The medication Ozempic has taken the world by storm – largely due to rumored use by celebrities and the wealthy thanks to its weight loss effects.
But some physicians want to shift this narrative.
Ozempic was originally developed for the treatment of Type-2 diabetes, but it has also been shown to cause weight loss – which led to the approval of Wegovy. It’s the same medication as Ozempic, but is dosed and administered solely for the purpose of weight loss.
These medications have the potential to improve the health and lives of many people. While they can have some side effects, they do not induce “Ozempic face” – a term that’s been increasing in popularity but experts say is unfounded.
What is ‘Ozempic face’?
Ozempic face is not a medical term and is generally not a problem for people who have taken the medication appropriately. It is a term that has been used by some people to describe the appearance of sagging skin after weight loss.
Does Ozempic change your face?
No.
Ozempic itself does not cause excessive weight loss in the face. But, if someone loses a lot of weight in a short amount of time, most often when they weren’t overweight or obese to begin with, they may have a gaunt appearance.
Dr. Judy Korner is an endocrinologist and Professor of Medicine at Columbia University. She says the derogatory remarks about what one’s face looks like after weight loss is part of a pattern of abuse against obese patients.
“What’s been going on (with Ozempic) is the focus on people who are using it inappropriately. And it’s making a mockery out of obesity, which is a disease,” she says. “We now are finally having medications that can effectively target this disease, and the focus is completely on the wrong thing instead of focusing on the people who are taking the medication correctly and whose health has been improved because of that.”
Understanding weight loss and saggy skin
If weight loss results in excess skin, there are cosmetic things that can be done.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association lists some of the ways to tighten loose skin:
- Skin-firming creams and lotions. You may have some subtle benefits, but it’s generally not recommended as there are better options.
- Non-invasive skin tightening procedures. These include ultrasound, radiofrequency and laser treatments. These are more effective than creams, and there aren’t any incisions or punctures.
- Minimally invasive procedures. These include invasive radiofrequency and laser resurfacing. There is slightly more downtime with these procedures, but they are the most effective non-surgical options.
- Surgery. These include facelifts, eye lifts and “tummy tucks.” These procedures are the most effective but they also carry the most risk and cost.
The bottom line – “Ozempic face” is not a medical term, and it is not a side effect of taking the medication. If you are considering taking Ozempic or Wegovy, you should talk to your doctor to make sure it’s the right option for you and your health.
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