# What is Ozempic face? Causes, prevention, and treatment options **8 min read** **Written by:** Brandi Hunter **Reviewed by:** Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, MD, MS **Updated:** **Jan 07, 2025** ## Key takeaways - “Ozempic face” is a colloquial term used to describe facial changes that can occur after weight loss with Ozempic or other GLP-1 medications. - Symptoms may include sagging skin, a hollow or “sunken” look to the face, and fine lines or wrinkles. - Facial changes are typically the result of rapid or significant weight loss and are not actually caused by Ozempic or other weight loss medications. - Some skincare products, diet and lifestyle interventions, or cosmetic procedures can help minimize or reverse symptoms. ## What is Ozempic face? The term “Ozempic face” refers to facial changes such as sagging skin and more pronounced signs of aging due to facial fat loss that can happen when people lose a lot of weight—such as the significant weight loss that can happen with Ozempic and other weight loss medications. Symptoms might include: - Hollow cheeks and under-eye areas - Increased visibility of lines and wrinkles - Sagging or loose skin around the jawline and neck - Increased visibility of facial bones - Changes in the size of facial features such as the [lips, cheeks, and chin](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11427949/) ### What causes Ozempic face? There are a few factors that can cause the facial volume loss associated with Ozempic face. ### Rapid weight loss Despite its catchy name, this phenomenon can happen as a [result of significant weight loss](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30638792/) for any reason. People who take Ozempic can experience a lot of weight loss at a faster rate than with traditional dieting and exercise alone. In [clinical trials](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183) for semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and [Wegovy](/content/weight-loss/wegovy/index.html)), participants lost up to 14.9% of their body weight over 68 weeks as compared to 2.4% with placebo. Our faces naturally have fat pads that provide structure and volume around the cheeks, temples, and jawline. When a person loses weight, these facial fat pads can shrink. ### Fat loss and skin elasticity Elastin, a protein in your skin's dermal layer, acts like a biological “rubber band” that allows the skin to stretch and snap back into place. The skin's ability to bounce back can diminish as you age— [natural elastin turnover decreases](https://jddonline.com/articles/natural-weight-loss-or-ozempic-face-demystifying-a-social-media-phenomenon-S1545961624P1367X/)—so the body produces less of the protein. ### Collagen loss and skin aging As you age, your skin naturally produces less [collagen](/content/dermatology/foods-high-in-collagen/index.html). Collagen is an essential protein that connects tissues throughout the body and is a component of bones, muscles, skin, and joints. ## Who is at risk for Ozempic face? “For some people, these effects may happen no matter what…if you lose weight very fast, there is not enough time for your skin to adjust to that smaller volume of fat,” says Dr. Barnes. “Ozempic face is much more likely with rapid weight loss, but it can also happen when losing weight slowly.” Several factors can determine who is most likely to experience symptoms of Ozempic face following weight loss: - **Middle-aged and older adults** because their skin has naturally lost elasticity over time. - **Women** may be more likely to experience facial changes since some [research](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8950819/#sec6-jpm-12-00454) suggests they tend to lose more weight than men when taking a GLP-1 due to differences in hormones and metabolism. ## How to avoid Ozempic face: 3 tips “Unfortunately, no preventive measure can completely eliminate the risk of facial volume loss while taking GLP-1 medications,” says board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Murphy. ### Aim to lose weight gradually “The best thing you can do is lose weight at a slow, steady pace, so the skin has more time to adjust.” ### Support skin health Start a [skincare routine](/content/dermatology/skincare-routine/index.html) before or as soon as you begin weight loss treatment—it can’t replace lost volume, but it can help maintain skin health and elasticity during weight loss. ### Boost collagen and elasticity with lifestyle habits “Collagen production is essential to skin elasticity and potentially avoiding or reducing excess skin,” says Dr. Trista Best, MPH, RDN, LD. ## Cosmetic treatments for Ozempic face Some cosmetic treatments may also help mitigate sagging skin or other facial changes by restoring volume in the face, helping tighten the skin, and minimizing fine lines. ### Dermal fillers Dermal fillers are cosmetic injections that may help restore facial volume, improve facial contouring, or soften lines and wrinkles. These [fillers](/content/dermatology/hyaluronic-acid-fillers/index.html) work by plumping areas beneath the skin to lift areas that have lost fat. ### Skin tightening treatments There are other procedures with varying degrees of invasiveness that restore collagen and elastin in the face. ### Fat grafting and facial implants Fat grafting involves harvesting fat from another area of your body (like the abdomen), processing it, and injecting it into areas of facial volume loss. ## Myths and misconceptions about Ozempic face **Myth: Facial volume loss is permanent** Weight loss can lead to decreased facial volume, but the skin's ability to adapt varies significantly among individuals. Facial changes may improve once weight stabilizes, and interventions like skincare products and cosmetic treatments can help minimize these changes. **Myth: Ozempic face only affects older adults** Facial volume loss can occur due to rapid weight loss at any age, though older individuals may experience more [noticeable changes](/content/dermatology/skin-anti-aging/index.html) due to declining collagen and elastin levels. ## When to consult a doctor Consider talking to a dermatologist or other healthcare provider if: - Facial changes are causing you significant distress - You notice severe [skin looseness](/content/weight-loss/tighten-loose-skin-after-weight-loss/index.html) ## Bottom line - Facial volume loss can be a common but manageable side effect of rapid weight loss. - Preventive strategies like gradual weight loss, following a skincare routine, and adequate sleep can help boost collagen and minimize facial changes during weight loss. - Non-invasive cosmetic treatments such as dermal fillers or ultrasound therapy can help restore facial volume.