Trends come and go. One of the latest trends that has made waves in public discourse and turned our civil society upside down is a seemingly unassuming medication, called Ozempic. Originally designed to manage Type 2 diabetes, Ozempic works by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that regulates blood sugar levels and signals to your stomach that it’s full. For this reason, it has gained popularity off-label as a weight loss medication due to its ability to significantly reduce appetite. Along with the rise of Ozempic, the term ‘Ozempic Face’ has appeared, referring to the volume loss and hollowness of the face caused by drastic, rapid weight loss while on the medication.
In a recent interview with PureWow, New York facelift expert Dr. Konstantin Vasyukevich joined a panel of other plastic surgeons and shed light on ‘Ozempic Face’ while offering insights into how to manage and mitigate its negative effects.
One of the first things to know about ‘Ozempic Face’ is that it is not just a slimmer looking face that would normally happen after the weight loss. The term usually refers to the seemingly accelerated facial aging that typically occurs in patients that take Ozempic and experience rapid weight loss. The hollow appearance of one’s face comes from volume loss. Without the underlying fat, the skin of the face begins to appear loose, causing deep creases and folds in the face to become more apparent. This skin laxity, deep creases and wrinkles are typically associated with advanced age, but unfortunately can also appear in much younger people after loosing significant weight within a short period of time. Whether the weight loss is from strenuous exercise; strict diet; medications; post-partum changes; gastric sleeve or bypass surgery ; or any other reason the effects on the appearance of the face are the same. Dr. Konstantin explains that “When you lose weight quickly, your body doesn’t have enough time to adjust. This includes the loss of facial fat, which provides volume and structure to your face”.
As such can be the case with ‘Ozempic face’. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to address the loss of facial fat, restore volume and rejuvenate the face. So how can you treat it? Well the consensus is that, volume restoration with either facial fillers or fat grafting and lifting the skin with a facelift are most often the best treatment options to. If someone prefers to return to their original facial contour, volume restoration with filler or fat grafting would be the best treatment. If one prefers a slimmer face than they originally had before Ozempic and to remove sagging skin, a facelift would accomplish exactly that.
Many people embark on weight loss journeys aiming to feel healthier and look better, believing the two go hand-in-hand—when you look your best, you feel your best. However, rapid weight loss can sometimes lead to undesirable changes in appearance, undermining the progress made and taking an emotional toll. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive plan that addresses your physical, mental, and emotional needs, ensuring sustainable and healthy results that truly enhance your overall wellbeing.
If you are experiencing loose or sagging skin after rapid weight loss, Dr. Konstantin is here to help you take the next step in your transformation journey and achieve the rejuvenated appearance you desire. To schedule an appointment, please contact us via our consultation form or call us at 212-380-3634.
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