Expert’s Guide to the Ozempic Face Treatment

I've had countless patients come to me concerned about what’s commonly referred to as the “Ozempic face” after starting semaglutide for weight loss. 

It’s when the face looks a bit different after taking weight-loss medication — with some areas becoming more hollow or sagging. I understand how frustrating it is for both patients and practitioners alike.

I’m Dr. Maya Sinai, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon with over a decade of experience in aesthetic and surgical dermatology. 

In this article, I’ll walk you through the best Ozempic face treatment options we currently have.

Key Takeaways

• There are several effective treatments for Ozempic face, including facial fillers, microneedling, HIFU, PDO threading, and surgical options.
• Facial fillers (hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, and collagen stimulators) are commonly used to restore volume in Ozempic face treatment. 
• HIFU can be used to stimulate deeper layers of skin and collagen production.
• Surgical options like a facelift or fat transfer can be considered when non-invasive treatments don't achieve the desired results.

What Is the Ozempic Face?

With 30% of the US population being overweight, the popularity of Ozempic and similar GLP-1 agonist drugs isn’t a surprise. However, it does come with a cost. 

When the body loses fat quickly, the skin struggles to keep up. As a result, the face loses volume and elasticity. We end up with typical Ozempic face telltale signs—skin laxity, hollowness, and wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, and jawline.

I’ve observed face wrinkles and sagging in many of my patients. While it’s a natural part of aging, the rapid weight loss brought on by Ozempic speeds up this process.

The Effects of Medication-Driven Weight Loss on the Face 

It is imperative that we recognize the Ozempic-induced facial deflation not merely as a cosmetic concern but also as a physiological consequence of catabolic states induced by sustained appetite suppression and caloric deficit.

The loss of structural fat can unmask underlying skeletal features, exacerbate rhytids, and reduce skin turgor, particularly in middle-aged or older patients with baseline facial laxity. 

In aesthetic or dermatologic practice, this underscores the importance of anticipatory guidance and integrated management strategies — like biostimulatory fillers and other collagen induction therapies — to preserve or restore facial volume and skin integrity. 

Patient Assessment: Choose the Best Ozempic Face Treatment Plan

As usual, I would advise you to start your assessment with the patient’s detailed medical history, including duration and degree of weight loss, concurrent use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, and baseline facial anatomy. 

If the patient can provide you with photographs of how they looked before starting the Ozempic treatment, that can assist you in quantifying soft tissue changes.

When examining the patient’s face, I tend to focus on areas most affected by adipose atrophy — the malar region, nasolabial folds, periorbital hollowing, and mandibular contour. Skin quality, dermal thickness, and degree of laxity will also influence treatment selection. 

What Can We Use for the Ozempic Face Treatment?

In my experience, there are several effective treatments available to address the so-called Ozempic face.

Let me walk you through five options that we commonly discuss in my practice.

1. Facial Fillers

Facial fillers are used to restore volume loss in Ozempic face treatment.

The most common fillers I used in my practice include: 

• Hyaluronic acid fillers (e.g., Restylane and Revanesse)
• Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers (e.g., Radiesse)
• Poly-L-lactic acid fillers (e.g., Sculptra)

I’ve seen how dermal fillers work wonders and offer an immediate improvement in facial fullness. 

Patients with mild to moderate volume loss and good skin elasticity may respond well to hyaluronic acid-based fillers for immediate correction.

Patients with advanced soft tissue depletion and compromised dermal integrity usually benefit from collagen-stimulating agents such as poly-L-lactic acid (e.g., Sculptra) or calcium hydroxylapatite (e.g., Radiesse), which provide gradual, bioactive restoration of volume.

The results are subtle but noticeable, and patients often tell me they feel more refreshed and youthful without looking “overdone”.

2. Microneedling

In my experience, microneedling is most effective when used as part of a layered regenerative strategy — either before introducing volumizing treatments or in between filler and biostimulator sessions. 

It’s a low-downtime option I recommend for patients not yet ready for invasive procedures but who need a boost in dermal integrity to counteract the hollowing and skin thinning often seen with rapid fat loss.

3. HIFU

I find HIFU best suited for patients who exhibit sufficient subcutaneous fat but present with compromised skin elasticity following weight loss. It should be applied to key anchor points—such as the subtalar zone, jawline, and submental area—to support tissue repositioning. 

One of the things I love about HIFU is that the results are gradual and natural-looking. 

While it’s not a substitute for fillers or biostimulators, when combined with volume restoration strategies, HIFU can help you enhance treatment outcomes.

4. PDO Threading

In Ozempic face cases with notable facial deflation but preserved dermal integrity, I suggest using barbed PDO threads to provide mechanical lifting of the midface, jowls, and jawline. You will not only reposition sagging tissues but you’ll also promote collagen synthesis along the insertion paths. 

Many of my patients see an immediate lifting effect with PDO threading. But the full benefits — like increased skin tightness and improved texture — become more apparent after a few months.

Ideal candidates are those with mild to moderate laxity who desire structural support without the added volume of fillers.

5. Surgical Options

In my practice, I reserve surgical interventions—such as facelifts and autologous fat grafting—for patients with advanced facial deflation and significant skin laxity.

When volume loss is extensive and soft tissue descent is visibly altering facial harmony, I find that a lower or mid-facelift provides the most definitive correction. By repositioning the SMAS and excising redundant skin, we can restore youthful contours, especially in the jawline and midface.

FAQs

Is Ozempic Face Permanent?

No, the Ozempic face is not permanent. It can be reversed with proper treatment and skin care, such as fillers.

What Organs Does Ozempic Affect?

Ozempic affects the pancreas, liver, and gastrointestinal system to regulate blood sugar. Its adverse effects show up on the kidneys, gastrointestinal system (causing nausea and vomiting), and the thyroid (it increases the risk of thyroid cancer).

Does the Ozempic Face Go Away After You Stop Taking It?

The Ozempic face may improve after stopping the medication, especially if weight loss stabilizes. However, some facial changes persist and require treatment. 

Can You Prevent the Ozempic Face?

Completely preventing the Ozempic face is not possible. But patients can minimize its effects by slowing down the rate of weight loss, having a good skincare routine, drinking enough water, moisturizing with hyaluronic acid, and eating a diet rich in collagen-stimulating nutrients. 

References 

1. Mansour MR, Hannawa OM, Yaldo MM, Nageeb EM, Kongkrit Chaiyasate. The Rise of “Ozempic Face”: Analyzing Trends and Treatment Challenges Associated with Rapid Facial Weight Loss Induced by GLP-1 Agonists. Journal of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2024;96:225-227. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2024.07.051
2. Nguyen L, Blessmann M, Schneider SW, Herberger K. Radiofrequency Microneedling for Skin Tightening of the Lower Face, Jawline, and Neck Region. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al]. 2022;48(12):1299-1305. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000003607
3. Cobo R. Use of Polydioxanone Threads as an Alternative in Nonsurgical Procedures in Facial Rejuvenation. Facial Plastic Surgery. 2020;36(04):447-452. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1714266
4. Mikołaj Kamiński, Maja Miętkiewska-Dolecka, Matylda Kręgielska-Narożna, Paweł Bogdański. Popularity of Surgical and Pharmacological Obesity Treatment Methods Searched by Google Users: the Retrospective Analysis of Google Trends Statistics in 2004–2022. Obesity Surgery. Published online December 16, 2023. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-023-06971-y

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