What is Ozempic Face?

Some people taking Ozempic or similar drugs for diabetes and weight loss drugs can experience undesirable side effects, like the stomach issues Virta member Barbara experienced on Ozempic. But one after- effect of Ozempic that is now going viral is so-called Ozempic face (also called Wegovy face or semaglutide face), which refers to the rapid changes that can happen to your face when on a GLP-1. Here’s what you should know about how GLP-1-related weight loss affects the face.

What does Ozempic do to the face?

People who take Ozempic may notice changes to their face, such as:

• Facial hollowness or a gaunt appearance
• More wrinkles and fine lines
• Loose, sagging skin, particularly around the neck and jawline
• Changes in the size of the lips, chin and cheeks
• Sunken-looking eyes

These side effects can occur because rapid weight loss — whether caused by Ozempic or other factors — tends to show more pronounced signs on the face. If you lose weight more gradually, the changes to your facial appearance may be less obvious.

So, why does your face show signs of aging when you shed pounds? When you lose weight, your face may lose fat that previously provided structure, elasticity, cushion, and “bounce” to your face, giving you a more youthful appearance.

Is Ozempic face reversible?

Can you reverse the effects of Ozempic face? If you slow down or stop your weight loss, , your skin may retract somewhat, but your face will still look thinner than before your weight loss. However, you may notice less sagging.

If you stop taking Ozempic and regain the weight you lost, your face will likely return to its previous shape and fullness.

Preventing Ozempic face

If you take Ozempic and lose weight rapidly, you likely can’t prevent facial side effects. The following strategies may help reduce changes to your facial appearance, but talk to your prescriber first:

• Reducing your Ozempic dosage, which may slow down your weight loss 
• Eating a diet rich in healthy fats, protein, and colorful fruits and vegetables that provides nutrients needed for healthy tissue, including the skin. 
• Drinking plenty of water, which will help your skin look fuller and healthier.
• Using a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid.
• If necessary, you can speak to your provider about nonsurgical or surgical dermatological solutions, like fillers, fat transfers, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, or a face or neck lift.

Other side effects of Ozempic

Other side effects of Ozempic, Wegovy and other related drugs so include:

• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Injection-site reactions
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Flatulence
• Vomiting
• Fatigue

Rarely, people taking these drugs can experience serious side effects like:

• Increased risk of thyroid cancer
• Muscle mass lose
• Severe allergic reactions
• Kidney problems
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Vision changes
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Gallbladder disease

If you stop taking Ozempic, the symptoms listed above may subside. However, stopping your medication could lead to weight regain and adverse effects on your blood sugar if you don’t make certain lifestyle changes.

The Takeaway

While drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have helped many people manage their type 2 diabetes and lose weight, there are other ways to achieve similar results without long-term medication, like Virta. By making healthy lifestyle changes in a medical setting with supportive resources like 1:1 virtual coaching, you can regain control of your health and feel like yourself again. See if you’re eligible for Virta Health here.