Topline
Some users of the diabetes drug Ozempic who use the drug off-label for weight loss have reported “Ozempic face” as a side effect to their rapid weight loss, causing the facial skin to sag and making them appear older.
Woman looking in a mirror.
Key Facts
“Ozempic face” is a term used to describe the sagging, gaunt look of the facial skin due to the loss of facial fat following drastic weight loss.
The phrase was seemingly coined by a New York dermatologist who has encountered several patients who’ve had noticeable sagging in their faces following the use of Ozempic and similar weight loss medications, according to the New York Times.
Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, Ozempic (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injectable drug, which manages insulin levels—it’s approved for use in type two diabetics by the Food and Drug Administration.
Some doctors have prescribed Ozempic as an off-label weight loss drug for people with type two diabetes, according to Women’s Health.
Studies have shown Ozempic is an effective weight loss drug, with one study finding participants who took the drug saw a 14.9% decrease in body weight.
Big Number
2.3 million. That’s how many times posts using #ozempicface have been viewed on TikTok, with hundreds of users either sharing their “Ozempic face” stories, or healthcare professionals providing insight into the phenomenon.
What Causes Ozempic Face
Fat loss from the face is “very common with any weight loss,” Silvana Obici, chief of endocrinology and metabolism division at Stony Brook Medicine told Healthline. Massive weight loss can cause people to look older as a result of wrinkled, loose skin. According to a 2019 study, excess skin is linked to “massive weight loss.” However, fat loss while taking weight loss drugs like Ozempic happens across the body, not just in one area like the face. A study found it’s not possible to only reduce fat in specific areas of the body.
How To Combat It
The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends dermal fillers (also known as soft tissue filler) to fix the loss of fat and fullness in the face. There are five FDA approved forms of filler, and the sixth form is the use of self-donated body fat, which doesn’t require approval, according to the AADA. When injected into the face, the dermal fillers work to display a fuller, smoother appearance. The filler can be injected in areas such as the chin, cheeks and under eye area, according to the FDA. Possible risks from dermal filler include tenderness, pain, swelling, infection, necrosis (tissue death), a sore and allergic reaction. Rare risks include leakage of the filler, injury to the blood supply, migration and a severe allergic reaction. It’s recommended patients get tested for allergies prior to receiving fillers made from some material like animal-based material.
Other Side Effects
Constipation, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain are among the most common side effects from Ozempic. More serious side effects include thyroid cancer and tumors. To diagnose this, Ozempic’s manufacturer Novo Nordisk recommends a patient should reach out to their primary care physician if they’re experiencing a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness, shortness of breath or trouble swallowing.
Further Reading
What To Know About Ozempic: The Diabetes Drug Becomes A Viral Weight Loss Hit (Elon Musk Boasts Using It) Creating A Shortage (Forbes)
Those Weight Loss Drugs May Do a Number on Your Face (New York Times)
What to know about ‘Ozempic face’ as some users claim popular diabetes drugs used for weight loss leave them looking gaunt (Good Morning America)
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