Chances are high that you know someone who is currently taking a GLP-1 medication. While many people refer to these medications simply as “Ozempic,” there are actually many GLP-1 meds currently on the market — for example, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda, and more.
Some people on these medications have lost a lot of weight. They’ve also, according to the media, lost something else: facial volume.
If you spend any time reading about Ozempic, you’ll likely come across the term “Ozempic face.” This is an alleged problem in which people who have been taking semaglutide or other weight management medications have hollow cheeks, deeper folds, loose skin, or a generally older-looking appearance.
While this phrase may be catchy, it’s a bit misleading. Similar facial changes can follow substantial weight loss, no matter whether one achieves this goal through medication, bariatric surgery, or dietary changes.
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dr. Mark Bosbous has spoken to many patients who are concerned about how their weight loss hollowed out their face. Here’s why that can happen — and what you can do about it.
Why Can Weight Loss Change Your Face?
Fat is part of the reason you look the way that you do. For example, your face contains layers and pockets of fat around the cheeks, temples, eyes, and mouth — all of which help give your face its shape.
When you lose weight, fat can disappear from many areas at once. This can include facial fat, which can result in a hollow appearance.
This reduced volume may also make existing features more noticeable. Cheeks may appear flatter, folds around the mouth may seem deeper, and reduced support beneath the skin can make laxity along the cheeks, jawline, and neck more noticeable.
Of course, another factor that must be accounted for is time. Losing weight can take a while, and over that same time period, a lot can happen to your skin. Plus, everyone reacts to weight loss differently; some may have the same face after weight loss, while others can look substantially different.
There is presently no research establishing a rate of weight loss that will prevent facial laxity — so, if you’re losing weight, this is just one of the side effects that may or may not occur, no matter how fast you lose it.
Is “Ozempic Face” Permanent?
After losing a lot of weight, your body may take a while to adjust. Even if your body weight stays about the same, you may find that your face will gradually appear more full and “normal.”
That said, this may not be the case. Lost facial fat and significantly stretched skin may not completely return on their own. Not only that, but simply gaining weight again may not return your face to its original shape, as your body may not replace fat in the same locations or in the same proportions.
To be clear, one should not stop, reduce, or otherwise change their prescribed GLP-1 medication just because of a cosmetic concern without first consulting with the clinician managing their treatment. From there, they can assess your concerns and change your treatment plan as needed.
What Can You Do About It?
After you’ve reached a healthy, stable weight, the first step is to protect your skin. Many concerns about “Ozempic Face” are related to the appearance of one’s skin, so it makes sense to begin taking steps to improve and maintain skin quality. This includes using a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, avoiding tanning, and refraining from (or quitting) smoking.
To handle the hollowing, patients may want to consider injectable dermal fillers. These can restore volume in selected areas, including the cheeks and certain under-eye hollows. This is generally a temporary measure, and the patient should expect to have to touch up their fillers over time.
Some may also consider fat grafting. This is where fat is removed from another part of the body, processed, then injected into selected areas of the face. A fat graft tends to provide longer-lasting results than fillers, even as some transferred fat is reabsorbed. It should be noted that, as transplanted fat continues to respond to weight changes, achieving a stable weight before undergoing a fat graft is particularly important.
Finally, if loose skin and sagging tissues are a concern, it may not be enough to replace one’s facial volume. A patient experiencing these issues may consider a face or neck lift to reposition tissues and remove selected excess skin. Depending on the specific concerns, a patient may also seek other procedures, such as an eye lift (blepharoplasty) or brow lift.
If you’re concerned about having a hollow face and are seeking treatment, we can help. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.