What Is Ozempic Face? 2 Expert Doctors Explain Semaglutide Facial Changes

About the experts explaining the term “Ozempic face”:

• Nicholas Sinclair, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon in the Department of Plastic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic. He earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed his plastic surgery residency at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Sinclair further specialized with a fellowship in Advanced Aesthetic Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. A member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, he also serves as the social media ambassador for the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
• Vinni Makin, MD, has been a board-certified endocrinologist at Cleveland Clinic since 2010. She completed her endocrinology fellowship at Cleveland Clinic and her internal medicine residency at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago.

Highlights

• Semaglutide medications like Ozempic may cause facial changes.
• You can take steps to help minimize or prevent these effects.
• Effective treatments are available for managing “Ozempic face.”
• Since weight often returns after stopping the medication, maintaining healthy habits is essential.

In 2023, more than five million Americans were prescribed semaglutide, a class of medications that includes well-known brands like Ozempic. Originally developed to help manage type 2 diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels, Ozempic quickly gained popularity for an unexpected side effect: weight loss. In 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved semaglutide as a weight-loss medication under the brand name Wegovy.

As prescriptions for these medications have soared, so too have discussions about their potential side effects—most notably the buzz around what’s being called “Ozempic face.” This term describes the sagging or hollowed facial appearance some people may notice after significant weight loss. While the phrase has gone viral on social media, medical experts warn that it’s both misleading and unfair. According to healthcare professionals, these facial changes aren’t unique to Ozempic; they can happen with any form of rapid weight loss, regardless of the method. It’s also important to remember that the term may reinforce harmful weight biases, unfairly targeting individuals who use these medications as part of their health journey.

To provide sensitive and informed clarity, Cleveland Clinic physicians Nicholas Sinclair, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon, and Vinni Makin, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist (specializing in metabolism and hormones), share their expert doctor insights on semaglutide—from what causes these facial changes to how the medication works, common side effects to watch for, and when it’s time to consult your doctor.

(Please note that the Cleveland Clinic physicians mentioned do not endorse any specific semaglutide brand.)

What is Ozempic face?

“‘Ozempic face’ refers to changes in someone’s face when they quickly lose large amounts of weight,” explains Dr. Sinclair. While the name suggests a direct link to the popular diabetes and weight-loss medication Ozempic, the phenomenon isn’t exclusive to those using the drug. In fact, any form of rapid weight loss can trigger similar facial changes.

According to Dr. Sinclair, people may notice:

• Hollow areas under the eyes
• Loss of cheek volume
• Hollowing in the temples
• Sagging, excess skin
• Deepening of wrinkles

“These are many of the normal changes that occur in the face as we get older,” he points out. However, when weight loss happens quickly, these signs can appear more prominently and at a younger age.

What causes Ozempic face?

According to medical experts, it’s not the medication itself that’s responsible. “Ozempic and other weight loss medications do not directly cause the changes. Rather, they occur due to loss of fat in the face,” explains Dr. Sinclair.

He says to think of it this way: A youthful face is naturally padded with fat, giving it that smooth, plump look—like a baby’s soft, round cheeks. As we age, it’s normal to lose some of this fat, which can lead to sagging skin and more pronounced wrinkles. However, when weight loss happens quickly—as it often does with semaglutide medications—the fat loss in the face can become more noticeable.

Can you prevent Ozempic face?

“If your goal is to lose weight while taking semaglutide, the changes may be minimized but likely not prevented entirely,” explains Dr. Sinclair. That said, there are a few strategies that can help soften the impact:

1. Lose weight gradually

Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to preserving your skin’s elasticity. Dr. Sinclair recommends aiming for a modest weight loss of about one pound per week. This gradual approach gives your skin more time to adjust, reducing the likelihood of sagging or hollowing.

2. Prioritize protein in your diet

Semaglutide can suppress your appetite, but it’s important to ensure you’re still getting enough nutrients—especially protein. “Aim to eat about 0.8 to 1.2 grams of protein for every pound you weigh,” he advises. This helps prevent protein malnutrition, which can contribute to muscle loss and further accentuate facial thinning.

3. Commit to a skincare routine

Starting a skincare regimen can make a big difference. You don’t need an elaborate routine, but a few key steps can help maintain your skin’s health and appearance:

• Protect your skin from the sun: Sun damage accelerates skin aging. Apply a mineral-based, broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days, to prevent wrinkles and maintain skin elasticity.
• Avoid nicotine products: Smoking or using nicotine accelerates the breakdown of collagen, leading to premature wrinkles and sagging.
• Incorporate antioxidants: Applying a topical vitamin C serum can help protect your skin from environmental damage and promote a healthy glow.
• Consider collagen-boosting products: Retinoids, like tretinoin (Retin-A), can stimulate collagen production, helping to maintain skin firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Note: If you use a retinoid of any kind, sun protection is especially important because retinoids expose new, young skin.

How to treat Ozempic face

If you’re noticing facial changes from weight loss, the good news is there are effective treatments available. Whether it’s volume loss, sagging skin, or fine lines and wrinkles, you can choose from both non-surgical and surgical options. Here are some common treatments to consider:

Restoring lost volume

“Since the changes you see are caused by fat and volume loss, volume restoration is typically the first step in treatment,” explains Dr. Sinclair. “For smaller amounts of volume loss, off-the-shelf filler products, such as hyaluronic acid, can be beneficial.” These dermal fillers help plump up hollow areas and smooth out sagging skin. However, it’s important to note that fillers are temporary and usually require touch-ups every six to 12 months to maintain results.

For those experiencing more significant volume loss, a surgical option like fat grafting may be recommended. This procedure involves harvesting fat from another area of the body—such as the thighs or abdomen—and injecting it into the face to restore fullness. Fat grafting can be done as a standalone procedure or combined with more extensive facial surgeries, like a facelift, adds Dr. Sinclair.

Addressing sagging skin

When it comes to sagging skin, both non-surgical and surgical treatments are available.

“Non-surgical skin tightening devices may offer some benefit,” explains Dr. Sinclair. These devices use controlled energy—such as radiofrequency or ultrasound—to stimulate collagen production, which gradually improves skin firmness and elasticity over time.

“For patients with significant amounts of skin after weight loss, removal of extra skin tends to be more powerful,” he notes. This typically involves a facelift, a surgical procedure that tightens both the skin and the deeper facial tissues to restore a more youthful appearance. While highly effective, facelifts require anesthesia, come with a longer recovery period, and result in scars—though these are usually well-hidden in the natural creases around the ears.

Smoothing wrinkles and lines

“For wrinkles and lines that simple skin care regimens do not improve, skin resurfacing techniques can be effective,” says Dr. Sinclair.

Common resurfacing methods include laser treatments and chemical peels. He adds that regardless of the technique, the goal is the same: to create a controlled injury to the outer skin layers, which encourages the growth of fresh, new skin cells.

Combining treatments

“For many patients, multiple treatments are combined to address the specific issues that bother them,” says Dr. Sinclair. A consultation with a qualified medical professional can help create a customized treatment plan, carefully designed to meet individual needs and achieve the best possible results.

Other potential side effects of Ozempic

While much attention has been given to facial changes associated with semaglutide, Dr. Makin highlights a few other side effects that users should keep in mind. “These medications work by slowing down your digestion,” she explains, which can trigger side effects like:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Gas
• Heartburn

These symptoms can become more pronounced as the dosage increases. Fortunately, simple dietary tweaks can help manage these effects. Eating smaller, more frequent meals and cutting back on fatty foods may reduce nausea and bloating. Adding fiber-rich foods to your diet can alleviate constipation, while drinking plenty of water is essential to prevent dehydration, she adds.

What happens if you stop taking Ozempic?

“One of the biggest misconceptions about semaglutide is that you can take it for a few months, stop, and keep the weight off,” explains Dr. Makin. “Unfortunately, in a majority of patients, once the medication is stopped, most or all of the weight is regained.”

This is why healthcare providers stress the importance of pairing semaglutide with healthy, sustainable habits, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise. These lifestyle changes are important to achieving lasting results, whether you continue the medication or not.

If you’ve lost weight on semaglutide but need to stop due to cost, side effects, or other reasons, it’s critical to consult your doctor, advises Dr. Makin. They can recommend alternative treatments or strategies to help you maintain your progress and avoid regaining the weight.

When to see a doctor

While semaglutide medications offer significant benefits for managing conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity, it’s essential to stay alert for potential serious side effects. Knowing when to seek medical attention can prevent complications and protect your health. Be sure to contact your primary care doctor or endocrinologist immediately if you notice any of the following:

• Allergic reactions: rash, swelling, or hives
• Heart palpitations: fluttering or rapid heartbeat
• Vision problems: sudden changes or blurriness
• Signs of dehydration: extreme thirst, dry mouth, dizziness, or dark-colored urine
• Gallbladder issues: intense stomach pain, nausea, or fever
• Kidney problems: decreased urine output or swelling in your legs and ankles
• Pancreatitis: severe abdominal pain that may radiate to your back, fever, or persistent nausea
• Possible thyroid cancer symptoms: a lump in your neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or breathing problems

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• I’m a Doctor: Here’s Why I’ve Prescribed Ozempic to the ‘Healthy Overweight’
• I Took the “Ozempic Probiotic” for a Month-Here’s What Happened
• Trying to Quit Ozempic? Here’s What Nutrition Experts Say You Should Eat