I Look *So* Awake After Using This New At-Home Treatment
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When someone asks if I'm a night owl or an early bird, I usually say both. Sleep? Don't know her. This constant burning the candle from both ends means I have very tired, droopy looking eyes—no matter how much eye cream, color corrector, and concealer I layer on. Which is precisely why I was intrigued when I first heard about Upneeq, prescription-only eye drops approved for treating acquired blepharoptosis, a condition where the upper eyelid droops, explains optometrist Inna Lazar, OD. Some even refer to Upneeq as a nonsurgical eyelid lift... so yeah, I wanted needed to try it.
But there were a few things I wanted to know about Upneeq before testing it for myself, which is where Dr. Lazar's expertise came in. I asked her all about how Upneeq works and if it's safe, then hopped on Ro to see if I was eligible for a prescription myself (spoiler: I was!). Here's my full review after trying out Upneeq for a few weeks, plus key info straight from an expert.
Prescription
Prescription
ro.co
$199.00
What does Upneeq do to your eyes?
Upneeq "works by stimulating receptors in the muscles of your upper eyelid, specifically the Müller's muscle, which helps to elevate the upper eyelid and maintain that elevation," says Dr. Lazar. Essentially, it temporarily lifts your eyelid to help reduce drooping. It can be prescribed by optometrists, ophthalmologists, dermatologists, and various other medical practitioners, but it is not available over the counter or at drugstores.
A good candidate for Upneeq is anyone with acquired ptosis, meaning you have droopy upper eyelids as a result of age, Lasik or other eye surgeries, certain conditions like a stroke or tumor, nerve damage, or temporary drooping after Botox injections. But if you were born with drooping lids, then you likely won't notice a difference with Upneeq; only a blepharoplasty surgery can do that.
How to use Upneeq eye drops:
To use my Upneeq eye drops, I washed my hands, then grabbed one of the individual packets from my box, cut it open with scissors (sadly, there's no way to open without scissors or a knife—so keep that in mind while traveling), and twisted the top of the vial to break it open. Then, I just squeezed a drop into one eye, then placed a little pressure on the inner corner of my eye for a couple of minutes to stop the drops from running. I made sure to blink a handful of times too to help the drops ~integrate~ with my eyes and not feel teary. Then, I just followed the same steps on my other eye. It's honestly super simple.
Then I stared in the mirror, patiently waiting to see a difference in my eyes. It took about eight minutes for me to see the results take effect, which was faster than I expected! Some people see results in as little as five minutes, while others need a full 15 for Upneeq to work its magic, according to Dr. Lazar.
What are the bad side effects of Upneeq?
There aren't really any bad effects of Upneeq, in my experience. And for the most part, Dr. Lazar says there aren't very many potential side effects. The biggest con is that the results only last for 6 to 10 hours, which some might find frustrating. Some people also might experience watery eyes at first, but that generally goes away in in about 15 minutes. If you do notice any itching, burning, or redness, call your eye doctor or prescriber.
Is Upneeq safe long-term?
"Upneeq is generally safe," says Dr. Lazar, "however, patients with systemic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart problems, or eye conditions like glaucoma should consult their eye doctor." And if you notice any stinging, headaches, or blurry vision, definitely stop using Upneeq and call your eye doctor ASAP. And if you're wondering, yes, it's safe to use Upneeq every day, as long as you don't use it more than once in a 24-hour period.
Upneeq before and after:
How many hours does Upneeq last?
Upneeq lasts for six to eight hours, according to Dr. Lazar. In my experience, my eyes were lifted for most of the workday (I put the drops in at about 8 a.m. and noticed my eyes felt bright and wide-open by the time I came home, around 8 p.m.).
How much does a box of Upneeq cost?
A box of Upneeq can range from $170 to $230, depending on your provider, how many vials you get, and your location. Upneeq, unfortunately, is not covered by insurance, and it has be obtained by a specialty pharmacy, but it can sometimes be in certain medspas and doctors offices, says Dr. Lazar.
Final thoughts:
Upneeq definitely made me look more awake, giving my eyes a bigger, brighter look. Is it worth the prescription? For me, yes, because I don't have to use it every single day, which makes one box go a lot farther. And Dr. Lazar agrees: "Upneeq is an excellent medication for the right patients," she says. "It is often prescribed in my practice, especially for those who are not yet ready for eyelid surgery and only want a temporary ptosis treatment for events or work hours."
Meet the expert:
Inna Lazar, OD, is a board-certified optometrist based in Old Greenwich, CT where she founded her practice Greenwich Eye Care. Dr. Lazar is especially knowledgeable in treatments for dry eyes, myopia, and overall eye health.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with five years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from cleansing balms to eyelash serums to eyebrow serums. She’s an authority in all skincare categories, but became an expert on Upneeq after discussing it with optometrists and dermatologists and testing it on her own droopy eyelids.
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