Ozempic Face: What does it look like and how to avoid it

In the UK, Ozempic is prescribed for managing blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is a weekly injection that contains the active ingredient semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Due to media coverage on the drug, although it is not licensed for weight loss treatment in the UK it is most referred to or heard of as a treatment for weight loss.

This is because GLP-1 agonists are also effective for weight loss, and semaglutide (the active Ozempic ingredient) is licensed under the brand name Wegovy for weight loss in the UK. Mounjaro is another effective weight loss injection which is both a GLP-1 and GIP agonist that can treat both obesity and diabetes.

One of the common effects of these weight loss medications is a change in your facial appearance. For example, you may have extra skin or a hollowness around the cheeks, a common side effect when you lose fat in your face. These changes have become known as ‘Ozempic face’.

In this guide, we’ll explain what Ozempic face is and the steps you can take to prevent it.

Ozempic face describes the noticeable facial changes that can occur in people who lose weight quickly. These changes have become known as Ozempic face because, Ozempic and other weight loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro, can promote rapid and effective weight loss which make facial changes more distinct.

Ozempic face is not a medical term or a direct side effect of using Ozempic, GLP-1 receptor agonists, or other weight loss medications. Instead, it is a result of significant and rapid weight loss and can occur even if you lose weight by making lifestyle changes alone.

As we age, our skin naturally loses its elasticity and subcutaneous fat. So, when rapid weight loss occurs, the skin doesn’t have time to react and adapt, leading to a gaunt or hollowed appearance.

What does Ozempic face typically look like?

Some of the typical features of Ozempic face include:

• sunken or dark circle under the eyes
• hollowed cheekbones or temples
• sagging skin around the jawline and neck (jowls)
• increased facial wrinkles that can make you look older
• changes to the size of your lips, cheeks, or chin
• abnormal distribution of fat within your face

These changes are the result of rapid weight loss, but losing weight more gradually can limit the appearance of these facial changes. That’s because gradual weight loss gives your skin more time to adjust and retain its elasticity.

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro may cause facial changes due to rapid weight loss, leading to a noticeable reduction in facial fat.

For example, clinical studies show that Wegovy can help people lose an average 15% of their body weight in 68 weeks, while Mounjaro can lead to a 22.5% reduction over 72 weeks. This significant fat loss can create a hollowed or gaunt appearance, often referred to as Ozempic face.

To avoid this, experts generally recommend a gradual weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week for healthier, more sustainable results.

In the Wegovy study, participants who lost weight with a calorie-controlled diet and 150 minutes of weekly exercise alone lost 2.4% of their starting body weight over 68 weeks on average, compared to 15% when combined with the medication.

GLP-1 medications may accelerate facial ageing through several mechanisms, including:

• loss of white adipose (fat) tissue in and beneath the skin
• changes in the number of fat-derived stem cells
• altered production and secretion of hormones and metabolic factors

These changes affect the skin’s structure and function, reducing facial muscle mass and enhancing visible signs of ageing. However, Ozempic face is not exclusive to GLP-1 medications – it can occur with any form of rapid weight loss.

There are several ways you can prevent or treat Ozempic face, such as:

Will Ozempic face go away?

When you lose or gain weight, it is natural for your facial appearance to change. Most people who stop taking GLP-1 medications regain some or all of their weight. If this happens, your facial appearance may return to what it was before. However, it is important to consider the wider health implications regaining your weight will have.

Alternatively, you may choose to consider a cosmetic procedure to limit the appearance of an Ozempic face. Some of the possible treatments include:

• facial or dermal fillers – injectable gels that smooth wrinkles and plump up the skin
• skin tightening procedures – a non-surgical procedure that uses radio waves to stimulate collagen production, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and improving sagging skin
• microneedling – a minimally invasive procedure that uses tiny needles to stimulate collagen production in the skin
• plastic surgery – cosmetic treatments like a face or neck lift can lift and tighten the tissues and muscles in your face or cheek implants can create fuller cheeks to round out the gaunt appearance of rapid weight loss

If you do not regain your weight or choose not to have any treatments to restore your facial appearance, your face will likely remain the way it is after weight loss.

Ozempic face is caused by rapid weight loss and isn’t a direct side effect of taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro. It shouldn’t put you off approved weight loss medications because the health benefits of losing weight far outweigh the aesthetic effects of reducing your overall body weight.

However, there are many things you can do to limit the chances of experiencing Ozempic face, such as adapting your weight loss journey to promote gradual weight loss, ensuring you are properly hydrated, and prioritising a protein-rich diet. There are also skincare and cosmetic treatments that can improve your facial appearance after weight loss.

If you are concerned about Ozempic face or any other effects of weight loss, speak to your doctor. They should be able to help you devise a weight loss plan that will support your health and general appearance, in addition to enabling you to experience the health benefits of losing weight.