based on skin thickness, concerns, and response to previous treatments. Whether to have one session or continue over several is decided by planning at consultation.
What should I look for at a skin booster consultation?
More important than the treatment name is what the consultation confirms for you. It helps to see whether they measure your skin condition and show it as a record, explain which product goes at what depth, and advise on side effects and recovery time. ATTITUDE Clinic column: enlarged pores If you weren't satisfied with a previous treatment, before changing products, check whether the number of sessions, interval, concerns, and ingredients were a match. The American Academy of Dermatology advises that results depend heavily on the practitioner's skill and experience, so who performs the treatment and with what experience is also something to check. AAD: questions to ask before a cosmetic procedure
At a glance
Table 2 At a glance
Item
Key point
Washing
Gently from 4–6 hours after treatment, no rubbing
Makeup
From the next day, start with light products
Exercise, saunas, alcohol
Avoid on the day, adjust based on how you look the next day
Injection sites
Don't press hard or massage
Sun protection
SPF 50+ carefully throughout recovery
Checking progress
Contact immediately if there's pain, skin color change, or vision change
This article offers general health information. It is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment based on your own condition, so please talk through your situation with a doctor.
