"Ozempic face" side effect - Should I be worried?

Question

I have read about "Ozempic face" and how you lose facial fat on Ozempic and it can leave you looking gaunt and thin. Is this true? Should I be worried about this side effect?

Anna Petropoulos, MD, FRCS · Answer

A potential side effect of any weight loss is loss of volume (fat *and* muscle) everywhere, including the face. Due to the decreased collagen production and regeneration later in life, this loss of volume can often be accompanied by sagging or crepey skin- but this can also be caused by *rapid* weight loss, as is the case with "Ozempic face". In our office, we take a holistic approach to using semaglutide (ozempic, wegovy) and tirzepatide (mounjaro, zepbound) so as to mitigate as many of the deterring side effects as possible. Dosing to maintain an average 1-3lbs of weight loss per week is particularly helpful. Additionally, treatments such as Sculptra, PRP, and RF-Microneedling are important steps in maintaining facial volume and improving skin health. For the body, EmSculpt NEO is a great way to ensure muscle building during the program, as well as Conjugated Linoleic Acid as a take-home supplement. When used appropriately and under the right guidance, these medications are a wonderful option for weight loss for many people. Best of luck! Genie Alexander, RN BSN for Dr. Anna Petropoulos, MD FRCS at Center for Classic Beauty, Danvers & Boston, MA.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medication used to manage type 2 diabetes and it has been approved by the FDA for weight loss in certain individuals. Side effects can vary among individuals and can include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite. Weight loss is also a common side effect due to the decreased appetite and improvement in blood sugar control.
The term "Ozempic face" likely refers to noticeable weight loss in the face, which can sometimes occur in individuals who lose weight rapidly or significantly. However, this is not a commonly reported side effect of Ozempic specifically. The medication tends to promote gradual and sustainable weight loss, which is less likely to result in a gaunt or thin appearance.
Remember that the goal of therapy with Ozempic, or any other medication, is to improve your health. If you experience side effects that concern you or affect your quality of life, it's important to communicate this to your healthcare provider so they can adjust your treatment plan as needed.

Brandon Richland, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. Any rapid weight loss method can result in losing facial volume more quickly and altering the appearance of the face. Once rapid weight loss occurs, the skin has less time to adapt appropriately, resulting in an increased appearance of skin sagging. Ozempic is targeted for fat loss, and we have fat everywhere in our body. The quickest place to see this effect is usually the face, but it can also occur in the arms, abdomen, and legs, depending on how much fat is to be lost. However, there are alternatives that be done to help restore lost volume, such as dermal fillers. If this is a concern to you, I would suggest speaking with a practitioner to make sure you are a candidate for Ozempic and discuss treatment modalities down the road to help reduce volume loss in the face.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The phrases Ozempic Face and Ozempic Butt are more associated with significant weight loss versus the medication itself.  How can this be addressed?  Follow a healthy, balanced diet to ensure you are not deficient in nutrition.  Keep a regular exercise program to prevent muscle loss.  You can also consider options such as fillers and skin care treatments to keep the face looking rejuvenated and fresh.

Victoria Falcone, DO · Answer

Weight loss of any kind can results in reduction of facial fat. Ozempic / Semaglutide are very effective weight loss medications contributing to millions of patients regaining their optimal size. If you lose more facial fat that you like, visit a skilled aesthetic practitioner for evaluation and treatment. They can use facial fillesr to restore more youthful contours. There are many products such as Sculptra and Bellafill that can last for years. 
Achieve better health. Ozempic face can be fixed if it occurs.

Howard Pyo, DO · Answer

Ozempic may cause you to lose some facial fat in addition to weight, giving you the appearance of being leaner and more haggard.But not everyone has this adverse effect, and there are differences in how much of it there is. It's crucial to communicate any concerns you have with your physician. They may assist you in balancing the medication's advantages and possible drawbacks, and they might even make recommendations for how to minimize such changes, including adopting particular skincare practices or thinking about getting cosmetic procedures.

Kevin Chang, MD · Answer

Ozempic face is a term describing changes to skin and underlying support structures that can occur with weight loss, which may result in wrinkles, skin looseness, or volume and unwanted appearance changes. While these negative changes do not necessarily happen to everyone experiencing weight loss with semaglutide, we recommend clinical regular monitoring and early preventive measures to minimize Ozempic face effects.

- · Answer

Weight loss in general will result in total body fat loss. Mid facial fat is one of the first areas of the face that we see volume loss, regardless of caloric deficit. "Ozempic face" is not considered a side effect, but something that patients experience as a result of overall weight loss. To restore lost volume in the face, dermal fillers can be beneficial, such as Juvéderm Voluma.

Sharon Y. Giese, MD · Answer

Significant and rapid weight loss will more than likely cause the facial skin to sag. This is where the term 'Ozempic face' evolved from. My tailored program recommends for the lowest effective dose of semaglutide that will keep your appetite suppressed. With semaglutide, you will not lose weight rapidly but lose it slow and steady. However, it's easier to see if it's time for a neck lift or facelift with significant weight loss because you may have or see loose skin.

Erika Sato, MD, FACS · Answer

Ozempic face is just facial aging related to weight loss. This will happen with rapid weight loss even if the weight loss is done naturally without medication. Ozempic creates a fast way to lose weight which can lead to fat volume loss in the face along with muscle wasting in the body. Skinny faces always look "older" than plump faces once we are no longer in our teens and twenties. Some patients desire to lose some of the fat in their face while others may have excess weight on their body but not really on their face.

"Ozempic face" side effect - Should I be worried?

Answers (13)

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