Thin, sunken or aged appearance, with sunken cheeks, sagging skin and increased wrinkles. In some people, rapid weight loss is associated with the so-called “Ozempic face”.
The use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, the active ingredient used in the medications Ozempic and Wegovy, has gained prominence in conversations surrounding weight loss.
Although Ozempic continues to have FDA approval only for the treatment of type 2 diabetesthis injection is prescribed informally for the overweight and obesitysimilar to what happens with certain medications used for anxiety symptoms.
You probably know the side effects frequent gastrointestinal symptoms of this common diabetes medicine, such as nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
However, more recently, another term has emerged associated with the use of GLP-1, which describes the side effects related to rapid weight loss: the “Ozempic face”, or “Ozempic face”, an informal term that describes the appearance thin, sunken or agedwith sunken cheeks, sagging skin and increased wrinkles, caused by rapid and significant fat loss in the face.
This is not a medical condition caused by the medicine itself, but rather a secondary effect of rapid and widespread loss of fat, explains .
It is important to know that “Ozempic face” is not an established medical term. Rather, it is the description of a phenomenon that occurs in some people who take GLP-1, and refers to certain facial changes that users may experience after taking this weight loss medication.
The term “Ozempic face” was coined by Paul Jarrod Franka cosmetic dermatologist who began noticing an increase in patients seeking help for this side effect.
Although there is more and more information about “Ozempic face” on the internet and social media, exact statistics of this side effect are not known. And although it is not a medical condition, there are some explanations scientific evidence for signs and symptoms related to “Ozempic face”.
In reality, it is not GLP-1s, such as semaglutide, that cause facial changes directly: these effects can develop following rapid weight loss.
It should also be added that the sagging skin after weight loss is not exclusive of weight loss medications, and the effects do not necessarily appear only on the face.
Rapid weight loss can also cause these signs and symptoms in other parts of the body, such as the abdominal area, thighs and armss. The faster a person loses weight, the greater the risk of sagging skin due to loss of subcutaneous fat under the skin.
So, in short, rapid weight loss, regardless of its origin, can decrease collagen and skin elasticity. And while facial fat loss may not be entirely preventable, lose weight more gradually can reduce the risk of sagging facial skin — and avoid the “Ozempic face”.
