Post-weight loss facial changes—often described as “Ozempic face” or “runner’s face”—typically involve sagging skin, loss of volume, and a more aged or tired appearance.
This is particularly noticeable after rapid, significant weight loss which Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Ozempic are effective at.
. Common effects include sunken cheeks, jowls, deep nasolabial folds, and loose skin on the neck.
Key Facial Changes After Weight Loss
- Hollowed Cheeks & Temples: Fat pads in the face reduce, leading to a sunken, gaunt appearance.
- Skin Sagging & Laxity: Loss of subcutaneous fat and reduced elasticity result in drooping skin, particularly around the jawline (jowls) and neck.
- Increased Wrinkles: The loss of structural fat makes fine lines and wrinkles, especially nasolabial folds (lines from nose to mouth), more visible.
- Under-Eye Hollows: The area under the eyes may appear sunken, contributing to a tired look.
Causes and Contributing Factors
- Rapid Weight Loss: Losing weight quickly, whether through diet, exercise, or medication like GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic), does not allow the skin enough time to adjust to the new, smaller facial structure.
- Loss of Collagen/Elastin: Age and genetics determine how well the skin retains elasticity; significant weight loss often reduces the collagen and elastin needed to keep skin firm.
- “Ozempic Face”: A colloquial term referring to the accelerated facial fat loss seen with rapid weight reduction, which can leave the skin looking, thinner, or more aged.
Treatments and Management for Facial ageing
- Dermal Fillers: Used to restore volume in hollowed areas like cheeks, temples, and under-eyes.
- Skin Tightening Treatments: Procedures such as microneedling, radiofrequency (e.g., Sofwave), or ultrasound can help stimulate collagen and tighten loose skin.
- Skincare and Nutrition: Maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and using products that boost collagen can improve skin elasticity, though they may not fully reverse significant sagging.
- Surgical Options: In cases of severe laxity, surgical lifting might be considered.
For many, these changes can be addressed over time or through aesthetic interventions to restore a more youthful appearance.
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Read more: How weight loss affects the face