Fillers
'Ozempic Face': Why Weight Loss Changes the Face, and What Can Help
'Ozempic face' is a term from social media for the changes some people notice in their face after losing a lot of weight. Here is what is actually happening, and the options a doctor may talk through with you.
Key Points
- The changes are caused by losing facial fat and volume, which can happen after any significant weight loss, not only with weight-loss injections.
- Common changes include flatter cheeks, deeper smile and marionette lines, and looser skin along the jaw line.
- Dermal fillers and collagen stimulating treatments are among the options a doctor may discuss.
- Every plan starts with a face to face consultation and examination.
What Is 'Ozempic Face'?
The term became popular as more people used weight-loss injections. But the changes it describes are not specific to one medicine. They can follow any significant weight loss, whether through diet, surgery, illness or medication.
Your body cannot choose where it loses fat from, so as you lose weight you also lose some of the fat that gives the face its shape and support.
What Changes Do People Notice?
People commonly notice flatter cheeks, deeper smile lines (the lines from the nose to the mouth) and marionette lines, more hollowness under the eyes, and looser skin under the chin and along the jaw line. Losing weight quickly, losing a large amount, and being over 40 can make these changes more noticeable.
What Can Help?
Treatment depends on what has changed and what you would like. Options a doctor may discuss include:
Dermal fillers. Dermal fillers are gel-like substances that are injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smooth lines and soften creases, or enhance facial contours. At Dr Hana Aesthetics these include cheek filler, and fillers for smile lines, marionette lines, chin and jaw line.
Collagen stimulators. Sculptra is a collagen stimulating filler, made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). It works by helping the skin rebuild natural collagen. Radiesse is a collagen-stimulating filler, made of calcium hydroxylapatite (CAHA), typically used to treat the mid-face.
Skin quality treatments. Profhilo and polynucleotides focus on the quality of the skin itself rather than adding volume, and are sometimes used alongside other treatments.
For more advanced skin laxity, surgery may be the more appropriate route, and Dr Hana will tell you honestly if that is the case.
When Is the Right Time to Treat?
Many doctors prefer to wait until your weight has been stable for a while, so the treatment plan reflects how your face will look going forward. Dr Hana will discuss timing with you at your consultation.
A Note on Safety
Weight-loss medicines are prescription medicines and should only come from a registered prescriber after a proper clinical assessment. If you are considering treatment for facial changes, choose a medically qualified practitioner and make sure you have a face to face consultation first. All treatments carry some risk, which Dr Hana will explain to you.
Questions
Does 'Ozempic Face' Only Happen With Weight-Loss Injections?
No. Similar changes can happen after any significant weight loss. The term simply became popular as weight-loss injections became more common.
Which Treatment Is Best for Volume Loss?
It depends on where volume has been lost, your skin and what you would like. Dr Hana will examine you and advise at your free face to face consultation.
Should I Wait Until I Have Finished Losing Weight?
Often, yes. Many doctors prefer your weight to be stable before planning volume treatments. Dr Hana will discuss this with you.
Dr Hana Aesthetics
Every treatment is carried out by Dr Hana (Dr Hanieh Mimeh), a GMC registered medical doctor with a Masters (MSc) in Aesthetic Medicine. This article is general information and not a substitute for a face to face consultation. Read more.
