What is “Mounjaro Face”?

“Mounjaro face” is a term used to describe the loss of volume or facial weight loss that happens in some people who use Mounjaro for weight loss. Although it is not a medical diagnosis or confirmed side effect of the weight loss medication, it is a change in appearance that some users report.

Read more to find out more about what “Mounjaro face” is, what it looks like, and what you can do to prevent it.

Mounjaro face is a term used to describe the sagging, sunken, or hollowed facial appearance that can result from rapid weight loss caused by Mounjaro. Mounjaro face is a colloquial term and not a medical diagnosis. It’s also not a confirmed Mounjaro side effect.

Despite its name, Mounjaro face is not unique to Mounjaro and can occur with any significant or rapid weight loss. It usually affects specific areas of the face, such as the cheeks, temples, and eyes, but it is not caused by damage to your facial structure. Instead, it happens because of a loss of facial fat in a relatively short space of time.

Although changes in your appearance may be distressing at first, they are a normal part of rapid weight loss and usually nothing to worry about.

Mounjaro face is not exclusively caused by Mounjaro but rather by the rapid and significant loss of subcutaneous fat in the face, which leads to a hollowed, sagging, or aged appearance.

Fat loss

Your face naturally contains fat pads, which support facial contours and help your skin to look smooth. When you lose weight, these areas naturally lose volume, and the skin becomes looser, which can lead to:

• your cheeks looking less full
• more visible lines and creases
• an increasingly angular face

Changes in skin elasticity

As you age, your skin naturally loses elasticity, so it does not easily return to its original shape after weight loss. Several factors can influence how noticeable facial changes are, including:

• your age
• smoking
• sun exposure
• hydration
• skin health

Rapid weight loss

Losing weight too quickly can affect your appearance, with skin and soft tissues adapting better to more gradual weight loss. Aim to lose 0.5 to 1 kg of weight per week, this is considered safe and sustainable.

Mounjaro face does not affect everyone who uses weight loss medication or loses weight naturally, and people who are affected may report the changes to their face differently.

Some of the common before and after Mounjaro face changes include:

• changes to the size of your lips, cheeks, or chin
• sunken or dark circles under the eyes
• increased lines on the face
• abnormal fat distribution on the face
• hollow-looking temples

Some changes in your facial appearance are common during weight loss. As the amount of body fat reduces, it’s normal to lose some volume in your face. For example, some people notice sharper cheekbones or a more defined jawline.

Mounjaro face is more common in older people. One study found that in people aged 69 and above, ageing affects the physical properties of the skin’s middle layer, the dermis, and the quality of collagen reduces, meaning it becomes stiffer, rougher, and harder. So, as you age and you lose weight, your skin may not shrink back as easily as it did when you were younger, which can lead to the distinctive features of Mounjaro face.

Mounjaro face is also more common if you:

• lose weight rapidly rather than slowly and sustainably
• lose a large amount of weight overall
• do not eat enough protein during weight loss
• are dehydrated
• have sun-related skin damage
• have thinner facial fat distribution

How long Mounjaro face lasts can vary from person to person. Some people may notice temporary changes to their facial appearance during their weight loss journey, while for others, it may be a long lasting effect.

You may notice that changes in your facial appearance settle or slow down once you reach a maintenance dose of Mounjaro. However, this can take several weeks to happen. Once you reach this stage, further noticeable changes are less likely.

Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent Mounjaro face from happening, there are several things you can do to prevent it or minimise its effects. From simple things, like making healthy lifestyle choices to discussing your Mounjaro dose with your doctor can all help.

1. Aim for steady weight loss

One of the key ways to prevent Mounjaro face is to aim for gradual and sustainable rather than rapid weight loss. This allows your skin more time to adapt to the changes you are making to your lifestyle and the fat and muscle losses that may be occurring in the body. According to the NHS, a safe and sustainable weight loss rate is between 0.5 to 1kg per week.

2. Get regular exercise

Regular physical activity is important both for weight loss and for maintaining muscle mass and tone to help improve the appearance of your skin. Research also shows that regular exercise also minimises age-related skin changes.

3. Eat more protein

Protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass during weight loss. It is important to prioritise protein-rich foods, such as:

• lean meat
• fish
• tofu
• edamame
• eggs
• nuts

4. Stay hydrated

Hydration helps to keep your skin looking fuller and helps maintain its elasticity. If you’re dehydrated it can exaggerate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, so sipping water throughout the day can help to keep your skin looking younger and healthier. Most people should aim to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day, but this can vary depending on exercise output, temperature, and illness.

5. Keep your skin moisturised

According to a recent study, applying moisturiser to the skin helps to keep the skin’s layers moisturised and has a more favourable effect on the appearance of skin than additional water intake. Therefore, applying a good quality moisturiser to your skin daily may also improve its appearance during weight loss.

6. Protect your skin from the sun

Sun exposure damages your skin over time. Applying sunscreen daily can reduce skin ageing by 24% compared to those who wear sunscreen occasionally. Choose a sunscreen that has a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 for the biggest benefit.

7. Make positive lifestyle changes

Diet and exercise are just 2 of the positive changes you can make to your lifestyle, but things like giving up smoking, prioritising good sleep, and reducing your alcohol intake are all positive steps you can take to limit the effects of weight loss and ageing on your skin.

8. Adjust your Mounjaro dose

Although there is a Mounjaro dosage schedule, you can choose to remain on a lower dose for longer if you think it is helpful. If you think you’re losing weight too quickly on your current dose, speak to your doctor about adjusting your treatment, to help slow the rate you are losing weight. This may help to minimise the visible changes to your skin and can be helpful if you’re getting Mounjaro side effects.

Mounjaro face is not always reversible, but your appearance can improve as your weight loss stabilises. You can help to minimise the effects of Mounjaro face by:

Staying hydrated throughout the day

Staying hydrated may help your skin look healthier and more supple while losing weight on Mounjaro. Dehydration can make the skin appear drier, duller, and less elastic, which may make facial volume loss more noticeable. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is especially important if you experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, which can increase fluid loss.

Prioritising protein intake

Eating enough protein during weight loss may help reduce the loss of lean muscle mass, including the muscles that help support the structure of the face. Protein can also help you feel fuller for longer, supporting steadier and more sustainable weight loss. Good protein sources include eggs, fish, chicken, Greek yoghurt, tofu, lentils, and beans.

Performing some facial exercises

Some people choose to try facial exercises, sometimes known as “face yoga”, to help maintain muscle tone in the face during weight loss. Although evidence is limited, exercises targeting the cheeks and jawline may help improve circulation and facial muscle engagement, which some people feel supports a firmer appearance.

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Protecting your skin from the sun

Sun exposure can damage collagen and elastin, which help keep the skin firm and elastic, potentially making sagging or fine lines more noticeable during weight loss. Wearing a broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher each day, even in the UK’s colder months, may help protect the skin from premature ageing caused by UV exposure.

Applying a daily moisturiser

Using a daily moisturiser may help keep your skin hydrated and support the skin barrier while losing weight on Mounjaro. Moisturised skin often appears smoother and plumper, which may reduce the appearance of dryness and fine lines.

Most of the changes caused by Mounjaro face are cosmetic and are not harmful to your health. As you get used to your changing appearance and weight loss, these effects are likely to become less noticeable.

Not everyone will need to see a doctor about Mounjaro face, as the effects may become less visible as your treatment progresses and your weight loss stabilises. However, if facial changes feel severe or sudden, or are causing you distress, you should speak to a doctor for advice.

See a doctor if you are getting any of the following:

• the changes to your appearance are causing you distress
• you are finding it difficult to eat or drink enough on Mounjaro
• weight loss is happening faster than you expected
• you feel unwell
• Mounjaro side effects are impacting your daily life

Seeking medical advice early can help manage any issues you are having and can help support you to lose weight safely and sustainably.

Yes, other weight loss injections can change the way you look. Ozempic face is a commonly reported effect of using semaglutide (Wegovy) for weight loss, resulting in a more hollowed, aged, or gaunt appearance, just like Mounjaro face.

These effects are not a direct side effect of weight loss medication, but are a direct result of rapid, overall body fat loss that affects the facial fat pads. These effects can also be caused by non-medicated weight loss, especially if it happens too quickly. Adopting a slow and steady approach to weight loss can give your skin more time to adapt and manage facial changes.