The rise of the OZEMPIC face - Ozempic Causes Dramatic Facial Ageing: Insights by Dr Sophie Gaskell

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a diebetes medicine use to treat poorly controlled type 2 diabetes in adults. It can be used on its own, or in conjunction with other anti-diabetic medication.

Why is it getting so much attention?

More people are turning to this medication to induce weight loss - however its not a miracle drug! The FDA first approved the injectable medication for treating diabetes in 2017; the agency approved a drug with a higher dose of the actie ingredient in Ozempic called Semaglutide to treat obesity in 2021, under the brand name Wegovy.

Since then, talk of the drug has popped up across social media, with celebrities and influencers singing the drug's praises. On TikTok alone, the hashtag #Ozempic has been viewed over 273 million times.

How does it work?

Semaglutide lowers blood sugar levels and regulates insulin, which is crucial for people with type 2 diabetes. The drug also imitates a naturally occuring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which limits appetite by signalling to our body that we feel full, as well as promoting out stomachs to empty more slowly. People feel fuller faster, and as a result, people lose weight when taking it.

Interesting fact: The FDA has not approved Ozempic for weight loss, but after the FDA authorised Wegovy for weight loss, there was such a damand for the drug that some providers turned to Ozempic when the couldn't get Wegovy.

What is the Ozempic face?

A side effect of Ozempic is leaving celebrities with what is being branded 'Ozempic face' due to the loss of facial fat.

How does it age you?

By losing volume of the facial fat pads!

A youthful face is characterised by a seemingly homogenous distribution of superficial and deep fat pads. As we age, these fat pads atrophy and redistribute. They become thinner, descent and separate, resulting in the signs of ageing. When you lose weight, you also lose fat from your face which will have the same effect as age-related volume loss.

Weight loss related ageing is not isolated to Ozempic

Any notable weight loss (no matter how you achieved it) will result in a visible change to the face - and its not necessarily a welcomed one!

Quite often, I have patients coming to the clinic following weight loss, complaining they look 'older' - so with strategic tweaks using dermal filler, volume can be added back to the face, restoring a more youthful look.

Think Ozempic sounds like a wonder weight loss drug? Think again!

Ozempic does not come without a host of potential side effects, ranging from mild to severe. These include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence, constipation, stomach ache, abdominal pain, eye problems, kideny problems, gall baldder disease, pancreatitis and increased risk of thyroid cancer.

Dr Sophie Gaskell BDS PGDip (Aesth Med)

@drsophiegaskell