Table of ContentsWhat is Ozempic?What is “Ozempic face”?How to treat Ozempic face
What you should knowSchedule a consultation with Cutis |
Ozempic, an injectable medication for type 2 diabetes, has gotten so much attention in the last few years due to its side effect of rapid weight loss. While it was originally created to help patients with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar, its weight loss side effect quickly stole headlines and made people without said condition try Ozempic.
And as more people use it for weight loss, there has been a common side effect of sagging skin and perception of wrinkles, also known as “Ozempic face”. Continue reading as we learn more about this medication, Ozempic face, and what you can do you do to combat or treat Ozempic face.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic, a common brand name for semaglutide, is a prescription injection used to manage blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It is injected weekly to help the pancreas make more insulin and lower blood sugar levels. Ozempic was approved in 2017 for treating type 2 diabetes, while its sister drug, Wegovy, was approved in 2021 for long-term weight management.
Ozempic’s active ingredient is semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It mimics the action of the body’s GLP-1 hormone, which is naturally released in response to food intake. Ozempic or similar medications activate GLP-1 receptors to increase insulin and help people manage their blood sugar.
The medication enables people to lose weight, not by burning fat, but causing them to eat fewer calories. It suppresses your appetite or hunger signals, inducing the satiety or the feeling of being full or satisfied. Weight loss is a common side effect, as well as nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation.
What is “Ozempic face”?
Ozempic face is the term coined (from a New York Times article) to describe the facial side effects of Ozempic. It mainly refers to the loss of fat in the face, which causes the face to look hollowed out. It also creates the appearance of sagging and wrinkles, giving the face an aged look. Common facial symptoms include:
- Facial fat loss, causing a sagging appearance
- More visible signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles
- A hollowed-out appearance
A recent article from Harvard Health Publishing notes that “Ozempic face” can be a side effect of any GLP-1 drugs as well as other medications and extreme diets that cause rapid weight loss. They can induce rapid facial fat loss which can cause:
- Sunken or droopy appearance
- Facial wrinkles
- Sunken eyes
- Changes in the lips, cheeks, and nose
- Jowls around the jaw and neck
These side effects are less likely to happen with gradual weight loss. It is the rapid pace that makes the changes so significant and noticeable. Losing dramatic amounts of weight can also result in sagging and aging in other areas of the body.
How to treat Ozempic face
Facial side effects brought on by Ozempic or any other weight loss drug can be treated with aesthetic treatments or cosmetic surgery. To combat the sagging or aging appearance, a doctor may add more volume to or contour the affected area or help restore skin elasticity. Some procedures that may help include:
- Dermal fillers – Fat loss in the cheek area is the most common side effect of Ozempic face. Facial fillers in Singapore can restore volume and improve facial contours without going under the knife. They can plump sunken areas like the cheeks and under-eye hollows to create a more refreshed appearance. Fillers, furthermore can improve wrinkles and folds, and even stimulate collagen production.
- Non-invasive skin tightening – Radiofrequency and ultrasound skin tightening devices can also be used to non-invasively lift and treat sagging skin on the face and neck. Micro-focused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V), for instance, uses time-tested focused ultrasound energy to heat the deeper layers and stimulate collagen to tighten the skin or reduce the appearance of sagging.
There are cases, however, where non-surgical procedures may not be enough to combat the facial side effects. Certain significant changes may sometimes require a surgical facelift or similar procedures to fix sagging skin. This is why when trying to lose weight, it is best to keep it gradual and steady.
What you should know
Ozempic should only be prescribed by a doctor and only to people with type 2 diabetes or health concerns associated with obesity. It should not be taken solely for weight loss, as it is not approved for that purpose. It is also important to know and understand both the short- and long-term effects of Ozempic or any other medication you plan to take.
Consulting a healthcare provider is also advisable if you need or are considering taking medication to slim down. Liraglutide or Saxenda, for instance, is both US FDA and HSA-approved medication for chronic weight management. It is a prescription medicine that works best when used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise.
Moreover, you cannot solely depend on semaglutide, liraglutide, and similar medications to lose weight. You need to make changes to what you consume and how you move throughout the day. Non-invasive fat reduction procedures such as Vanquish ME and CoolSculpting Elite in Singapore are only suitable if you are near your ideal weight but have localized fat bulges that won’t seem to go away.
Schedule a consultation with Cutis
If you’re bothered with signs of aging on the face, our aesthetic clinic in Singapore has several non-surgical aesthetic treatments that can improve them. From cosmetic injections to lasers and energy-based skin tightening, we can help restore your youthful appearance without going under the knife. Contact Cutis today to schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor.
Sources:
https://www.prevention.com/health/a42673794/what-is-ozempic-face/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ozempic-face#other-side-effects
- If you would like to be an informed patient, please contact us at +65-6801-4000 or
cutis@cutislaserclinics.com. - Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, 9 Scotts Road Pacific Plaza, Scotts Medical Center #08-07, Singapore – 228210
+65-6801-4000 - cutis@cutislaserclinics.com
