Ozempic is an injectable drug used to treat type 2 diabetes and other conditions relating to weight loss, such as high blood pressure. It contains an ingredient that mimics the GLP-1 hormone, which produces insulin to lower blood sugar. As a result, users lose weight.
Since the drug helps people with type 2 diabetes lose weight, others have taken notice that Ozempic could be the key to their body goals, rather than other weight loss drugs or techniques.
While it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat diabetes, the medication has become popular among people who may not use it for treating the disease.
Nevertheless, with the consumption of a prescribed drug, there are expected side effects. Users note that with their weight loss comes skin laxity and sagging, especially in their faces. Thus, the term “Ozempic face” was born.
As a user of the medication, I have seen my fair share of effects. While there are physical differences in my body, the protection that Ozempic provides to my health outweighs any negative impacts it could pose to my physical appearance.
Continue reading to learn more about Ozempic face, why it happens, and what remedies can remove the appearance of this side effect.
What Is Ozempic Face?
When taking Ozempic, users prepare to lose body weight. Those who take the medication for vanity purposes may expect to see their dream body form over time. However, they might not account for facial weight loss.
Ozempic face is when people lose weight in the face, causing a hollowed, unwell appearance, as a result of taking Ozempic. There is less volume within the face due to extreme weight loss, and the skin does not properly adapt to this change.
What Is the Cause of Ozempic Face?
This side effect of Ozempic, simply put, is skin sagging from the face due to significant weight loss.
Fat loss in this part of the body is common when people lose weight quickly. As a result, people look older and gaunter.
Think of it like this – when someone gains weight, their skin must still cover the entire body. When losing weight, the body does not necessarily lose the skin that it produced during the weight gain.
As a result, weight loss removes underlying fat but not the skin, and people must get rid of the excess skin surgically. This is similar to the so-called Ozempic face.
How Rapid Weight Loss Changes Facial Fat
Rapid weight loss, which could be more than 30 pounds over less than six months, can remove nutrients from the body that strengthen the skin and maintain its elasticity. It also disrupts metabolic health. Resultingly, the emergence of facial aging appears due to a lack of vitamins and minerals.
Ozempic Face in Celebrities
Many of the rich and famous are using diabetes medication to lose weight overall rather than for treating the disease it is intended for. Sharon Osborne has spoken about her experience using an injectable weight loss drug. Additionally, Elon Musk has said that to lose weight he fasted and used Wegovy – a drug similar to Ozempic.
Ozempic Face Before and After
After using Ozempic for some time, I have lost weight all over my body, including my face. Since I take it for health reasons, seeing such visual effects does not compare to the protection of my well-being.
Nevertheless, before taking the drug, my face was naturally fuller. I noticed, after a while, facial skin changes from the volume loss. My skin looked older, and I looked more aged overall.
What Is the Difference Between Ozempic and Mounjaro Face?
Moujaro (semaglutide) is another brand that releases medication similar to Ozempic to treat type two diabetes. It can suppress appetite and stabilize blood sugar, which can help with losing weight.
As such, the difference comes from the medication that causes the aged facial features.
Solutions to Ozempic Face
It is challenging to avoid “Ozempic face” because you cannot pick where you lose weight. While Buccal fat removal isolates fat loss in the face, Ozempic works to remove weight all over – even if you want to maintain fuller and rounder cheeks. Therefore, there are skin treatments to restore lost volume in this area.
Facial Fillers
A dermal filler is the least invasive method to counteract the draining effects of the face. Some of these medications are FDA approved but only resolve the visual problem temporarily. Still, this option is cost-effective and time efficient.
Plastic Surgery
Another option to combat Ozempic face is a face lift applied surgically. This permanently alters the face so that it appears as you want it to look using the expert hands of a plastic surgeon.
Additionally, people affected by Ozempic can receive a neck lift if the impact spread below the chin.
Skin-Tightening
Treatments that tighten the skin are also a satisfactory solution to gaunt it. These use the power of fillers to stimulate collagen and elastin.
Other Side Effects of Ozempic
Cosmetic and clinical research shows the link between the consumption of Ozempic with the loss of volume in the facial area. However, other side effects can impact users, including possible massive weight loss, and the following:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Vomiting
In more severe cases, thyroid cancer or medullary thyroid carcinoma could arise among users. Therefore, it is crucial that anyone interested in taking the drug talk with their primary care physician. They should discuss personal or family history to ensure the medication is safe to take – whether for treating diabetes or losing weight. You’ll also want to know a list of foods to avoid while taking this as some can make you sick.
The Bottom Line
The FDA-approved prescription drug Ozempic assists in alleviating blood sugar spikes for patients with type two diabetes. Paired with a healthy diet and regular physical activity, it can reduce the risk of conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.
Certain lifestyle modifications can prevent these severe circumstances from happening, but many people need the assistance of medication. With this comes side effects that may or may not be appealing.
Overall, I feel that I receive more fulfillment from taking the drug for health-related reasons as opposed to reasons of appearance.