Ozempic Face: Rapid Weight Loss & Risks

Appetite suppressants, laxatives, and skinny shot injections- there are so many different pills and treatments out there to help us lose weight. Whether it’s effective or safe enough, are the real questions. If you’ve kept up with trends recently, you’ll know that Ozempic is one of the hottest topics right now. Let’s go over everything you need to know about Ozempic and the controversial effect it’s having on its current users.

What is Ozempic?

For those of you who don’t know, Ozempic is an injectable drug (semaglutide) that was originally designed to treat Type 2 diabetes. One of the more noticeable effects of using this drug is weight loss. Because of this, some people have been using Ozempic off-label to become thinner.

• According to Dr. Jennifer Levine, a NY-based plastic surgeon, Ozempic works by pushing the pancreas to secrete more insulin and decreasing the amount of glucagon created by the liver. In turn, this suppresses your appetite and slows down gastric motility to make you feel full for longer. 
• Studies have shown that participants who use Ozempic saw a 14.9% decrease in body weight.
• Celebrities like Elon Musk and TikTok stars like Remi Bader have revealed they’ve used Ozempic for weight loss.

Ozempic Face

Users of Ozempic are quickly finding out, however, that the rapid weight loss from the drug means accompanying facial volume loss. Other unwanted side effects include decreased collagen & elastin production as well as accelerated aging.

• The term “ozempic face” was used to describe this displeasing effect and coined by Paul Jarrod Frank, a NY-based dermatologist.
• The hashtag #ozempicface produces over 11.5 million views and 2.3 million posts on TikTok alone. Hundreds of users are sharing their stories while professionals share their insights.
• Significant weight loss in a short amount of time can deplete both the skin and body of essential nutrients & fatty acids. It can also disrupt the balance in the endocrine and GI system. As a result, the Ozempic face can appear gaunt, deflated, and saggy like a raisin. 
• Dr. David Shafer, another NY-based surgeon, compares it to a balloon full of air. The more air is released, the more elasticity is lost. The balloon cannot compensate for the loss of air volume.
• More common side effects of Ozempic include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Serious effects include tumors and risk of thyroid cancer.

Treatments & Solutions

If you’re experiencing Ozempic face, there are steps you can take to help. If you’re looking to improve the appearance of your skin:

• Follow a healthy diet
• Drink plenty of water 
• Protect yourself from the sun
• Include a retinoid in your skincare routine like my Diamond Line Refine
• Stop smoking

But while these traditional solutions can help offset the effects of aging, it cannot restore volume loss. At that point, it would be good to consider talking to a professional and perform in-office treatments.

• Skin tightening treatments like ThermiSmooth help the skin to produce new collagen and promote elastin production. Collagen biostimulators like Sculptra are another option.
• To see a real difference in facial volume, the American Academy of Dermatology Association actually recommends dermal fillers such as cheek or jawline filler.
• A face/neck lift can also help address skin laxity and sagginess. 
• Stopping the usage of Ozempic is another option, but your appetite will return and you will regain the weight you’ve originally lost. Some doctors believe you may feel even hungrier than before and cause binge-eating.

Final Thoughts

The risks associated with Ozempic are far too high. Even though the effects of Ozempic can be considered a shortcut to losing weight fast, you may end up spending more time and money trying to revert back to your original face. Afterall, prevention is better than a cure. To learn more about Ozempic Face, listen to my podcasthere!