Ozempic Face: Rapid Weight Loss Side Effect of ‘Wonder Drug’
A ‘wonder drug’ known as Ozempic has taken the world by storm. Known as the cure for obesity, many people – famous or not – have jumped on this weight loss trend. However, the side effects can be disastrous, with one such example being Ozempic Face.
What is Ozempic?
After first making headlines in 2021 after featuring on an episode of The Dr Oz Show titled “Could a diabetes drug cure obesity,” Ozempic’s had a whirlwind climb to fame. However, long before this, the drug existed on the pharmaceutical market for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.
Doctor Judey Pretorius, Founder of Biomedical Emporium, explains Ozempic is a weekly injection that helps to lower blood sugar levels. It does this by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin. Furthermore, it mimics a naturally occurring hormone known as GLP-1. This hormone regulates appetite, tells your brain when you are full and slows digestion so you feel fuller for longer.
It is true that individuals with Type 2 Diabetes often experience weight loss as a common side effect of taking Ozempic. And, this is where things started to spiral. Since this came to light, Ozempic has been rapidly prescribed for weight management. This, in turn, led to a shortage of Ozempic around the globe, with Type 2 diabetics suffering from lack of available medication.
What is Ozempic Face?
Suddenly, celebrities like Kelly Osbourne, Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey were singing its praises and the public started playing a game of ‘who we think is on Ozempic.’ In fact, they scrutinised celebrities’ appearances, looking for boney shoulders or most importantly, Ozempic Face.
This colloquial term refers to hollowed out facial features and sagging, rapidly ageing facial skin. However, concerns have also been raised about lost facial contours and decreased bone structure density. All of this is bound to occur when a person loses weight rapidly instead of gradually.
Dr Pretorius says: “Rapid weight loss is often more pronounced on the face and can result in significant change in appearance. The term, Ozempic face, came about when people started noticing that those who had lost a lot of weight using the drug appeared to develop sagging and rapidly ageing facial skin. Not only did their face look hollowed out, but their lines and wrinkles become more pronounced and their skin appeared looser or more saggy in areas such as the jowls.”
Further to this, she explains that facial fat serves many functions. It has a protective function and helps to maintain the skin’s elasticity. When the fat that cushions the skin is no longer there, it may lead to shrinkage and dermatological changes. “Due to the reduced levels of elastin and collagen in the absence of fat, facial skin may lose its ability to retract, resulting in a loss of structural integrity. This is what leads to the sudden onset of a sagging, tired, gaunt and aged appearance.”
Prevention is Better Than Cure: Avoiding or Treating Ozempic Face
Of course, it is important to realise that these facial changes are not exclusive to Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs. They may occur in any instances of rapid weight loss. Nevertheless, when weight is lost gradually and over a long period of time, these facial effects are not as noticeable.
Instead of injecting yourself with GLP-1 drugs, choose a more sustainable and natural method of weight loss. Start by adopting a more sustainable diet and increasing exercise.
If you have already developed Ozempic Face and want to mitigate its effects, Dr Pretorius recommends a few treatment plans. According to her, injectable bio-stimulators and skin-tightening procedures like micro-needling are quite effective in improving skin sagging. Or, use high-concentration hyaluronic acid skincare products to increase the skin’s plumpness and hydration. Additionally, collagen drinks may also improve skin elasticity and decrease the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Her suggestion is to avoid dermal fillers, though, as these may lead to more significant challenges over time.
Before you choose Ozempic (or other GLP-1 drugs) as your weight loss solution, educate yourself about Ozempic Face and other potential long-term side effects of using this drug for the treatment of anything other than Type 2 Diabetes.
