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Rapid weight loss from medications like Ozempic and Wegovy isn’t always where you expect it-and that includes your face. The medications, while effective for many, can lead to noticeable changes in facial volume, leaving some patients looking “downward pulled” rather than simply slimmer. Experts say six areas are notably prone to these shifts.
Ozempic and Wegovy: What Happens to Your Face?
Table of Contents
The popular GLP-1 medications can cause volume loss in the face, leading to a hollowed or deflated appearance.
- GLP-1 medications cause fat loss throughout the body, including the face.
- facial fat loss can affect structural support and contribute to a more aged appearance.
- Six areas of the face are commonly affected: temples, midface, under-eyes, jawline, neck, and lips.
- Treatments like fillers, lasers, and surgical procedures can help restore volume and address these changes.
GLP-1 medications work by prompting fat loss across the entire body, and that includes areas of the face where fat contributes to a youthful look and structural support. “It doesn’t discriminate against different types of fat and can affect facial fat, which is necessary for structural support and a youthful look,” explains Steven Curti, MD, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Palo Alto, CA.
What causes these facial changes? According to Melissa Hamilton,MD,a board-certified dermatologist in Scottsdale,AZ,the rapid fat loss is the primary culprit. “When you lose weight quickly, the skin doesn’t have time to adjust, and you can end up with excess skin and a loss of volume,” she says. Hear’s a breakdown of the areas most affected:
Temples
“The temples are often the first place to show volume loss,” says Dr. Curti. “As fat diminishes, the temples can become hollowed, creating a gaunt appearance.”
Midface
Fat loss in the midface, specifically the cheeks, can lead to a flattened appearance and accentuate nasolabial folds (the lines running from the nose to the mouth). Dr. Hamilton explains that this loss of support can make the face look “downward pulled.”
Under-Eyes
The under-eye area is particularly susceptible to volume loss. “The tear troughs can become more pronounced, creating dark circles and a tired look,” says Dr. Hamilton. Dr. Curti adds that the fat pads under the eyes can shrink, contributing to hollowness.
Jawline
The jowls are another common area affected by GLP-1 weight loss.According to Dr. Curti, fat loss along the jawline can reveal underlying skin laxity that was previously supported by volume. Dr. Hamilton notes that jowling can be particularly distressing for those who lose weight rapidly or later in life, potentially contributing to a “turkey neck.”
Neck
“The neck is especially vulnerable to rapid weight loss because reduced fat support combined with thinner skin can reveal platysmal banding, crepiness and laxity,” says Dr. Hamilton. this phenomenon, frequently enough called “Ozempic neck,” occurs when volume disappears quickly and the skin struggles to retract.
Lips
GLP-1 use can also lead to thinner-appearing lips. More significantly, dr. Curti notes that the fat and collagen surrounding the lips may deflate, making lines around the mouth more visible and contributing to an aged appearance.
Treatments to consider
Fortunately, several treatments can address these concerns with minimal downtime. Injectables are frequently part of the solution. “Strategically placed dermal fillers and biostimulators such as Sculptra are ideal for bringing volume back into the middle of the face and can also treat hollowness in the temples,” says Dr. Curti.
While injectables can be used under the eyes, Dr. Hamilton recommends a combined approach.”A CO2 laser can improve thin,crepey skin,while microneedling with topical submission of a biostimulatory medication is also helpful,” she says.
The experts agree that the neck and jawline frequently enough require more comprehensive procedures, such as a face and necklift. “When combined with strategic fat transfer, it’s the gold standard for addressing volume loss, jowling and neck laxity,” says Dr.Hamilton.
