{"id":372316,"date":"2025-11-11T20:30:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T20:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/372316\/"},"modified":"2025-11-11T20:30:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T20:30:19","slug":"doctors-explain-ozempic-face-and-what-to-do-about-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/372316\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctors Explain \u2018Ozempic Face\u2019 and What to Do About It"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Ozempic butt<\/a> to stomach issues, Ozempic side effects<\/a> are a mainstay in headlines. The \u201cOzempic face\u201d phenomenon continues to emerge as a result of people taking the medication. According to research<\/a>, it\u2019s a term used to describe the exaggerated volume loss and consequent \u201cadvanced facial aging\u201d that may result from taking semaglutide, the class of GLP-1 medications under which Ozempic falls.<\/p>\n

Meet the experts: Joshua Zeichner, M.D.<\/a>, director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital; Christoph Buettner, M.D., Ph.D., chief in the division of endocrinology at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Jamie Alan, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University; Priya Jaisinghani, M.D.<\/a>, endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist at NYU Langone Health, clinical assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine; Mark Hamilton, M.D., Indianapolis facial plastic surgeon and chairman of the public information committee for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery<\/a> <\/p>\n

Ozempic is a medication that\u2019s designed to be used along with a diet and exercise program to help regulate blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, according to Medline Plus<\/a>. It mimics a protein in your body called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), Jamie Alan, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, explained. When you take Ozempic or similar medications, it activates those GLP-1 receptors, increasing insulin to help with blood sugar management.<\/p>\n

Although the medication is meant to treat type 2 diabetes, it and similar drugs have shown weight loss as a side effect. \u201cOzempic allows patients to lose weight mostly by reducing appetite,\u201d Christoph Buettner, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the division of endocrinology at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, said. It does so by affecting the part of the brain that deals with hunger, he adds, and reducing \u201cfood noise\u201d<\/a> or persistent thoughts about food.<\/p>\n

Ozempic is technically only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes<\/a>; however, it is prescribed off-label for weight loss, and its sister semaglutide medication, Wegovy, is FDA-approved for weight loss. But what is \u201cOzempic face,\u201d exactly, and why does it happen? Below, doctors explain everything you need to know about the phenomenon. <\/p>\n

\u201cOzempic face\u201d symptoms<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to be clear upfront that \u201cOzempic face\u201d isn\u2019t a medical term, but was coined by a doctor in a New York Times<\/a> interview. It\u2019s an informal term describing facial changes linked to a reduction in facial fat, resulting in the appearance of sagging and wrinkles, explained Priya Jaisinghani, M.D.<\/a>, endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist at NYU Langone Health, clinical assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. \u201cThis effect may be more noticeable, particularly when there\u2019s significant, rapid weight loss,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Experts also generally agree that the term refers to a more gaunt, skinny face that can make someone look older than they are. <\/p>\n

The director of media relations for Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company that makes Ozempic, also shared the following with Prevention last year: \u201cWhile we recognize that some healthcare providers may be prescribing Ozempic for patients whose goal is to lose weight, Novo Nordisk does not promote, suggest, or encourage off-label use of our medicines and is committed to fully complying with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations in the promotion of our products. We trust that healthcare providers are evaluating a patient\u2019s individual needs and determining which medicine is right for that particular patient. Because you are asking about side effects resulting from using this medicine off-label, we cannot comment on this specifically.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why does \u201cOzempic face\u201d happen?<\/p>\n

It all comes down to weight loss. \u201cWeight loss, whether it is from diet, exercise, surgery, or a medication, takes a toll on your face,\u201d explained Joshua Zeichner, M.D.<\/a>, director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. \u201cFat in the face helps us maintain a naturally youthful appearance. When you lose facial fat, the face often appears gaunt and skeletonized. Especially in people who lose large amounts of weight, the face can appear significantly older.\u201d <\/p>\n

As you lose body fat, \u201cskin may become less plump and wrinkles may become more noticeable,\u201d said Dr. Buettner. Ozempic face can be even more noticeable in people who once had obesity, Dr. Zeichner said. \u201cYears of excess fat often stretch the skin, so when the weight comes off, the loose skin may hang on the face, just as it can on the body,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n

Does Ozempic change your face or skin?<\/p>\n

Drug-induced or not, weight loss may lead to a change in how you look. \u201cOzempic, like other weight loss interventions, may lead to a \u2018hollowed\u2019 appearance in the face due to reduced fat volume,\u201d said Dr. Jaisinghani. \u201cThis can contribute to facial changes, including the appearance of more wrinkles and loose or sagging skin, which can be seen with any weight loss intervention.\u201d
<\/p>\n

Can \u201cOzempic face\u201d happen with other medications?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, facial volume loss may be a side effect of taking any weight loss medication. The phrase has simply been pinned to Ozempic. \u201cFat is stored in the face and can be lost using any weight loss drug,\u201d said Alan. However, the more rapidly they work, the more exaggerated the effect may be, he adds.<\/p>\n

Wegovy is a GLP-1 prescribed for weight loss, along with tirzepatide medications like Zepbound<\/a> and Mounjaro. Like the Ozempic and Wegovy relationship, Zepbound and Mounjaro have the same active ingredient but are FDA-approved for different uses. Zepbound is FDA-approved for weight loss, while Mounjaro is FDA-approved for blood sugar management in people with type 2 diabetes. However, Mounjaro may sometimes be prescribed off-label for weight loss. <\/p>\n

How to avoid \u201cOzempic face\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

It can be difficult to know exactly how to lower the risk of developing Ozempic face. If you find yourself developing it and it bothers you, it\u2019s a good idea to talk to your doctor, Ife J. Rodney, M.D., founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics<\/a>, said. <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re on the medication for blood sugar management, your doctor may suggest a different medication or reducing the dosage, Dr. Rodney said. But if you\u2019re taking it for weight loss, she recommends being aware that tweaking your Ozempic use could impact more than just how your face looks. \u201cI sometimes recommend reducing the dosage of Ozempic, but it does mean you would see slower results in terms of the weight loss,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

There may also be some dietary changes you can make to avoid facial volume loss. In general, you\u2019ll see better weight loss results when you eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and protein\u2014emphasis on protein, said Kunal Shah, M.D<\/a>., an assistant professor in the division of endocrinology at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center.<\/p>\n

Protein helps build and repair your muscles, as well as keep your bones healthy, and eating enough may counteract muscle loss associated with rapid weight loss. Making sure you have enough protein in your diet can also help you to feel fuller, longer, as well as support the connective tissue in your body, keeping you healthier overall, Dr. Shah explained. The recommended daily allowance<\/a> (RDA) for protein is considered to be about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams of protein per pound. As a result, someone who weighs 165 pounds (or 75 kilograms) should aim to have 60 grams of protein per day.<\/p>\n

Still, it\u2019s important to manage expectations. There is no way to prevent Ozempic face for certain because you can\u2019t choose where you lose weight on your body. <\/p>\n

Will \u201cOzempic face\u201d go away?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to say. Since Ozempic face isn\u2019t an actual medical condition, there is no set treatment for it. \u201cNot that much can be done about the loss of fat in your face while you are losing weight,\u201d Dr. Buettner said. \u201cBut it is good to keep hydrated, as dehydrated skin can appear dull and wrinkles may become more pronounced.\u201d<\/p>\n

He suggested using moisturizers<\/a> and other skincare products designed to plump and hydrate skin. \u201cAlso, in the long-term, avoid sun exposure, as sun damage can cause wrinkles, age spots, and other signs of aging,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

People who are concerned may consider injectable fillers, Dr. Zeichner said, which may \u201chelp restore volume in the face,\u201d and can \u201cbe used to improve a gaunt facial appearance as a result of weight loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark Hamilton, M.D., Indianapolis facial plastic surgeon and chairman of the public information committee for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery<\/a>, agreed. \u201cInjectable fillers are the easiest way to re-volumize the face,\u201d he says. \u201cThese can be done in the office with an immediate effect and little downtime.\u201d But they come with their own side effects and usually have to be maintained with repeat office visits.<\/p>\n

Treatments like microfrequency facials may also help tighten the skin, Dr. Zeichner said. For long-term solutions, people may have fat-grafting surgery or cheek and facial implant surgery, Dr. Hamilton added. <\/p>\n

Ozempic side effects<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to the Ozempic website<\/a>, possible side effects may include:<\/p>\n