Ozempic Face & Other Changes from Semaglutides
A Dermatologist’s Perspective
It seems as if Semiglutides are here to stay – Ozempic was originally approved for diabetes and blood sugar management in 2017, but became mainstream for weight loss management around 2021. Several brands have become popular such as Wegovy, Zepbound, and Ozempic, although the market is flooded with different generic and compounded versions of semiglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide.
The health benefits of GLP-1 inhibitors have been shown through various studies which demonstrate their reduction in heart disease, stroke, and even possibly dementia! What are the pitfalls of taking GLP-1s for weight loss?
In dermatology we see three main complaints:
Problem 1. “Ozempic Face” or a noticeable change in facial appearance
Problem 2. Loss of face and body skin elasticity or “crepey skin”
Problem 3. Hair loss
Problem 1: What is Ozempic Face?
“Ozempic face” refers to a noticeable change in facial appearance that some individuals experience while taking the medication. People who drop very rapidly have reported a gaunt or sunken appearance, particularly in the cheeks and around the jawline, which can result from rapid weight loss. This can make people appear more tired and aged than they are!
Why Does It Happen?
- Rapid Weight Loss: One of the primary reasons people turn to Ozempic is for its weight loss benefits. However, losing weight too quickly can lead to changes in facial volume and skin elasticity. When fat is lost from the face, it can create a hollow appearance, making some individuals look older or more tired than they feel.
- Skin Elasticity: As we age, our skin naturally loses collagen and elasticity. Rapid weight loss can exacerbate this issue, as the skin may not have enough time to adjust to the new facial structure and there may be a reduction in the superficial fat pads beneath the skin. This can lead to sagging skin or a less youthful appearance.
- Hydration and Nutrition: Weight loss often comes with changes in diet and hydration. Insufficient hydration or a lack of essential protein and nutrients can impact skin health, contributing to a less vibrant appearance.
Who is Affected?
While not everyone on Ozempic experiences this phenomenon, those who lose weight significantly or rapidly may be more likely to notice changes in their facial appearance. Genetics, age, and overall skin health also play critical roles in how one’s face responds to weight loss.
How Do I prevent Ozempic Face?
If you’re concerned about Ozempic face, there are several strategies you can adopt:
- Gradual Weight Loss: If possible, aim for a slower, more gradual weight loss to give your body—and your skin—time to adjust.
- Skincare Routine: Invest in a good skincare regimen that includes moisturizers and products with hyaluronic acid or retinol, which can help improve skin texture and firmness. We love skinmedica TNS as it is the only growth factor that has been proven to improve sagging skin!!
- Consult Professionals: If you’re experiencing significant changes in your facial appearance, consider consulting a dermatologist. We treat these problems every day at Pure Dermatology. Book an appointment to learn more about how we can treat hair loss!
- Cosmetic Fillers and injectables: Injectable fillers like hyaluronic acid can help restore volume and contour to the face, offering a more youthful appearance. We LOVE Sculptra to stimulate collagen production.
- Skincare Treatments: Non-invasive options such as microneedling, radiofrequency therapy, or laser treatments can improve skin elasticity and promote collagen production.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help maintain skin elasticity and overall appearance.
- Balanced Diet: Ensure your diet is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, which are essential for skin health. Foods high in antioxidants can also help support skin vitality.
Surgery: In severe cases, procedures like a facelift may be considered to address sagging skin and restore a more youthful look.
Problem 2: How Do GLP-1s cause crepey or loose skin?
GLP-1 medications can contribute to crepey skin due to rapid weight loss and the impact on skin’s structural components. While highly effective for weight loss, these medications can lead to a decrease in collagen and elastin production, essential proteins for skin elasticity. This, combined with potential muscle loss, and the shrinking of superficial fat pads can result in loose, sagging skint. The main causes for crepey skin:
- 1. Loss of Collagen and Elastin: Rapid weight loss can outpace the skin’s ability to produce these proteins, causing it to lose its firmness and appear crepey.
- 2. Muscle Loss: GLP-1 medications can also lead to muscle loss, which can further exacerbate the appearance of loose skin. Muscles provide underlying support for the skin, and their reduction can make the skin look even more saggy.
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- 3. Fat Loss: While GLP-1s target fat cells, the rapid reduction in overall body fat can also contribute to skin laxity. The skin may not shrink back to its original form after significant fat loss, leading to sagging and crepey skin, especially in areas with more fat.
In essence, the weight loss induced by GLP-1s, coupled with their impact on collagen, elastin, and fat cells, can lead to a noticeable loss of skin firmness and elasticity, resulting in a crepey appearance
How Do I Prevent Crepey Skin?
- Gradual weight loss: Aim to lose weight at a healthy pace (e.g., 1-2 pounds per week) to give your skin time to adjust and retract.
- Hydration: Staying well-hydrated is crucial for skin elasticity. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily.
- Skincare: Use moisturizers and topical treatments containing ingredients like retinoids, peptides, and hyaluronic acid to boost collagen production, improve skin texture, and hydration. One of our favorites at Pure Dermatology is Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Body.
- Sculptra: We love injecting hyperdilute Sculptra on the body to improve crepey skin. Necks, Knees, Decolettage..we got you covered! Book a cosmetic consultation to learn more!
- Protein-rich diet: Ensure you’re getting enough protein to support skin elasticity and muscle mass. Include lean proteins like chicken, fish, beans, and legumes.
- Exercise: Regular exercise, particularly strength training, helps build muscle and improve circulation, which can fill out loose skin and enhance elasticity. We love truScupt FLex for our patients that are committed to a weight loss program! We can help you build the muscle that you are losing!
- Sun Protection: Protect your skin from sun damage by using broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, as UV radiation breaks down collagen and elastin, accelerating skin aging. Our favorite body sunscreen is Neova Active – its a great broad spectrum SPF combined with DNA repair enzymes that reverse sun damage while protecting!
- Avoid Smoking: Smoking significantly damages collagen and elastin, contributing to crepey skin
Problem 3: How do GLP-1s cause Hair Loss?
GLP-1 medications can indirectly cause hair loss, primarily through rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies, not directly from the medication itself. This hair loss is often due to telogen effluvium, a temporary condition where stress pushes hair follicles into a resting phase, leading to increased shedding a few months later. The body can feel stress from losing significant weight quickly, so it pauses hair growth to concentrate on maintaining the rest of the body’s functions normally. This type of hair loss is generally reversible and can be treated by a dermatologist. An unbalanced diet can cause nutritional deficiencies, thus causing more hair loss.
How do I prevent hair loss while taking GLP-1 medications?
- Gradual weight loss: to cause less stress on the body.
- Nutrient-rich diet: Ensure you’re getting enough protein, fruits, vegetables to ensure adequate intake of zinc, iron, biotin, omega-3-fatty acids and vitamin D so the body does not get put into a stressed state..
- Vitamin supplementation: consider taking a hair support supplement like Nutrafol to support the hair follicle. This is a very common treatment at Pure Dermatology – don’t give up if you don’t see results for 3 months! Hair loss treatments can take a while to work!
- Prescription management for hair loss: Visit your local dermatologist to discuss hair loss medications like low dose minoxidil. We evaluate and treat hair loss every day at Pure Dermatology. A variety of medications, shampoos, and topical medications are available, and sometimes lab work is needed beforehand to rule out any other cause.
Add In-office procedures to boost or stimulate hair growth: a procedure like AnteAge MD exosomes! We see great results from these procedures! Microneedling is performed to make small channels, then exosomes are added to scalp to penetrate the hair follicle and move the hair into the growing cycle.
Book an appointment with a Pure Dermatology expert today!
