• Weight Management

What is ‘Ozempic Face’ and How Can You Prevent it?

Ozempic has risen to fame for its effective results in helping people achieve substantial weight loss. 

In fact, nine million prescriptions were written for Ozempic and similar drugs in 2023 and an estimated 15.5 million U.S. adults have used injectable drugs like Ozempic to lose weight.

The term "Ozempic face" has gained popularity, referring to the sunken or hollowed-out look of the face. 

This occurs as a side effect of using this weight loss treatment, where rapid weight loss results in decreased facial fat and reduced skin elasticity.

While weight loss is beneficial for your overall health, the facial changes you may experience can be distressing, and your appearance can affect your self-esteem and confidence. 

In this article, we’ll explain what Ozempic face is and provide some practical tips to help you prevent this side effect.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is the brand name for a drug called semaglutide, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor antagonists. 

GLP-1 is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Ozempic mimics and enhances the action of GLP-1 in the body, helping to manage blood sugar levels.

In addition to treating diabetes, doctors may also prescribe Ozempic off-label to help patients lose weight.

Ozempic is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss. Instead, it’s FDA-approved to treat diabetes and reduce cardiovascular risk in people with heart disease.

Weight loss medications like Ozempic can cause certain side effects, including: 

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Stomach pain 

• Indigestion

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

How Does Ozempic Work?

To understand what causes Ozempic face, you need to know how this weight loss medication works.

Ozempic helps lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion when blood sugar is high. This decreases the amount of glucose the liver produces and slows down the rate at which food leaves the stomach.

Many people taking Ozempic lose weight as it reduces appetite and promotes a feeling of fullness. This is due to the stomach emptying slower than usual, a condition known as delayed gastric emptying.

What is Ozempic Face?

People taking Ozempic may experience changes in their facial appearance – especially if they have lost significant body weight. 

When people shed a lot of pounds, they often lose fat from their face, which can lead to a more sunken or aged appearance. 

People who experience Ozempic face may notice the following changes:

• A more pronounced appearance of facial bones

• Loose or sagging skin

• A generally thinner or gaunt facial appearance

How Does Rapid Weight Loss Affect the Face?

Rapid weight loss may impact the face due to fat loss in this area. This leads to a hollow or sunken appearance. 

As the fat layer thins, the underlying bone structure becomes more pronounced.

Weight loss that happens too quickly can cause the skin on your face to lag behind, failing to contract at the right pace. This can lead to loose or sagging skin. 

This is because the skin, which is initially stretched to accommodate excess weight, may not bounce back fully once the weight is lost.

Losing weight can sometimes lead to decreased collagen production, which is a protein essential for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity.

With less fat to support the skin, wrinkles and fine lines may become more noticeable. The loss of volume can make the skin appear thinner and less plump, amplifying the signs of aging. 

How to Prevent Ozempic Face

While losing weight does mean you may reduce facial fat, there are some guidelines you can follow to avoid Ozempic face:

Lose weight gradually

You may be aiming for significant weight loss while taking Ozempic, but this is the quickest way to lose skin elasticity. 

Instead, you should aim to lose weight gradually, which will allow your facial skin the time to adjust to your body’s changes. 

Losing one to two pounds per week is a sustainable weight loss rate that should preserve your skin elasticity.

Stay hydrated

Keeping your skin hydrated is important as this can affect skin elasticity. Drink plenty of water or clear fluids to avoid sagging skin. 

It’s recommended that women drink nine cups of water a day, while men should drink around 13 cups a day.

Applying moisturizer regularly will also help your skin maintain elasticity and plumpness.

Support skin health with the right diet

Consume a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins that support skin health. For example, foods high in antioxidants, like fruits and vegetables, can help maintain skin integrity.

Get some exercise

Regular exercise can improve your overall skin tone and elasticity, helping to reduce the appearance of a hollow face. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. 

This can be broken down into 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

Adopt a good skincare routine

Taking care of your skin with a regular skincare routine can help prevent loose skin. 

Include ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinoids, and peptides in your routine. Consistency is key when it comes to caring for your skin, so stick to your morning and evening skincare routine for best results.

Avoid sun exposure

Damage from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can contribute to a hollow appearance of the face and accelerate skin aging. 

Protect your skin from UV rays using a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily and sticking to the shade as much as possible.

Visit your doctor regularly

While taking weight loss drugs like Ozempic, it’s important that you see your doctor for regular checkups. 

They can help monitor your overall health and manage any unpleasant side effects from using Ozempic.

Your doctor will also provide you with guidelines on weight management and skin health to avoid developing Ozempic face.

Reducing your dosage

If Ozempic affects your skin, your doctor may recommend that you take a reduced dose of this medication.

Medical Treatments for Ozempic Face

If you are concerned about Ozempic face, you may want to consider seeing a dermatologist who can recommend nonsurgical treatments to restore the volume and fullness of your face. 

Some treatments for Ozempic face include: 

Polydioxanone (PDO) threads

This involves using suture-like threads to lift and tighten the skin in areas where it may be sagging. As this is a nonsurgical procedure, it has a short recovery time, making it a safe and comfortable alternative to a surgical facelift.

Microneedling

Also known as collagen induction therapy, microneedling involves inserting tiny needles into the skin. 

This process may promote the production of collagen, which forms the connective tissue in the skin.

Microneedling can reduce the appearance of sagging or loose skin by helping your skin produce more collagen. It may also help reduce scarring and signs of aging. 

Dermal fillers 

Dermal fillers are typically used to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, but this treatment works for Ozempic face, too. 

The one downside of dermal fillers is that they are temporary, and the treatment must be repeated to maintain the benefits of reducing the appearance of fat loss in the face.

Skin tightening treatments

Radiofrequency, ultrasound therapy, and laser treatments provided by a dermatologist can all help tighten and lift the skin, reducing the appearance of sagging. 

Does Ozempic Face Go Away?

Whether Ozempic face goes away depends on two main factors:

• Skin elasticity: Younger people typically have better skin elasticity, which can help the skin bounce back after weight loss. Ozempic face may last longer for older people or those with reduced skin elasticity.

• Rate of weight loss: Gradual weight loss gives the skin more time to adjust, which can help prevent excessive sagging. Rapid weight loss is more likely to result in a persistent, gaunt appearance.

In some cases, once weight stabilizes, the body may naturally redistribute fat to some extent, and the skin may regain some of its previous fullness. 

When to Seek Medical Treatment

Ozempic face isn’t a medical condition, and other than the treatments outlined above, medical attention isn’t necessary for this side effect.

You should contact your doctor if you experience any severe side effects from taking Ozempic, such as:

• Difficulty swallowing

• A lump or pain in the neck

• Wheezing

• Shortness of breath

• A hoarse voice 

Where Can You Learn More About Ozempic for Weight Loss?

At LifeMD, our Weight Management program is designed to help you shed pounds safely and effectively. 

Our program approaches weight loss comprehensively, pairing medications – like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro – with ongoing clinical care, lab testing, and advice to help eligible patients achieve their weight loss goals.

Get started today.

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