Ozempic Face: Causes, Prevention, and More
Ozempic face is a common side effect of the weight loss medication — but is it preventable?
There are many possible side effects commonly associated with GLP-1 medications — fatigue, headaches, constipation, and nausea are only a few. However, these are often fleeting. “Ozempic face” is one of the more long-lasting symptoms, and it can cause a lot of anxiety for people embarking on their GLP-1 journey. But what is Ozempic face?
With drastic bodily changes come drastic facial changes. As a result of rapidly losing fat, sometimes people experience facial hollowing and sagging, which can cause what some consider to be an older-looking complexion. To find out the exact causes and what you can do about it, Woman’s World spoke to nutritionists, dieticians, and MDs to talk about your options for living with and reversing Ozempic face.
In This Article
Semaglutide can help you lose weight from your whole body, including your face
“Ozempic face” is a term people use to describe facial changes that can result from rapid weight loss associated with GLP-1s. An article from Northwell Health delves into the cosmetic condition, explaining that weight loss medications can trigger rapid loss of fat, particularly in the face. This can sometimes make the patient look gaunt and ultimately, a few years older.
“[Ozempic face] can cause a sunken appearance, and some people report it aging them due to the facial fat loss,” Katherine Metzelaar, RD, of Bravespace Nutrition explains, referencing a YouTube video she made about it. She also notes that it can happen on any diet, exercise or medication regimen—it’s not just linked to semaglutide medications.
“It’s not specific to Ozempic,” she explains. “It can happen with any fast weight loss.”
Some people are more susceptible to Ozempic face
With the rise in demand in Ozempic comes the rise in cases of Ozempic face. Of course, it’s more important to focus on weight loss, particularly if your weight is putting your health at risk. However, it can be a serious nuisance and evidently, certain folks are more susceptible to developing it than others. Trisha Best, RD, of The Candida Diet says age, genetics, and face thinness can all play a major role in determining whether or not you develop Ozempic face: “As skin ages it naturally loses collagen and ultimately elasticity, this makes it more difficult for the face to “bounce back” after weight loss,” Dr. Best says.
“Genetics will also play a vital role in developing Ozempic face and some are predisposed to thin skin and less facial fat. Lifestyle habits can also make someone more likely to form Ozempic face including poor hydration, smoking, and inadequate skincare.”
Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the risk
Dr. Metzelaar reiterates there is no way to fully prevent Ozempic face, because naturally, weight loss comes with facial changes. However, Dr. Best says patients can minimize the risk of losing the fat in their face, by losing the weight gradually, and taking care of your health along the way.
“People can minimize their risk of Ozempic face by losing weight gradually allowing the skin time to adjust,” she says. “Hydration will help to maintain the skin’s elasticity and a diet rich in protein, healthy fats, and collagen producing nutrients (vitamin C and zinc) will also ward off Ozempic face. A good skincare routine and regular facial massages can also support muscle tone and blood flow.”
A plastic surgeon’s tips for preventing Ozempic face
Dr. Sagar Patel, a double board certified plastic surgeon, also recommends the following to “restore volume and elasticity.” Even though it may not fully prevent the gaunt look, it may minimize the sagging in your face.
- Facial exercises
- Dermal fillers
- Micro needling
- Radio frequency
“The vast majority of physicians prescribing Ozempic are not aware of the aesthetic effects rapid weight loss can have,” he says. “Prevention is the first and most important step.”
Plastic surgery can be option
Dr. Patel reminds us there’s always plastic surgery to get rid of Ozempic face. He explains going under the knife is an option for more severe cases but suggests patients preemptively take measures to prevent sagging in the first place.
“I recommend taking both preventative measures, like starting retinols, and also maintenance skin care measures,” he says. “For example, laser skin resurfacing maintains the skin to its best possible quality prior to starting a weight loss journey.”
There are also non-surgical options to help restore lost volume in your face
Of course, there’s a chance you’re seeing more sagging or facial thinning than you’d like. And if that’s the case, there are measures you can take after the fact, to fix Ozempic face. Dr. Patel says there are procedures for both adding volume and to reverse sagging — aside from face lifts, of course: “Restoring volume can be done with injected stimulators like Sculptra or autologous fat grafting,” Dr. Patel explains. “Non-surgical options like UltraClear’s laser coring are great options for a mini lift in patients with minor heaviness of the jowls.”
Ozempic face often comes with the territory, but you can help prevent it
When you’re losing large amounts of weight rapidly, whether from a GLP-1 like Ozempic, a traditional diet, bariatric surgery, or any other cause, you’re going to lose weight from your entire body, including fat that may have been keeping your cheeks and face looking plumper, rounder, more full, and youthful. Many people embrace their new, thinner look, especially as you get used to it over time.
But for others, facial changes while losing weight on a GLP-1 medication are hard to get used to. The same healthy habits that are recommended for anyone going on a weight-loss medication will benefit your face, and you can add things like extra skin care and facial exercises, too. If none of that gets the results you’re looking for, there are both non-surgical and surgical cosmetic options, as well.
FAQs
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Is Ozempic face reversible?
Ozempic face isn't naturally reversible. But you can restore the volume in your skin by getting injection stimulators like Sculptra or autologous fat grafting. You can also opt into non-surgical options like UltraClear's laser coring, which lifts the jowls.
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Is Ozempic face preventable?
Ozempic face can be prevented by gradually losing the weight rather than aiming for rapid weight loss. You can also adopt healthy habits like hydrating, adhering to a protein- and healthy fat-rich diet, taking in collagen, adopting a skincare routine, giving yourself facial massages, and doing facial exercises. You can also receive treatments like dermal fillers, micro needling, and radio frequency.
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What does Ozempic face look like?
"Ozempic face" refers to the gaunt look that certain patients have. Due to rapid weight loss, people's faces get thinner, and the skin starts to sag.
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Is Ozempic face real?
Ozempic face is real, because it's associated with rapid weight loss. However, it isn't solely tied to Ozempic, or semaglutide medications.
