Ozempic® and Wegovy® have become buzzwords for weight loss in social media. The rapid weight loss these injectables are producing has also fueled another trend coined as “Ozempic face” or “Wegovy face.” These terms refer to the loose, hollowed-out skin or droopy appearance that can occur from quickly losing weight with the drug.
At Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego, CA, we have innovative skin-tightening procedures and other cosmetic treatments to help tighten and rejuvenate loose, sagging skin caused by rapid weight loss.
What is Wegovy/Ozempic Face?
“Ozempic face” or “Wegovy face” refers to the increased wrinkling and hollowing of the face that occurs when people drastically lose weight while taking semaglutide medications like Ozempic or Wegovy. A significant loss of facial volume can make facial features appear more pronounced, creating a gaunt-like and older appearance since facial fat goes away more quickly than body fat.
“Ozempic face” was coined by a New York dermatologist after encountering several patients who had noticeable sagging and hollowing in their faces following the use of Ozempic and similar weight loss medications.
What Are Wegovy and Ozempic?
Ozempic is approved by the FDA to treat Type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy is approved to treat obesity. The active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy is semaglutide, a medication that helps manage insulin levels and induce weight loss.
Ozempic and Wegovy work by increasing the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which the body produces when you eat. It reduces appetite and makes you feel full more quickly, causing you to eat smaller portions. These drugs are taken once a week by injection in the arm, stomach, or thigh.
How Dermatologists Can Treat Wegovy/Ozempic Face
Several treatment options can help improve loose, sagging skin after weight loss, but choosing the right procedures depends on your unique needs and aesthetic goals.
Dermal Fillers
Injectables like dermal fillers are one of the most effective treatments for restoring facial volume after weight loss. We offer a wide range of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, including Juvéderm® and Restylane®, to treat volume loss.
The Juvéderm and Restylane families of HA fillers are designed to add volume and smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. They are available in a range of formulas, each designed to address specific areas of the face and different degrees of volume loss.
For example, Juvéderm® Voluma is specifically designed to restore volume to the cheeks, which can appear sunken after weight loss. This filler is formulated with a thicker consistency to add structure and lift to the cheeks to restore their natural contours. Similarly, Restylane® Lyft is FDA-approved for cheek augmentation and correction of mid-face contours.
Dermal fillers like Juvéderm® Vollure are softer gels that add volume to the nasolabial folds, which become more apparent after weight loss. The filler restores volume and enhances facial contours to restore a healthier, more youthful appearance.
Biostimulators
Biostimulators like Radiesse® and Sculptra® consist of gel microspheres that add volume and stimulate fibroblastic function to increase collagen, elastic fiber, and hyaluronic acid production. Similar to HA fillers, collagen stimulators are used for pinpoint injections to restore volume and definition. However, while HA fillers last up to six months or longer, collagen stimulators can last up to two years.
We use Radiesse and Sculptra to help add volume to the face over time. These injectables offer an effective treatment option for patients who have drastically lost weight, as they can gradually restore and enhance facial contours for more natural and long-lasting results.
Laser & Light Treatments
Cosmetic Laser Dermatology offers the latest technology, including 60+ laser and light devices, to treat concerns such as wrinkles and sagging skin.
RF microneedling involves using a device that combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to penetrate the skin and stimulate fibroblastic function to increase collagen, elastic fiber, and hyaluronic acid production. This treatment can be used to address the loss of skin elasticity and sagging skin associated with Ozempic or Wegovy use.
Lasers like the Lumenis UltraPulse® Encore CO2 laser and the Sciton Erbium:YAG laser offer fractional resurfacing and are excellent at treating deeper wrinkles and severe textural issues from weight loss. By creating microscopic thermal channels in the skin, fractional lasers trigger new collagen and elastin fiber production. The result is tighter skin with reduced wrinkles.
Ultherapy®, Thermage®, and Sofwave™ are another option for treating sagging skin. These use ultrasound or radiofrequency technology to stimulate fibroblastic function to increase collagen, elastic fiber, and hyaluronic acid production to tighten and firm the skin over time. It can lift the eyebrow, chin, and neck area and improve lines and wrinkles in the low neckline.
Thermage is safe for all skin types and tones and can even be combined with Fraxel® laser resurfacing for complete skin rejuvenation using our new ThermaFrax procedure.
Finally, since Wegovy and Ozempic use can also produce muscle atrophy, we use the CoolTone muscle stimulator and Lumenis Trivantage to build up lost muscle.
Get Effective Treatment for Wegovy/Ozempic Face in San Diego
Cosmetic Laser Dermatology is committed to providing the best aesthetic and anti-aging procedures in San Diego. With our seven highly trained and experienced board-certified dermatologists and the most advanced skin treatments and research, patients can achieve the best possible outcome.
If you are ready to treat Ozempic or Wegovy face or other loose skin issues, Cosmetic Laser Dermatology is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
