You eagerly start taking Ozempic to shed those extra pounds that have been negatively affecting your self-image and lifestyle. Week by week, you notice the scale reflecting your hard work, and your confidence begins to soar. However, as the weight drops, you also notice a change in your appearance that you didn't anticipate—your face seems gaunt and aged, which is often referred to as “Ozempic Face.”

At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we understand that while weight loss is a significant achievement, it's equally important to maintain a youthful and healthy appearance. This article will explore the phenomenon of the dreaded Ozempic Face, why dramatic weight loss affects your face, and offer practical tips and treatments to prevent and address these changes.

What is “Ozempic Face”?

“Ozempic Face” is a term used to describe the facial changes that some individuals experience after significant weight loss, particularly when using medications like Ozempic (semaglutide). These changes involve a gaunt, aged appearance characterized by sagging skin and a loss of volume, particularly in the cheeks and around the eyes.

While Ozempic is effective in helping individuals lose weight by reducing appetite and slowing digestion, rapid weight loss can lead to unintended aesthetic consequences. The face, which is often the first area to show signs of aging, can lose its youthful plumpness, making the skin appear loose. Understanding why this happens is the first step in preventing it.

Why dramatic weight loss affects the face:

• Loss of facial fat: One of the primary reasons for the appearance of Ozempic face is the loss of subcutaneous fat in the face. When you lose weight, fat loss doesn’t discriminate between your body and your face. This reduction in facial fat can result in a hollow, sunken look that contributes to an aged appearance.
• Skin elasticity: Your skin’s elasticity plays a crucial role in how your face adapts to weight loss. As you age, your skin loses some of its elasticity, making it harder for it to bounce back after significant weight loss. This lack of elasticity can cause the skin to sag, further emphasizing the gaunt look associated with “Ozempic Face.”
  
• Collagen production: Collagen, a protein that helps maintain skin structure and firmness, decreases with age and weight loss. Rapid weight loss can accelerate the reduction of collagen in the skin, leading to wrinkles and sagging. This decline in collagen production is another factor contributing to the changes seen in “Ozempic Face.”

Tips to prevent “Ozempic Face”:

• Lose weight slowly and steadily: One of the most effective ways to prevent “Ozempic Face” is to lose weight gradually. Rapid weight loss can exacerbate the loss of facial fat and skin elasticity. Aim for a slow and steady weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week to allow your skin to adjust and minimize the impact on your face.
  
• Maintain a balanced diet: While on Ozempic, ensure that your diet includes plenty of vitamins and minerals that promote skin health, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients can help maintain your skin’s elasticity and overall health.
• Stay hydrated: Hydration is key to maintaining skin elasticity. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated and reduce the likelihood of sagging and wrinkles. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day or even more if you’re sweating.
• Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help improve circulation and promote healthy skin. Incorporating facial exercises can also strengthen the muscles under your skin, potentially reducing the appearance of sagging.
  
• Use sun protection: Use sunscreen daily to protect your skin from sun damage. UV rays can accelerate skin aging, so protecting your skin can help maintain its elasticity.
• Avoid smoking: Smoking can reduce blood flow to the skin and damage collagen and elastin. Avoiding smoking can help preserve your skin’s firmness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Advanced treatments for “Ozempic Face”:

• Fillers: Dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm and Restylane, can restore volume to areas of the face that have lost fat. These fillers can help smooth out wrinkles and give your face a more youthful, plump appearance. At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, our experts can tailor a filler treatment plan to your specific needs.
• PDO threads: PDO (polydioxanone) threads are a non-surgical option to lift and tighten sagging skin. These threads are inserted under the skin and stimulate collagen production, resulting in a firmer, more youthful appearance over time.
• Microneedling: Microneedling involves using tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating the body’s natural healing process and boosting collagen production. This treatment can improve skin texture and elasticity, reducing the appearance of Ozempic face.
• Radiofrequency microneedling: Combining microneedling with radiofrequency energy, treatments like Morpheus 8 can penetrate deeper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin production. This advanced treatment can tighten and rejuvenate the skin, addressing sagging and wrinkles effectively.
• Pharmaceutical-grade skincare: Using high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade skincare products can significantly improve skin health. Products containing retinoids, peptides, and antioxidants can boost collagen production and improve skin texture and elasticity.
  
• Vampire facials and facelifts using PRP: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, often referred to as vampire facials or facelifts, uses your body’s own platelets to stimulate collagen and elastin production. This treatment can rejuvenate the skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and restore a youthful glow.

While Ozempic can be a powerful tool in your weight loss journey, it’s essential to be aware of potential side effects like the “Ozempic Face”. At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we are committed to helping you achieve your weight loss goals while maintaining your youthful appearance. We offer tips and strategies to help you lose weight while maintaining a youthful appearance. And if you do develop a gaunt look, we can discuss treatments to restore your youthful features. Contact us to develop a plan to not only look but also feel your best.