If you’re taking a GLP-1 agonist medication and you’ve lost significant weight, perhaps you’ve noticed changes to the way your face looks. Weight loss happens head to foot, and that can make your face lose some of its fullness. Some people enjoy the slimmer profile, while others worry that they suddenly look older.
This phenomenon has earned the somewhat stigmatizing term, “Ozempic face.” It doesn’t happen to everyone taking GLP-1s, but it’s common enough that dermatologists and plastic surgeons report an uptick in patients hoping to restore lost facial volume.
What causes facial changes on GLP-1s?
When you lose weight — whether through GLP-1 use, bariatric surgery, or other methods — you lose fat deposits in your face, specifically subcutaneous adipose tissue, which gives the face a full look. The loss of fat tends to occur in the cheeks, temples, and eye areas, so these areas may appear more contoured or hollowed after weight loss, and natural lines between the nose and mouth may become more pronounced.
If you lose weight rapidly, which is common on GLP-1s, skin may not have time to gradually adjust to the changes, which may result in a slackened appearance.
Anthony M. Rossi, MD, a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, says that, aside from the fat loss, “there are other hormonal, metabolic, and muscle changes that contribute to this overall facial aging appearance we have come to know as ‘Ozempic face.’”
When these involve changes to elastin and collagen, which keep skin tight and supple, it can result in more obvious wrinkles. A loss of essential fatty acids can also compromise the skin barrier, contributing to dryness and dullness.
Though many of these changes occur naturally with age, studies show that they occur at younger ages in people who lose weight rapidly.
Can you avoid these facial changes on GLP-1s?
Experts attribute some of the facial changes, like skin slackening, to the speed at which weight is lost.
“As a dermatologist, I see this pretty regularly in my patients who start a GLP-1, especially in those who use compounded medications not under the care of an obesity or weight loss specialist,” Rossi says. Because compounded medications can be unregulated, they may lead to more rapid weight loss, especially if there’s not careful oversight by a clinician.
Aim to lose no more than 1 to 2 pounds per week, a guideline that aligns with general weight loss advice.
Elevate your antiaging skin care routine.
To help reduce wrinkles, follow this skin care advice, which can help anyone concerned with an aging complexion.
- Use a skin care product that contains retinol (a vitamin A derivative) and peptides (amino acids), which speed up cell turnover and stimulate collagen production.
- Apply a moisturizer to help your skin retain its natural moisture. This can reduce the appearance of some fine lines and reduce redness.
Stay hydrated when taking GLP-1s; this protects your skin against dryness.
When you want a more dramatic fix …
Some people taking GLP-1s are turning to cosmetic procedures to help restore some of the volume, reduce wrinkles, and improve the texture of their skin. The most common types of procedures include:
- Dermal fillers, such as hyaluronic acid and biostimulatory fillers that stimulate collagen production (i.e., Radiesse and Sculptra)
- Energy-based lasers and microneedling that stimulate the growth of new collagen and elastin.
