Everything to Know About Ozempic Face and How to Manage It
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic® (semaglutide) and Mounjaro™ (tirzepatide) are changing the landscape of weight loss. These breakthrough treatments have helped millions of people shed significant weight and take control of their health in ways that once seemed out of reach.
In fact, as of May 2024, an estimated 12% of U.S. adults—around 31 million people—have used a GLP-1 medication. Approximately 6% (15.5 million) report currently taking one, according to the KFF Health Tracking Poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF, May 2024).
But with rapid weight loss often comes unexpected changes to the face. Enter: Ozempic Face—a term that’s quickly gained traction to describe the facial volume loss and skin laxity that can follow significant, fast-paced weight loss.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly what Ozempic Face is (yes, it can happen with Mounjaro too), the science behind why it occurs, and the safest, most effective ways to treat and prevent it—so you can look as confident as you feel
What is Ozempic Face?
“Ozempic Face” refers to the loss of facial volume and skin laxity that can happen after significant weight loss, especially with medications that promote rapid results such as Ozempic (Semaglutide) or Mounjaro (Tirzepatide).
It’s important to note: the medication isn’t damaging your face—fat loss is. As fat diminishes beneath the skin, the face may appear hollow, sagging, or aged. This can be particularly frustrating for patients who feel amazing after losing weight but feel like their appearance doesn’t reflect that internal confidence.
What Causes Ozempic (or Mounjaro) Face?
Ozempic and Mounjaro are both GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work by reducing appetite and helping regulate blood sugar. This can result in rapid and effective weight loss. But as your body sheds fat, it doesn’t discriminate—you’ll lose it from your face, too.
As we age, our facial fat pads naturally shrink and descend. Combine this with medication-driven weight loss, and the result can be a dramatic reduction in volume in areas like:
- Cheeks
- Temples
- Under the eyes
- Jawline and chin
This loss of support causes the skin to sag or appear deflated—contributing to that “Ozempic Face” or “Mounjaro Face” look.
How Nutrition Plays a Role in Facial Changes
Another often overlooked factor is protein intake. Collagen and elastin—key components that keep our skin firm and elastic—are made from amino acids found in protein. If you’re not consuming enough protein while on your weight loss journey, your body may begin to break down muscle for energy. This not only contributes to muscle loss but also limits your body’s ability to produce the collagen and elastin needed to maintain skin structure.
Dr. Paul E. Cox explains, “If you’re losing weight too quickly, chances are you’re also losing muscle. And if you’re not prioritizing protein intake, your body isn’t just burning fat—it’s breaking down muscle tissue and falling short on the raw materials needed to make collagen and elastin.”
When weight loss occurs slowly and is supported by a protein-rich diet, your skin has time to adapt, making it less likely you’ll experience dramatic sagging or hollowing in the face.
What Does Ozempic Face Look Like? Before and After
Every patient is unique, but there are some common signs of facial volume loss associated with rapid weight loss:
- Hollow or sunken cheeks
- More pronounced under-eye bags or shadows
- Thinner, sagging skin along the jawline
- Deepened smile lines and marionette lines
- Overall tired, gaunt, or aged appearance
How to Treat Ozempic or Mounjaro Face
Whether your facial changes are from Ozempic, Mounjaro, or any other GLP-1 medication, the good news is that they can be treated—and often reversed—with advanced aesthetic solutions designed to restore facial volume, rebuild structure, and rejuvenate the skin at a cellular level.
At WIFH, we create customized treatment plans based on your skin condition, age, and goals. Our plans often include one or a combination of the following:
- Sculptra®, to stimulate collagen and gradually rebuild volume
- Dermal fillers, to restore facial contours instantly and naturally
- RF Microneedling with PRP or PureGF, to firm and smooth the skin
- Regenerative injectables like Traditional PRP or PureGF for long-term rejuvenation
Sculptra
Unlike traditional dermal fillers that offer instant volume, Sculptra® works differently—and powerfully. It’s not a filler at all, but a biostimulatory injectable made from poly-L-lactic acid, a substance that stimulates your body’s own natural collagen production over time.
Think of Sculptra like a 401(k) for your skin: instead of delivering immediate, temporary results, it helps you build a reserve of collagen slowly and steadily, leading to firmer, smoother, more youthful-looking skin that lasts. Just like compound interest, the benefits continue to grow and improve over time—with results that can last up to two years or more.
Benefits of Sculptra for Ozempic or Mounjaro Face:
- Gradually restores lost facial volume
- Rebuilds collagen structure for natural lift and support
- Improves skin texture and firmness
- Ideal for hollow cheeks, temples, and jawline definition
- Long-lasting, subtle enhancement that never looks overdone
For patients who’ve experienced facial volume loss due to rapid weight loss with GLP-1 medications, Sculptra offers a subtle, regenerative approach to rejuvenation—helping your skin age gracefully from the inside out.
Dermal Filler
*Before and after results of 3 Syringes of Dermal Filler and PureGF combined
While long-term collagen stimulation is essential for lasting rejuvenation, sometimes you want to see results right away—that’s where hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers like Restylane® and Juvéderm® shine. These advanced fillers are designed to restore volume instantly, with results that look natural and refined.
Dermal fillers work by replacing the facial volume that’s often lost with rapid weight reduction, especially in the cheeks, temples, under-eyes, and jawline. At WIFH, we take a strategic and artistic approach to filler placement—balancing facial proportions and enhancing your natural structure without ever appearing overdone.
Benefits of Dermal Fillers for Ozempic/Mounjaro Face:
- Immediate lift and volume in targeted areas
- Can treat under-eye hollows, smile lines, temples, and cheeks
- Natural-looking when injected by expert providers
- Personalized to match your unique facial anatomy
- Minimally invasive with no downtime
When performed by an experienced injector, dermal fillers do more than just “fill”—they restore confidence, harmony, and youthful vitality, especially for patients navigating the facial effects of medication-driven weight loss.
Regenerative Treatments for Under-Eye Hollowing
One of the most noticeable changes from rapid weight loss with GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Mounjaro is volume loss and thinning under the eyes. This can lead to dark circles, hollowing, and an overall tired or sunken appearance—often referred to as “Ozempic Eyes.” At WIFH, we offer regenerative aesthetic treatments specifically designed to restore and rejuvenate the under-eye area safely and effectively.
Traditional PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) for Under-Eyes
- A small amount of your blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to extract PRP, rich in healing growth factors
- PRP is injected into the delicate under-eye area to stimulate collagen and elastin production
- Improves skin firmness, texture, and discoloration naturally
- Ideal for patients looking for a natural, non-surgical approach to restoring volume under the eyes
This treatment is especially beneficial for patients noticing early signs of hollowing or crepey skin due to weight loss, stress, or aging.
PureGF (Pure Growth Factor) for Under-Eyes
PureGF is one of the most advanced regenerative treatments available—designed to activate your skin’s natural repair process by stimulating collagen production, enhancing elasticity, and restoring structural integrity beneath the surface. This powerful solution helps revitalize and strengthen the under-eye area, improving both tone and texture while addressing volume loss and visible signs of aging.
- No blood draw required and shorter appointment time
- Contains over 450 active growth factors—versus just 7–25 typically found in traditional PRP
- Injected directly under the eyes to stimulate collagen and improve skin quality
- Delivers consistent results across all ages, health profiles, and lifestyles
- Stimulates natural collagen production, improves circulation, and supports tissue repair
Because PureGF isn’t reliant on your body’s own healing response, it’s an ideal option for patients whose age, health conditions, or lifestyle factors may limit the effectiveness of traditional PRP.
Traditional & RF Microneedling
If you’re experiencing skin laxity, crepey texture, or loss of elasticity after weight loss with Ozempic or Mounjaro, microneedling can be an excellent non-surgical way to stimulate collagen and improve the quality of your skin. At WIFH, we offer both traditional microneedling and radiofrequency (RF) microneedling—but they work in slightly different ways and deliver different levels of results.
Here’s a closer look at each:
Traditional Microneedling
Also known as collagen induction therapy, traditional microneedling uses a pen-like device with ultra-fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries on the surface of the skin. These microchannels trigger the body’s natural healing response, leading to the production of new collagen and elastin.
What it’s best for:
- Fine lines and light textural concerns
- Mild skin laxity
- Enlarged pores or dull skin tone
- Enhancing absorption of PRP or topical exosomes
Ideal for: Younger patients or those with early signs of aging or minimal skin laxity.
When paired with Traditional PRP or PureGF (Pure Growth Factor), this treatment can be especially helpful for improving under-eye crepiness and overall skin texture.
RF Microneedling (Radiofrequency Microneedling)
RF microneedling is a more advanced version that combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy. The tiny needles deliver heat deep into the dermis, which enhances collagen remodeling and provides skin tightening effects in addition to surface-level improvements.
What it’s best for:
- Moderate skin laxity or sagging
- Wrinkles and deeper textural issues
- Thinning or crepey skin from rapid weight loss
- Jawline and under-eye tightening
- Stretching collagen for lifting and firming
Ideal for: Patients experiencing more pronounced skin changes after Ozempic or Mounjaro, including post-weight-loss skin that has become loose or aged.
RF microneedling is especially powerful when paired with PRP or PureGF (Pure Growth Factor), as the microchannels allow growth factors to penetrate deeply—speeding up healing and enhancing results.
Can You Prevent Ozempic or Mounjaro Face?
While you can’t always fully prevent facial changes from weight loss, there are steps you can take to reduce the severity and maintain a youthful look as your body transforms:
- Lose weight gradually: Work closely with your provider to avoid overly rapid weight loss.
- Hydration and skin care: Keep your skin barrier healthy with medical-grade skincare, collagen supplements, and regular hydration.
- Microneedling or laser treatments: These stimulate collagen to maintain skin elasticity.
- Preventative injectables: Early Sculptra or light filler treatments can provide structural support during weight loss.
- Prioritize Protein Intake: Getting enough high-quality protein supports your body’s natural collagen production and helps maintain skin elasticity—especially important during weight loss.
Our team at WIFH will help you build a proactive skin care and injectable plan to support your facial integrity during and after weight loss.
Why WIFH Is Your Top Choice for Ozempic Face Treatment
At WIFH in Atlanta, we understand that rapid weight loss can leave your face feeling out of sync with how confident you feel inside. Our expert injectors specialize in restoring facial balance and structure—not changing your features, but rejuvenating what’s already there.
With thousands of treatments performed and decades of combined experience, we take a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to every plan—using the latest in regenerative and aesthetic medicine to help you look as vibrant as you feel.
Whether you’re just starting your GLP-1 journey or already noticing changes in your facial structure, we’re here to help you feel like yourself again.
Schedule a complimentary consultation today to explore your options with our expert team.
