The rise of Ozempic face: Sagging and ageing skin are the unwanted side effects of the controversial diabetes drug

Doctors are now warning those who have turned to diabetes medications to lose weight that the drugs may result in unwanted side effects such as facial ageing aka “Ozempic face.”

Unless you’ve zoned out of all news for the past few months, you’ll have heard of Ozempic. Yep, the injectable diabetes drug that – somewhat controversially – is now being dubbed as a quick-fix weight loss aid.

The term was coined by Dr Paul Jarrod Frank, a dermatologist in New York who spoke to The New York Times claiming he’s begun seeing it in his office “every day.”

“A 50-year-old patient will come in, and suddenly, she’s super-skinny and needs filler, which she never needed before. I look at her and say: ‘How long have you been on Ozempic?’ And I’m right 100 per cent of the time,” he said, adding: “It’s the drug of choice these days for the one per cent.”

So, what exactly is Ozempic face? And how can it be treated? Aesthetic surgeon, Dr Glyn Estebanez, gives GLAMOUR the lowdown.

What is Ozempic face?

“As more people opt for treatment with Ozempic, we are now starting to see what many are terming ‘Ozempic face’. It’s a term for common side effects of the type 2 diabetes medication semaglutide, or Ozempic. Unfortunately, due to the extreme weight loss seen at a rapid pace, it can cause sagging and ageing of facial skin. The significant loss of volume in the face can make facial features appear more pronounced and can create a gaunt-like appearance. ”

How is Ozempic face caused?

“After extreme weight loss of any kind, the skin on the face can notice reduced levels of elastic and collagen. An essential component for the structural integrity of the face, without it we’re noticing increased signs of ageing such as sagging skin and wrinkling. In our younger years, the fat in the face is evenly distributed but as we age, and after Ozempic, we’re seeing that fat loses volume, clumps up, and shifts downward, so features that were formerly round may sink, and skin that was smooth and tight gets loose and sags.”

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What are the best treatments for Ozempic face?

‘In suitable patients we can remedy this with carefully injected fillers. These can plump the skin and support the tear trough to give the smoother, even toned under-eye appearance. It’s important to note that we’re not simply focusing on revolumising the areas of the face that have seen volume loss. We also have a plethora of effective products and clinical treatments that can stimulate new collagen synthesis – so we can see additional tightening as well.  My 4D Lift uses fillers to target areas of significant volume loss but also utilises collagen stimulating treatments such as Radiofrequency micro needling and biostimulator injections. Morpheus8, an advanced radiofrequency micro-needling treatment from InMode complements volume replacement by improving the quality and thickness of the skin and encouraging new collagen production. We then also include bio-stimulators such as Nucleofill, an exciting, new bio-stimulator for skin rejuvenation and protection. It is designed to help cells retain water, improve skin elasticity and tightness, and aid in the prevention of lines. The expert combination of fillers and other cutting-edge treatments mean that we can rejuvenate the face, which may have been left more tired-looking due to Ozempic, without giving that unnatural overfilled look.”