Upneeq in Denver
Is your appearance affected by tired-looking eyes? The very first non-surgical treatment for lifting the upper eyelids is here: Upneeq®. This once-daily eye drop helps your eyes look more refreshed, brighter, and more clear—here's everything you need to know.
Famous cosmetic injectables can help open up the lower part of your eyes, but Upneeq is the only product (save surgery) that can help open up the upper part of the eye.
Upneeq is a once-daily eyedrop, available by prescription only, that activates the levator muscle in the upper eyelid to help temporarily open your eyes wider. The eye drops also reduce redness to help your eyes appear more rested and clear. Results are visible about 5-15 minutes after placing eyedrops, and results last about 6 hours. While BOTOX can help open up the lower part of your eyes, Upneeq is the only product (save surgery) that can help open up the upper part of the eye.
Upneeq stimulates the Mueller’s muscle, which is located in the upper eyelid above the lash line, to contract. This muscle lifts the part of the lid that covers your eye as you blink, causing your eye to open more. On average, patients see about 1-2 mm of lift.
Upneeq can be used to temporarily lift low-lying eyelids. At our Denver plastic surgery office, we use Upneeq for two primary reasons:
You may be a good candidate for Upneeq if you are postponing (or uninterested in) eyelid surgery, but would like a subtle, short-term improvement in your eye appearance. You may also be a good candidate for Upneeq if you have low-lying eyelids after Botox injections; while this side effect will fade with time, Upneeq offers a convenient, quick improvement.
Upneeq comes in one-time-use vials, each of which contains enough drops for both eyes. Use the vial once, then throw it away to avoid cross-contamination.
No, Upneeq does not improve hooded eyelids—it simply opens your eyes a bit wider. Excess upper eyelid skin and fat may require an upper eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) to remove the excess tissues and tighten the area (Dr. Buford offers eyelid lifts here in our Denver office under local anesthesia).
Yes, you can use Upneeq if you wear contacts. Just be sure to wait 15 minutes after using Upneeq eyedrops before inserting your contacts.
For most patients in good health, Upneeq is very safe. At BEAUTY by BUFORD, we will talk with you about any history of certain conditions that could be affected by Upneeq, as well as any medications you take that may interact with Upneeq, before prescribing the eyedrops for you.
Importantly, Upneeq has the potential to raise your blood pressure, and may pose a risk if you have hypertension, hypotension, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease. It can also interfere with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, a type of antidepressant medication. Upneeq should not be used if you have untreated narrow-angle glaucoma, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, or Sjogren’s syndrome.
Side effects after Upneeq are usually mild and are uncommon: 94% of patients in clinical trials felt no discomfort whatsoever. Still, possible side effects include punctate keratitis, conjunctival hyperemia, blurred vision, headache, dry eye, pain where eyedrops were used, or eye irritation.
To learn if Upneeq could be right for you, schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Gregory A. Buford, MD, FACS, PCEO. Contact us at BEAUTY by BUFORD by calling 303.747.6719 or contacting our practice online.
With decades of experience, Dr. Buford has honed his skills to deliver exceptional results. Whether you're seeking to refine or rejuvenate your naturally beautiful appearance, Dr. Buford's personalized approach ensures that your needs are met with world-class skill and precision. Schedule a consultation today to put Dr. Buford’s expertise to work for you.
