"Ozempic Face" — Dermatologists Explain the Aging Effect

Who Coined "Ozempic Face"?

The term was popularized by Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, a celebrity cosmetic dermatologist in New York City and founder of PFRANKMD. Around 2022-2023, Frank noticed a "dramatic spike" in patients experiencing facial volume loss after GLP-1 weight loss.

Frank believes he coined the term to describe the facial changes he observed in his practice. The phrase quickly became a social media phenomenon, though it's not a medical diagnosis—you won't see it in medical literature or hear your doctor use it clinically.

The Science: What Actually Happens

When someone loses weight rapidly, several changes occur in the face:

1. Subcutaneous Fat Loss

The subcutaneous fat pads that give faces their plump, youthful contour shrink. These fat pads around the cheeks, temples, and under the eyes provide structural support—when they deflate, the face appears hollow or sunken.

2. Skin Laxity

Skin that stretched to accommodate excess weight doesn't immediately retract. This creates loose, sagging skin—particularly around the jowls, neck, and under the chin.

3. Collagen and Elastin Breakdown

Rapid weight loss decreases levels of two key skin proteins: elastin (which keeps skin stretchy) and collagen (which provides structure). This accelerates visible aging signs like wrinkles and fine lines.

According to Dr. Frank: "You can only refill a deflated balloon so much, and often surgical intervention is necessary."

Who's Most At Risk?

Several factors determine whether someone experiences significant facial changes:

Importantly, people in their 20s and 30s are far less likely to experience visible "Ozempic face"—their skin retains more elasticity and bounces back more readily.

The Plastic Surgery Boom

GLP-1 medications are driving measurable increases in cosmetic procedures. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) reported in their 2024 annual survey:

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) 2024 report found similar patterns:

• 20% of GLP-1 patients under ASPS surgeons have already undergone plastic surgery
• 39% are considering a surgical procedure
• 41% are considering nonsurgical treatments
• Facelifts grew 1%, buttock/thigh lifts rose 3%, arm lifts increased 2%

Dr. C. Bob Basu, ASPS President-Elect, noted: "The term 'Ozempic makeover' refers to a personalized set of plastic surgery procedures designed to address weight-loss-induced changes to the face, breast and body."

Common Signs of "Ozempic Face"

Patients experiencing this phenomenon typically report:

• Sunken eyes — Fat pads around the eyes diminish, making them appear set deeper
• Hollow cheeks — Loss of buccal fat creates a gaunt appearance
• Visible wrinkles — Fine lines and wrinkles become more pronounced
• Thin lips — Reduced fat volume affects lip plumpness
• Jowls — Sagging skin around the jawline and cheeks
• "Ozempic neck" — Loose skin and sagging in the neck area

These changes can make someone appear older than their actual age—sometimes dramatically so, even if other parts of the body have benefited from weight loss.

Evidence-Based Prevention Strategies

Research increasingly suggests that the effects of "Ozempic face" can be minimized with proactive interventions during weight loss:

The Protein-Muscle Connection

A 2025 case series published in PMC examined patients who prioritized lean tissue preservation during GLP-1 therapy. Those who combined:

• Resistance training 3-5 days/week
• Protein intake of 1.6-2.3 g/kg of fat-free mass per day
• Intentional exercise 4-7 days/week

...achieved weight losses of 13-33% while maintaining or even increasing lean soft tissue. This suggests that the "deflated" appearance associated with rapid GLP-1 weight loss may be partly preventable with targeted lifestyle interventions.

Treatment Options After the Fact

For those already experiencing "Ozempic face," dermatologists and plastic surgeons offer several interventions:

Non-Surgical Options

Surgical Options

• Facelift/necklift — Tightens underlying muscles and removes excess skin
• Fat transfer/grafting — Moves fat from body to face to restore volume
• Blepharoplasty — Addresses sunken or tired-looking eyes
• Cheek implants — Permanent volume restoration

According to AAFPRS data, 1 in 4 facial plastic surgeons anticipate GLP-1 medications will drive growing demand for both surgical and non-surgical treatments. 10% of AAFPRS members have started personally prescribing GLP-1 medications—a figure expected to grow.

The Bottom Line

"Ozempic face" is a real phenomenon with a straightforward explanation: rapid fat loss outpaces the skin's ability to retract, particularly in older patients. It's not unique to semaglutide—any significant weight loss method can cause it.

The good news: evidence suggests that combining GLP-1 therapy with resistance training, adequate protein intake, and gradual weight loss can minimize facial changes. For those already affected, both surgical and non-surgical treatments can restore volume and improve appearance.

As Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank summarizes: "Usually, with people from their mid-40s and above, once you start losing 10-plus pounds, you can get this kind of deflated look. Certainly, people losing 20 or 30-plus pounds are going to have this problem."