Ozempic face: Is it a real fix or hype?

Know what your skin is going through while you are on weight-loss drugs and the role of GLP-1 skincare.

In Short

• Weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy affect skin health
• Rapid fat loss causes sagging and premature ageing of the face
• Ozempic face includes sunken cheeks and dull, dry skin

The discussion around weight-loss drugs such as Mounjaro and Wegovy is not limited to reducing weight; GLP-1 medications are now drawing attention to skin health too.

GLP-1 medications, indicated for type 2 diabetes and obesity decrease stomach emptying and reduce appetite while prolonging the feeling of fullness. This in turn leads to sudden muscle and fat loss and has unfavourable impacts on the face, such as sunken cheeks or signs of early ageing.

These side effects of weight loss drugs are being termed as ‘Ozempic face’, where skin on the face loses laxity, looks saggy and sometimes leads to a wrinkled appearance with sagging jowls around the jaw and neck. With an aim to improve skin health, beauty companies are developing novel techniques and a new skincare category known as ‘GLP-1 skincare’ is gaining popularity.

While you see small numbers on your scale, your skin tells a different story altogether.

Let’s understand what your skin is going through while you are on weight-loss drugs, how you can stay ahead of these changes with awareness, and how much does ‘GLP-1 skincare’ help? Moreover, is this really a new category or just smart repositioning of skincare?

WHAT IS OZEMPIC FACE, HOW GLP-1 IMPACTS SKIN?

A sudden weight loss can cause skin to look loose and prematurely aged, and a term coined for this condition is popularly known as the ‘Ozempic face’. GLP-1 users are often seen with sluggish skin and a sunken jawline; people also notice dryness and shifts in skin texture.

It happens when someone loses weight quickly on GLP-1 medication; the skin may look a little loose. “This happens due to rapid fat loss in the face. When fat is lost too fast, there isn’t enough time for the skin to tighten back," explained Dr Chandani Jain Gupta, dermatologist, Elantis Healthcare, New Delhi.

When you lose weight, you also shed fat from your face, which is often noticeable under your eyes and on your cheeks. Experts say that it happens when you lose a lot of weight all of a sudden.

Moreover, since weight-loss medicines reduce appetite, people also tend to cut down on fluid intake. Lack of adequate hydration can also make skin look dull and dry.

According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 60 per cent of facial plastic surgeons report seeing an increase in patients presenting with ‘Ozempic Face’. People often struggle to understand how to go about treating the condition.

DO GLP-1 SKINCARE CREAMS HELP?

Extreme and abrupt weight loss is another factor that contributes to skin sagging. This brings noticeable changes as the body suddenly loses volume.

“Sudden quick fat loss impacts the overall body and skin in particular, so focus on reducing weight slowly and gradually. One should not aim at losing weight suddenly, a major reason for skin sagging," said Dr Nidhi Rohatgi, Consultant Dermatology, Max Hospital, Panchsheel Park.

Topical creams provide hydration, but they may not help mitigate the long-term effects of fat loss on your skin. GLP-1 skincare creams can improve skin quality, help in inducing hydration and overall work on signs of ageing but cannot tighten the skin.

“Topical creams cannot replace fat loss or miraculously tighten the skin. Therefore, invasive interventions are needed in such cases, these include fat grafting or Botox," said Dr Rohatgi.

GLP-1 creams are promising, but it’s important to know that they cannot replace the fat that you might have lost in the process.

The best one can do is ensure that you eat the right amount of protein, stay hydrated, and keep a close watch on nutrient deficiencies. One should include foods that are rich in vitamin C, zinc, and healthy fats. These nutrients support skin health and help the skin stay resilient during weight loss.

“To protect skin during weight-loss, we ensure that protein intake is good along with supplementation for the required nutrients such as Omega-3 and good moisturisation to support skin health,” said New Delhi-based dermatologist and author, Dr. Kiran Sethi.

“The idea is to improve elasticity. While GLP-1 skincare helps, it’s not a solution,” she added.

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