Over the years, weight loss has become increasingly accessible to many individuals. Technology has been playing a large role in this development, with many applications now being able to track one’s diet and activities and recommend viable courses of action—all for free. On top of this, several weight loss options have also begun rolling into the market—one of these being semaglutide, more commonly known by the brand name Ozempic.

Ozempic’s popularity has quickly risen due to its effectiveness, with many people expressing their approval of the medicine after having a go at it. However, just like many medications, it can come with its own side effects. For this drug, one such notable effect has been dubbed "Ozempic face." In fact, #Ozempicface was recently trending on social media sites, with patients and dermatologists alike observing rapid skin aging on the faces of some who've used the drug.

Understanding medical weight loss and Ozempic

Before anything else, it's important to understand the medical interventions in which Ozempic plays a part. The primary aspect that separates medical weight loss programs from regular weight loss plans is the direct guidance of a medical professional, particularly a physician. This is a lot more structured and often involves monitoring an individual’s progress through comprehensive metabolic testing. Unlike regular programs, which most people can participate in at any time, medical weight loss is only offered to individuals who satisfy specific requirements. To be found eligible for this initiative, patients must have a BMI greater than 30 or a BMI close to 30 but with comorbidities like diabetes. Additionally, patients must be dealing with chronic weight loss issues brought up by more complicated factors outside of diet and exercise, like biology.

For patients who do make the cut, carefully regulated medications that influence weight loss play a central role. Today, some of the most popular medications include Saxenda and Wegovy, which can result in up to 15% weight loss. Ozempic is another such drug that is often used for medical weight loss. Originally approved by the FDA in 2017 for regulating the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks, Ozempic has recently been used in off-label prescriptions to help curb food cravings, thereby initiating weight loss.

What is Ozempic face?

Ozempic face is essentially the rapid aging of facial appearance experienced by users of the said medication. This manifests in various ways, such as hollowing of the eyes and wrinkling and sagging of the skin. All of this contributes to making an individual’s face appear a lot more gaunt.

However, one of the biggest misconceptions regarding this phenomenon is that it is caused by the Ozempic drug itself. Rather, the side effect is simply brought about by the sudden weight loss over a short period of time. Since facial fat also reduces with weight loss, there is a natural reduction in the face's volume. Also, suddenly losing weight does not give the skin enough time to adjust, which is why it ends up looking saggy for some. This is one of the primary reasons why it is crucial to use Ozempic only with the recommendation and guidance of a healthcare professional via medical weight loss programs. In such carefully managed programs with experts at the helm, weight loss with Ozempic and other chronic weight medications is a lot more stable and safer.

How to treat Ozempic face

While facial procedures like microneedling and fillers are popular ways to treat this condition, there are less invasive solutions, too.

Anti-aging skincare products
While seeing evident changes may take a longer time than procedures, skincare products are less invasive, not to mention a more affordable method to help improve one’s skin condition. Like facial procedures, there is a wide selection of products that can be easily acquired from drugstores and self-administered to treat Ozempic-related facial concerns. Some of these products include spray serums like our Vitamin Rich Repair, which complements daily anti-aging skincare routines, our Antioxidant Cocktail, which reduces fine lines and wrinkles across the face, and our even facial masks such as Hyla Active 3D Sculptured Face Mask, which is perfect for after microneedling sessions.

Skin-friendly foods
Healthy skin has always been associated with a well-rounded healthy diet. A lot of nourishing vitamins and minerals in food can begin repairing and boosting your skin from the inside out. For example, the daily intake of Vitamin C through citrus fruits and berries helps maintain skin elasticity through collagen production. In a similar way, the intake of Vitamin A through leafy greens helps heal damaged skin, making it great, especially after invasive skin procedures. By including servings of skin-friendly foods in your daily diet, your skin can help your skin bounce back from any Ozempic facial effects.