Prepare for an uplifting experience.
Not too long ago, I attended a webinar about a cutting-edge eye drop that claimed to make droopy eyelids look more open. Upneeq® treats acquired ptosis, which makes you look sleepy even when you’re not and can hinder vision depending on the severity. After reading all the information and closely examining the before and after pictures, I took the plunge and have been using the product for nearly 30 days. Spoiler: I just ordered a 3-month supply because it WORKS! Here’s what you need to know:
The Consultation
Upneeq® can be prescribed by any doctor, but I opted to do an online consultation with Dr. Wendy Lee who is a Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Dermatology at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Lee participated in the initial Upneeq® webinar, so I went directly to the source for my consultation.
During our 15-minute Zoom telemedicine call, she determined that I have mild acquired ptosis and that my left eye was more affected than the right. I also have excess skin due to aging, which can only be treated with a surgical eyelift, but Dr. Lee felt I was a good candidate for Upneeq®, so I ordered a 30-day supply and crossed my eyes fingers.
The Prescription
Unlike most prescription medications, Upneeq® is filled directly by RVL Pharmaceuticals and does not require or accept insurance. A 30-day supply costs $105, but if you opt for a 90-day supply, the price drops to $85 per month. RVL ships the medication directly to your door via UPS within 5–7 business days.
How to Use Upneeq®
I’ve been using Upneeq® once a day in the morning. I remove my contact lenses and place a single drop of Upneeq® in each eye then wait 15–20 minutes before reinserting my lenses. The instructions recommend creating a small pouch with the lower eyelid to insert the drop, but I’m virtually blind without corrective lenses and found it easier to just apply the drops like I would any other eye drop. Since there are only two and a half drops in each vial, it’s imperative that you get it right the first time. The disposable vials make it super easy to use in a sanitary way, too.
Physical Sensations
Because oxymetazoline hydrochloride causes the Müller muscles in the eye to contract to lift the eyelid more fully, you’ll notice a very slight tightening sensation when you first apply the drops. It’s not uncomfortable, just worth noting. While still very watery like regular eye drops, Upneeq® seems slightly thicker to me and fully coats the eye for several minutes. If you wear contacts, you’ll appreciate how moisturizing the drops are, especially if you sleep in your lenses (which I do).
Time to Results
According to the marketing information, some patients see results in as few as 15 minutes. For me, it took a little longer, but by the 30-minute mark, I looked more awake even though the difference was minimally noticeable to my husband. Throughout the day, I checked my eyes in the mirror, and the effects seemed to last a solid eight hours. Although Upneeq® is not intended to make the eyes look brighter, the drops seemed to quell the omnipresent redness I suffer from during allergy season. That’s a huge plus! For that benefit alone I’d remove my contacts daily to use these drops.
The Takeaway
For me, Upneeq® is worth the investment. Whenever I skipped a day, I noticed the difference. My eyelids felt heavier, and it was more of a struggle to look up without tilting my neck. The $105 trial proved effective and gave me a surprising boost in self-confidence. I wore less makeup as a whole and felt more comfortable when simply wearing tinted sunscreen and mascara. In closing, I just purchased the 3-month supply for $255, which is $20 cheaper per month. A traditional blepharoplasty is the only thing that will eliminate the excess skin I now recognize as a natural part of aging, but Upneeq® is a terrific short-term solution for my tired-looking eyes. If you decide to try it out, please let me know how it works for you.
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