By Dr. Erin Smith
As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Austin, TX, I've seen a large increase in patients wanting to talk about the "Ozempic Face." While GLP-1 medications like Ozempic (semiglutide), Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound offer significant healthy weight-loss benefits, the rapid reduction in facial fat can result in a gaunt, droopy, and hollowed appearance.
You’ve probably seen the topic of “Ozempic face” in the media in publications such as Vogue and Allure and as a board-certified plastic surgeon, I’m here to address what I’m seeing in my practice.
Here at The Buckingham Center, we understand your desire to maintain a youthful, balanced look after achieving your weight loss goals. This blog explores both surgical and non-surgical options to address the aesthetic concerns associated with Ozempic Face.
Understanding Facial Hollowing
Ozempic works by regulating appetite and blood sugar levels, leading to fat loss. Unfortunately, this loss often includes the delicate fat pads beneath the skin of the face and neck, contributing to:
- Loss of facial volume: Cheeks, temples, and under-eye areas can appear sunken.
- Deepening wrinkles and lines: The loss of underlying support accentuates existing wrinkles and creates new ones.
- Sagging skin: Without the plumping effect of fat, skin elasticity can diminish, leading to a looser appearance and sagging neck and face.
“When I see patients who have lost a large volume of weight and are concerned about their aged facial appearance, their primary concern is how they can reverse these changes while still looking natural. In some cases, these can be younger patients even in their 30s or 40s who look much older than their peers. Regardless of age, no one wants to look like they have had plastic surgery. In my practice, a natural look is very important. For each patient, I systematically assess their anatomy from the forehead down to the neck, including their skin, and come up with a customized rejuvenation plan. This may include surgery, nonsurgical treatments, or some combination of the two. For the “ozempic face”, this may involve repositioning and tightening the soft tissues in the face and neck with a facelift or necklift and sometimes adding volume back to the hollowed areas with a fat transfer or facial fillers.”
Restoring Balance: Your Options
Fortunately, facial rejuvenation techniques can counteract the effects of Ozempic Face. Let's explore some available options:
1. Surgical Solutions
- Facelift: For more significant facial hollowing and sagging skin, a facelift can be a transformative option. This surgery repositions the deeper tissues and smooths the sagging skin, creating a more youthful and defined facial contour, jawline, and neckline.
- Full Lower Facelift: This comprehensive procedure addresses the entire lower one half of the face and neck, providing a dramatic improvement in laxity and wrinkles. This procedure is more suited for patients with excessive neck skin, anterior neck “banding”, residual neck fat, and loss of the angle of the neck. This is more often recommended in those with the “ozempic face” due to the increased neck laxity in these individuals.
- Limited-Incision Lower Facelift: This targeted approach focuses on the lower face and jawline, ideal for addressing concerns like jowls and sagging cheeks. The lift that can be achieved in the cheeks and jawline is equivalent to the full lower facelift, but this approach is more suited for younger patients with less advanced aging changes of the neck.
- Fat Transfer: While it may seem counterintuitive to add fat to the face after weight loss, it is very youthful to have adequate fat volume in the face. Facial fat helps plump the skin and camouflage bony hollows. Loss of fat from “ozempic face” deepens wrinkles and exposes these bony hollows. With a fat transfer, fat is moved from one part of the body to the face and inserted in an incisionless fashion with microcannulas. This is a very effective way to plump the midface with minimal downtime.
2. Non-Surgical Solutions
- Dermal Fillers: Injectable fillers like Juvéderm, Restylane, and Sculptra can be strategically placed to restore lost volume in cheeks, temples, and under-eye areas. This offers a minimally invasive approach that can be performed in the clinic with noticeable results.
- Biostimulators: Options like Sculptra Aesthetic or Radiesse stimulate the body's natural collagen production, providing a gradual yet long-lasting improvement in facial volume and skin texture.
Explore Our Non-Surgical Options
Choosing the Right Option
The best approach depends on the severity of your facial hollowing and your desired results. During a personalized consultation at The Buckingham Center, I can assess your concerns, discuss your weight loss journey, and recommend the most suitable treatment plan. Whether it's strategic filler placement, biostimulators, or a facelift, we'll craft a solution that restores facial volume and definition.
Embrace Your New You with Confidence
If you're experiencing facial hollowing from rapid weight loss and seeking a solution, don't hesitate to schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Smith, at The Buckingham Center. We're dedicated to helping you achieve a look that reflects your inner health and newfound confidence.
Remember: By combining cutting-edge technology and personalized care, The Buckingham Center can help you reclaim your youthful appearance and enjoy the lasting effects of your weight-loss journey.
Additional Resources:
- Allure: Ozempic's Effects on Skin
- Vogue: What is "Ozempic Face"?
- Buckingham Center: Facelift Procedures
