What Is Ozempic Face?

GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and others, are effective in managing diabetes and promoting weight loss. However, like all medications, they can cause side effects. One of them is what’s commonly called “Ozempic face.”

This article explains what Ozempic face is and why it occurs.

Rapid Weight Loss and Changes in Facial Features

The term Ozempic face is misleading since changes in facial features can occur with any drug that helps people lose weight — especially those that enable rapid weight loss. The look simply became associated with (and named after) Ozempic since it was one of the first medications widely used for weight loss.

In reality, anything from medication to a particular lifestyle modification that causes you to shed pounds quickly can produce noticeable appearance changes in your face and elsewhere. (You may also have heard the term “Ozempic butt.”) The changes occur because you lose fat under the skin that supports facial features.

Ozempic face appears as:

• Sunken eyes
• An increase in hollowed areas on the face
• Changes in lip, chin and cheek size
• Increased wrinkles
• Sagging jowls (skin that hangs below the jawline)

Ozempic face may be more pronounced in older people since our skin loses elasticity as we age. Consequently, when we lose fat under the skin, it may be less able to respond and maintain its shape.

How To Address Ozempic Face

Ozempic face doesn’t indicate a problem with your diabetes or weight loss treatment. However, if you’re uncomfortable with the changes to your facial features, you can take steps to minimize them, including:

• Drinking at least 1 to 2 liters of water daily
• Getting more protein in your diet
• Trying a lower dosage of your medication
• Switching to a different medication
• Using dermatological fillers (injections that plump up a particular area)
• Stopping the medication and using lifestyle modifications to achieve and maintain a healthy weight

However you choose to proceed with addressing Ozempic face, it’s a good idea to take some time to get used to your new appearance first. You may find that the changes in your facial features aren’t as significant as you initially thought.

If you decide to stop your medication, be aware that it can take around five weeks for your system to be clear of it.

Beyond Ozempic Face: Other Side Effects

The appearance of Ozempic face, Ozempic butt and other physical changes can be surprising and concerning. However, they generally aren’t harmful.

Other side effects of drugs for diabetes and weight management can be uncomfortable and include:

• Injection-site reactions
• Fatigue
• Nausea or stomach ache
• Flatulence (passing intestinal gas)
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

In rare cases, these medications can cause more severe conditions, including:

• Vision changes
• Allergic reactions
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Gallbladder disease
• Kidney problems
• Increased thyroid cancer risk
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Talk With Baptist Health About GLP-1 Drugs

If you’ve been prescribed a GLP-1 drug for diabetes or weight loss and have questions or concerns about the side effects, talk with your Baptist Health provider. They can help you understand your options for reducing them while still getting the results you need from the medication.

If you don’t have a Baptist Health provider, you can find one using our online provider directory.