Many people have discovered GLP-1 weight loss medications and the benefits they can offer in helping them overcome their weight loss challenges. One of these medications is semaglutide, which is prescribed under the names Ozempic and Wegovy and has become a very popular alternative to bariatric surgery.
Recently, the term "Ozempic face" has been making the rounds on social media and in the news, but it is a bit unfair to pin the normal side effects of rapid weight loss on one medication.
Today, we are going to explain what this term means, what causes it, and how to prevent Ozempic face.
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What Is 'Ozempic Face'?
When someone says "Ozempic face," they are talking about noticeable changes in the appearance of someone’s face, such as sagging skin, deeper under-eye circles, and an increase in the signs of aging, like more pronounced lines and wrinkles.
Ozempic is a brand name for semaglutide and was originally approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes but now has also been approved to be used for weight management. The term “Ozempic face“ was made popular by a cosmetic dermatologist to describe the facial changes that can occur when someone loses weight very fast while using the medication.
What Causes 'Ozempic Face'?
Experts have reported that the best way to lose weight is gradually and slowly, with a healthy rate of weight loss being between 1 and 2 pounds per week. Losing weight very fast can cause negative side effects and result in muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies, imbalances in electrolytes, fatigue, hair loss, gallstones, and more.
"Ozempic face" is the result of the rapid loss of fat from the face and typically occurs when someone loses weight very quickly. The fat that provides the volume and naturally youthful contours to the face decreases significantly, which can make aesthetic changes such as:
Loose or Sagging Skin
After you lose a bunch of weight, unfortunately your skin may be stretched out too far and unable to fully retract to smoothly cover your smaller body. The same thing can happen to your face with rapid weight loss and leave you with loose skin that sags, creates wrinkles, or droopy folds of skin.
Gives You A Harsher Appearance
When the fat padding on your face is significantly reduced, the bones in your face, like your cheekbones and jawline, begin to look sharper and more prominent.
Your Face Looks Gaunt
Losing facial fat can make your face look hollow or sunken, particularly your cheeks, temples, and around your eyes.
An Increase In Wrinkles
Losing facial volume can cause existing wrinkles to become worse and new wrinkles to form. The lines around your nose and mouth can also become more noticeable.
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Does Ozempic Get A Bad Wrap For “Ozempic Face”?
Yes, Ozempic has become the scapegoat for the aftereffects of losing a significant amount of weight. It is important to understand that it is the rapid weight loss that causes these side effects to your facial features and not the Ozempic medication.
Any rapid loss of weight, regardless of whether it occurs due to medication, bariatric surgery, or another method, can cause changes to your face that these days are being referred to as “Ozempic Face.”
Also, it is important to note that Ozempic is typically not known for causing a rapid loss of weight but rather slow and gradual weight loss, with most individuals losing between 10% and 15% of their total body weight.
How to Prevent 'Ozempic Face'
While everyone is different and each person's experience may vary, there are some basic strategies that you can use to prevent the loss of volume and the development of loose skin, helping you to avoid “Ozempic face.”
Choose Gradual Weight Loss Methods
Choose a weight loss program that will help you lose weight slowly, losing about one to two pounds per week. This pace allows your skin to adjust better and reduces the likelihood of ending up with sagging skin. Your results will depend on how long you have carried excess weight and how much you are carrying.
Stay Well Hydrated
Make sure you drink plenty of water to keep your skin and body hydrated to improve your skin's elasticity, which can help it conform to your new smaller body and facial contours.
Eat A Diet Rich In Nutrients
Consuming foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein helps to maintain healthy skin and promotes the production of collagen and elastin, which can help your skin more readily bounce back.
Take Care Of Your Skin
Practice a regular skincare routine using good-quality skincare products. Keep your skin moisturized, and choose quality products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, retinoids, and more to help prevent moisture loss.
Work With A Professional
Working with a doctor who is trained in obesity medicine can help you navigate successfully through your weight loss journey for many different reasons. Doctors like Dr. Steven Batash at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center understand the nuances and complexities of the weight loss process and how to pinpoint and help you overcome inhibitors to your weight loss efforts.
Can You Fix 'Ozempic Face'?
If you experience major changes to the appearance of your face after losing a significant amount of weight, there are some cosmetic procedures that can restore a more youthful look.
- Dermal Fillers: Injectable dermal fillers can restore lost volume in areas like the cheeks, lips, and along the jawline to make the face look fuller, more youthful, and naturally refreshed.
- Cosmetic Skin Tightening: There are several non-surgical treatments that can help tighten a mild to moderate amount of loose skin using methods like ultrasound, radiofrequency, and other therapies that can stimulate collagen production and help firm up your skin.
- Cosmetic Surgery: If you have a great deal of loose skin left after losing a substantial amount of weight, cosmetic surgeries like facelifts, thigh lifts, arm lifts, and other surgical cosmetic procedures can eliminate the excess skin and redefine your body and face to look naturally smoother and younger.
What Does 'Ozempic Face' Before And After Look Like?
If you have lost a substantial amount of weight and are wondering if you have “Ozempic face,” look at pictures of you before and after your weight loss. See if you notice that the appearance of your face has changed and if you see the classic signs we have talked about in this article.
Losing a significant amount of weight can be life-changing, but it can also leave results that were not expected, like a substantial amount of loose skin or advanced signs of aging. Working with weight loss professionals like the team at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center can help you reach your weight loss goals safely, effectively, and gradually.
They will create a plan that is customized just for you, your needs, and your circumstances. Depending on your current weight and picture of health, a non-surgical weight loss procedure like a gastric balloon or Suture Sculpt ESG may be included in that plan, or you may be prescribed a GLP-1 weight loss medication like Ozempic. Dr. Batash will ensure that you understand what to expect during your weight loss journey and after you have reached your weight loss goal.
He and his team will provide you with the highest level of support and resources to help you obtain the results you desire. You will have access to a variety of professionals who will help provide guidance with exercise, diet, and lifestyle coaching to set you up for success.
Contact us today to book a personal consultation to learn more about safe and sustainable weight loss. For your convenience, we offer both in-person and virtual appointments and can support both local and out-of-the-area patients.
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