“Ozempic face” is a phenomenon identified by Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, referring to the noticeable loss of facial fat following rapid weight loss, often aided by new medications like semaglutide (Ozempic).1 The change in facial appearance is a common adverse effect of any fast weight loss, where the reduction in facial fat can significantly alter one’s appearance. Understanding the effects of these medications on the skin is crucial for those considering or undergoing such weight loss treatments.
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What Is Ozempic?
Ozempic is a relatively new medication originally patented to treat type 2 diabetes. Ozempic for weight loss has become a popular treatment.
What Is Ozempic Face?
Ozempic face is a phrase used to describe a possible Ozempic side effect of a worn appearance that occurs to some individuals who use Ozempic and experience rapid weight loss over a short period.2 Losing weight quickly can give an aged appearance as it causes an increase in fine lines and wrinkles. During typical weight loss, the skin has time to shrink and adjust, however, with rapid fat loss, the skin does not have time to adapt and loses volume. The Ozempic face appearance is not exclusive to the use of Ozempic, anyone who experiences rapid weight loss can experience facial aging.
Fine lines and wrinkles occur naturally over time as we age due to loss of facial volume. But with Ozempic face, the changes in appearance occur after rapid weight loss. An individual who experiences an Ozempic face may experience fine lines, wrinkles, sunken cheekbones, and a look of gauntness.
Other adverse effects of Ozempic may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Reflux
How Weight Loss Changes the Skin
When an individual loses weight over a short period, they will usually experience loose skin as a result of skin fibers shrinking too quickly. This occurs because the skin is not given a sufficient amount of time to return to the pre-weight gain state.3
Skin is made up of collagen and elastin fibers. When these fibers shrink too quickly, the skin becomes saggy and loses its taunt look, causing saggy or hanging skin.4 Loose skin has nothing to do with nutritional or vitamin deficiencies but the rapid fat volume reduction with little time to adjust. Consuming a healthy whole food diet including vitamins can aid in skin recovery.
How to Prevent Ozempic Face
Our skin is an amazing organ and is able to stretch or shrink with weight gain or loss. As with any change, adjusting takes time. Due to the rapid way an individual loses weight with Ozempic, the body does not have the time to adjust to these changes. This in turn creates a gaunt, aged or starved facial appearance. But there are ways to prevent the appearance of Ozempic face.
Here are some strategies to avoid Ozempic face:
- Decrease your dosage under the care of a doctor
- Discontinue the medication under the care of a doctor
- Increase water intake by drinking 1-2 liters of water daily
- Improve your nutrition by increasing protein and maintaining a healthy whole food diet
- Exercise daily
- Make sure you get 6 – 8 hours of sleep
- Use fillers to aid with facial volume. Fillers are also used under the care of a doctor
How to Improve Your Skin’s Appearance After Losing Weight
Improving your skin’s appearance does not have to be difficult. There are ways to medically and naturally improve the appearance of skin after losing weight. When considering non-medical options for improving skin appearance, an individual should consider making lifestyle changes such as diet, hydration, moisturization, and limited sun exposure. Other non-medical avenues include massage, laser, and light therapies.
Should an individual consider the medical route to improving your skin’s appearance, a face or body lift can be effective. In fact, recent studies have shown that body contouring procedures enhance patients’ weight loss and may improve long-term body mass index (BMI) control.5
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Over-the-Counter Solutions to Improve Ozempic Face
There are many things that come with aging and rapid weight loss. One of these is loss of facial volume. According to Kathleen C Suszzi, MD, no current over-the-counter solutions aid with this loss of facial volume.6
Having a skincare routine that supports healthy and supple skin can reduce the look of Ozempic face and aging. Skin–care products that include retinoids are beneficial to improving your look. Retinoids are a group of compounds consisting of vitamin A and its derivatives. Retinoids are one of the most popular ingredients used in anti-aging treatments. Among the representatives of retinoids, tretinoin is considered the most effective agent with proven anti-aging effects on the skin and can be found in formulations approved as medicines for topical treatment of acne, facial wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.7
In-Office Cosmetic Treatments to Improve Skin After Weight Loss
Not only does weight loss improve overall health, it can restore confidence. Rapid weight loss comes with its share of challenges, one of which may be how you look. When faced with these challenges, there are in-office cosmetic treatments that can help restore your facial features after weight loss.
Common cosmetic treatments to improve skin after weight loss include:
- Dermal fillers: Dermal fillers reduce the look of fine lines and can restore facial volume. These treatments may need to be repeated every few months
- Laser resurfacing: Laser resurfacing works by removing the top layer of skin to rescue the signs of aging, while heated laser treatments send heatwaves beneath the skin to firm and tighten. These procedures will usually need to be repeated every 2-6 months.
- Radiofrequency or RF treatment: RF treatments use radiowave energy to tighten the skin. This procedure is costly but can last a few years with appropriate skin care.
- Fat transfer: Fat transfer is a surgical procedure where fat is taken via liposuction from an area of the body and transferred to the face.
- Face or neck lift: A face or neck lift is a surgical procedure used to improve the signs of aging. This procedure tightens the skin and underlying tissue, creating a more youthful appearance
- Microneedling: Microneedling uses tiny needles to prick the skin and promote collagen production.
When to Seek Professional Help
Struggles with body image issues come in many forms. Individuals who struggle with body image issues before taking Ozempic or any other weight loss aid may struggle with the way their body presents as a result of rapid weight loss. Replacing body image issues about being overweight with ones that include saggy skin and Ozempic face could lead to mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
Should you begin to experience issues with your mental health due to poor body image at any stage in your life or weight loss journey, it may be time to seek professional help. Online therapy is a great starting point for services. Online therapy is convenient as it eliminates the need to commute and is equally effective as in-person services. You can start your search for a therapist using an online therapist directory. If online therapy is not for you, seeing a provider in-person can also work.
Any cosmetic procedure should be carefully considered after speaking with your physician.
In My Experience
As someone who has lost and gained over 40 pounds, I understand the struggle to maintain a healthy body weight and image. Most recently, I considered the use of Ozempic as a means to jump-start, and even speed up, my weight–loss journey. I found that no matter the weight loss route, it remains important to learn yourself and what lifestyle changes you are willing to commit to before beginning your weight loss journey. Weight loss is not just physical, it can be a tough mental journey. Losing weight slowly over time will allow you the time you need to study yourself and your style. When you feel stuck, connecting to the right people is important, i.e., therapists, nutritionists, and trainers to educate and help you succeed. The use of Ozempic for weight loss is still fairly new, but with the help of your physician and other supports you will succeed. You do not have to do this alone.
Ozempic Face Infographics
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Kassel, G. (2023, April 13). Ozempic face: Why it happens and what you can do. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/Ozempic-face
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Ewumi, O. (2023, September 20). What to know about “Ozempic face.” Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/Ozempic-face
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Uitto J, Li Q, Urban Z. The complexity of elastic fibre biogenesis in the skin–a perspective to the clinical heterogeneity of cutis laxa. Exp Dermatol. 2013 Feb;22(2):88-92. doi: 10.1111/exd.12025. Epub 2012 Oct 23. PMID: 23088642; PMCID: PMC3556375.
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Baumann L, Bernstein EF, Weiss AS, Bates D, Humphrey S, Silberberg M, Daniels R. Clinical Relevance of Elastin in the Structure and Function of Skin. Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2021 May 14;3(3):ojab019. doi: 10.1093/asjof/ojab019. PMID: 34195612; PMCID: PMC8239663.
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Gallo JRB, Maschio-Signorini LB, Cabral CRB, de Campos Zuccari DAP, Nogueira ML, Bozola AR, Cury PM, Vidotto A. Skin Protein Profile after Major Weight Loss and Its Role in Body Contouring Surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2019 Aug 19;7(8):e2339. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000002339. PMID: 31592376; PMCID: PMC6756662.
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Groth, L., Migala, J., Petrarca, M., & Barrie, L. (2023, February 16). Ozempic face’: How weight loss changes the skin, and the treatments that can help. EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-skin/Ozempic-face-how-weight-loss-changes-the-skin-and-the-treatments-that-can-help/
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Milosheska D, Roškar R. Use of Retinoids in Topical Anti Aging Treatments: A Focused Review of Clinical Evidence for Conventional and Nanoformulations. Adv Ther. 2022 Dec;39(12):5351-5375. doi: 10.1007/s12325-022-02319-7. Epub 2022 Oct 11. PMID: 36220974; PMCID: PMC9618501.
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Semaglutide: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, & More Understanding the complexities of medications like semaglutide is crucial for anyone seeking effective treatment. It’s important to acknowledge that semaglutide is extensively used in managing type 2 diabetes and obesity, with potential benefits in weight loss and cardiovascular risk reduction. Mounjaro Weight Loss: Safety, Side Effects, & More Mounjaro is a relatively new medication that is within a class of medications known for their control of blood sugar and potential for managing weight. It’s unique in that it has two different ways of working in the body. It is generally recommended that patients make lifestyle choices alongside any medications used for weight management.
