What Is Ozempic Neck? Causes, Signs And Can You Prevent It?

"Ozempic neck" is a popular term used to describe visible neck sagging, wrinkles or lax skin that some people report after rapid weight loss from Ozempic.

12 Dec 2025, 11:51 · www.ndtv.com

Ozempic is now available in India. It is a brand name for semaglutide, a prescription injectable medicine originally approved to help manage type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a drug class called GLP-1 receptor agonists: these drugs mimic a gut hormone that helps lower blood sugar, slows gastric emptying (which reduces hunger), and commonly causes weight loss as a side effect. Ozempic is prescribed and dosed by a physician and has a well-documented safety and prescribing label. While people weigh in the pros and cons, a recurring trending question is: what is "Ozempic neck"? Below we uncover what Ozempic neck means, its signs, causes and other frequently asked questions regarding Ozempic neck.

What is “Ozempic neck”?

“Ozempic neck” is a popular term (not a formal medical diagnosis/name) used to describe visible neck sagging, wrinkles or lax skin that some people report after rapid weight loss while using semaglutide or other strong GLP-1 drugs. The phenomenon is related to how the body loses under-skin fat: when facial or neck fat is lost quickly, the skin (especially in older adults where collagen and elastin are already reduced) can fail to retract, producing a hollowed or sagging appearance. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons began reporting higher demand for skin-tightening or filler procedures in patients who lost weight rapidly with these drugs.

What are the signs to watch for?

Commonly described signs of “Ozempic neck” include:

Increased looseness or folds in the neck skin (a banded or saggy look)
More visible vertical lines or “turkey neck” appearance
Loss of jawline definition or a hollowed lower face
A disproportion between facial/neck skin and the remainder of body shape after rapid weight loss

These changes are primarily cosmetic, but they can be distressing. In rare cases, sudden weight loss can unmask other health issues, so any rapid, unexplained changes should be reviewed with a clinician.

Is there any way to avoid “Ozempic neck”?

There's no guaranteed way to prevent skin laxity after rapid weight loss, but several practical strategies can lower the risk or reduce its severity:

1. Gradual weight loss where possible

Slower reductions in fat give skin more time to adapt; rapid losses are likelier to leave loose skin. Clinicians usually aim for a steady, supervised weight-loss plan where appropriate.

2. Medical supervision and dose planning

A prescribing doctor can tailor dose escalation and monitor body-composition changes (fat vs lean mass) to minimise abrupt shifts. Regular follow-up helps pick up complications early.

3. Strength and resistance training

Building muscle in the neck, jaw and upper body can improve the underlying support and the way skin sits over tissues. Exercise also helps preserve lean mass during weight loss.

4. Skin health interventions

Good sun protection, quitting smoking, collagen-promoting nutrition and dermatologic treatments may improve appearance. Many of these are adjuncts and results vary by age and baseline skin elasticity.

Ozempic (semaglutide) is an effective medicine for blood-sugar control and when used under medical supervision, it is an important tool for weight management. Like any potent medicine, it carries known side effects and rare but serious risks that require physician oversight.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

References

OZEMPIC (semaglutide) Injection — Highlights of Prescribing Information. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2024.

Semaglutide — Clinical overview and safety. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf / NIH), 2024.

Implications of Ozempic and Other Semaglutide-Associated Changes in Facial and Neck Volume. NCBI abstract (peer-review discussion), 2023.

Proteomic analysis reveals semaglutide impacts lipogenic pathways and body-fat distribution (impact on fat mass). NCBI, 2023.

Real-world disproportionality analysis of semaglutide: adverse event signals. NCBI, 2024.

Show full article

Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world