While people first going on weight loss medication might feel hopeful about the results, the side effects are important to be aware of. Though it’s usually harmless, Ozempic can lead to a startling result known as “Ozempic face.” Going on GLP-1 like Ozempic or Mounjaro can make your face look drastically different, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and gauntness.

What is “Ozempic Face”?

“Ozempic Face” refers to facial changes that occur alongside rapid weight loss. It’s not a side effect of the medication but rather a side effect of losing weight very quickly, which Ozempic is known for. The term first rose to popularity after a celebrity dermatologist went viral explaining how semaglutides impacted some of his patients.

It’s certainly not a medical term, and you most likely won’t hear a healthcare professional using it. But “Ozempic Face” doesn’t just occur when you’ve taken Ozempic. It can happen to those who have undergone bariatric surgery or taken on extreme lifestyle changes that have led to losing a lot of weight in a short period of time. Still, weight loss medications are the most common association since they are used to achieve a drastic weight target that the person hasn’t been at for a long time.

How Ozempic affects your face

General weight loss affects how you look, but losing facial fat can change your appearance even more. Rather than just looking thinner, it can make you look older. There are a few ways that it can transform your face:

Reduces facial fat: Subcutaneous fat creates a plump and youthful look in your face. When you undergo rapid weight loss, you lose this fat from your neck and face, which leads to saggy skin and facial hollowing.

Accelerates signs of aging: As people get older, they lose subcutaneous fat. But no matter your age, if you undergo rapid weight loss, these processes occur more quickly than usual, and that mimics the aging process.

Makes skin lose elasticity: Losing weight rapidly causes a decrease in two proteins found in the skin: elastin and collagen. Elastin keeps the skin stretchy, and collagen adds structure and support.

The more quickly you lose weight, the more likely you are to experience these symptoms, so for people looking to maximize their dose and hit their goal weight fast, “Ozempic Face” can come on fast—especially for older adults who already have lower subcutaneous fat reserves.

What “Ozempic Face” can look like

Some signs of aging that can indicate rapid weight loss and Ozempic usage include wrinkles, sunken eyes, sagging skin, thinner lips, and a more prominent bone structure, such as the dramatic cheekbones and jawline effects we’re seeing in many celebrities, including the Osbornes.

How to avoid it

To prevent these facial changes, consider adopting a more gradual approach to weight loss, aiming for a target of one to two pounds per week. You can also minimize side effects by combining medication with a healthy diet and an exercise routine. You can also prioritize a good skin care routine, wear high-quality sunscreen daily, stay hydrated to maintain elasticity, and eat enough protein, which allows you to build muscle during the fat loss process.

Does “Ozempic face” go away?

Unfortunately, this is not a side effect that will fade with time. If you gain back the weight you lost, your face may start to look fuller again, but if you stay at the same weight loss, those facial changes will be permanent too. To reverse some of the signs, you can try skin tightening procedures or cosmetic fillers. A few options include:

Injectables: Lip fillers can make your pucker look more plump, while Botox and dermal fillers help fill out wrinkles and smooth out lines that may have appeared as a result.

Noninvasive procedures: If you don’t want to go under the knife, options like microneedling, radio frequency skin tightening, and platelet-rich plasma can all help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the overall look of your skin.

Cosmetic procedures: Cheek implants make cheeks look fuller and more defined, fat grafts use your own body fat to plump up your face and lips, and facelifts reposition or get rid of loose facial skin. These are all procedures that can help create a drastic visual difference.

If you’re starting a weight loss medication, speak to your healthcare provider about a personalized plan to reduce the likelihood of “Ozempic Face.”