Ozempic Face: What It Really Is (And How to Prevent It)

Listen to the full episode: Facially Conscious Podcast

If you've heard the term "Ozempic face" floating around social media or in skincare circles, you're not alone. It's become one of the most talked-about concerns in the beauty and wellness industry. But here's the truth right out of the gate: it's not Ozempic's fault.

In this episode of Facially Conscious, hosts Trina Renea, a medically trained master esthetician, and Rebecca Gadberry, a skincare scientist and regulatory expert, break down what Ozempic face really is, why it happens, and most importantly, how you can prevent it. Whether you're considering GLP-1 medications, intermittent fasting, or any form of weight loss, this skincare advice is essential for maintaining healthy skin habits throughout your journey.

What Is Ozempic Face?

"Ozempic face" refers to the gaunt, hollow, and aged appearance that can occur when someone loses weight too quickly. The term has become popular because many people using GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and similar drugs have experienced this effect. However, as Trina emphasizes in the episode, the medication itself isn't causing the problem.

"It's not those drugs that are causing that problem. It's how you're doing it," Trina explains.

The real culprit? Rapid weight loss. When you lose weight too fast, your skin doesn't have time to adjust. Rebecca compares it to a balloon: "When you blow up a balloon and then you let out all the air, the balloon never returns back to what it was originally."

Your skin is an elastic, stretchable organ. When the fat pads underneath your skin—located under your eyes, cheeks, around your mouth, and on your forehead—disappear too quickly, the skin collapses. This creates that hollowed-out, aged appearance that people are calling Ozempic face.

Why Rapid Weight Loss Affects Your Skin

Understanding the science behind this phenomenon is key to preventing it. Your skin relies on subcutaneous fat to maintain its plump, youthful appearance. These fat pads don't typically thin out until advanced age, usually in your 80s or 90s. When you lose them rapidly through crash dieting, intermittent fasting done incorrectly, or taking weight loss medications without proper nutrition, your skin takes on an unhealthy, aged look.

Rebecca, who lost 40 pounds through intermittent fasting, shares her own experience: "It took me about a year to a year-and-a-half to recover." This recovery time varies based on several factors:

• Your age: Younger skin is more resilient and snaps back faster

• The amount of weight lost: Losing 200 pounds takes longer to recover from than losing 30 pounds

• Your genetics: Some people naturally have more elastic skin

• Your nutrition: What you eat during weight loss dramatically affects your skin's ability to maintain its structure

The Role of Protein in Preventing Ozempic Face

One of the most critical takeaways from this episode is the importance of protein. When you're losing weight, your body needs quality protein to maintain the collagen and elastin in your skin. These are the key proteins that keep your skin firm and elastic.

Rebecca recommends getting "at least 0.8 grams to 1.2 grams per pound or kilo of body weight in every meal." This isn't just about meat—quality protein sources include:

• Eggs

• Fish

• Dairy products

• Soy

• Legumes like beans

• The combination of beans and rice (which creates a complete amino acid profile)

If you're struggling to get enough protein, protein shakes or protein bars can help fill the gap. The key is consistency across all your meals, not just one protein-heavy meal per day.

Don't Skip the Fats

Many people trying to lose weight make the mistake of cutting out all fats and oils. This is a critical error for your skin health. Healthy fats help maintain your skin's barrier function and keep your cell membranes healthy.

Rebecca personally consumes "about a tablespoon to two tablespoons of olive oil every day, or about that much in fats or lipids per day." Healthy fat sources include:

• Avocado

• Olive oil

• Quality butter (which research now suggests may be better than margarine)

• Nuts and seeds

When you cut out too much fat, your skin becomes drier and more sensitive because the barrier is damaged. This compounds the appearance issues you're already facing from rapid weight loss.

Hydration and Electrolytes Matter

Dehydration makes everything worse. When you're dehydrated, your skin looks crepey and feels tight. When you press on it, it doesn't spring back—it drags.

Signs you need more water:

• Darker urine

• Crepey-looking skin

• Skin that feels tight

• Loss of skin plumpness

Don't forget about electrolytes. As Trina mentions, if you don't like sweet electrolyte drinks, you can add a small amount of mineralized salt to your water once a day. There are also electrolyte powders available that can help maintain proper hydration levels.

For more detailed information on hydration and minerals, check out the Facially Conscious episode, "Dive into Radiant Skin: Discover the Hidden Benefits of Oceanic Ingredients with Biologist Dan Fryda," about seaweed and mineral supplementation.

Skincare Ingredients That Can Help

If you're planning to start a weight loss journey or you're already experiencing some skin laxity, certain skincare ingredients can help support your skin's structure:

Peptides

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that signal your skin to produce more collagen and elastin. They're essential for maintaining skin firmness during weight loss.

Growth Factors

Rebecca specifically mentions Peauvita and Peauforia growth factors, which are stabilized and effectively delivered into the skin. These growth factors help stimulate collagen production and skin repair. Hear more about this at Next-Gen Growth Factors

Retinoids

Retinoids increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen production, making them valuable allies in maintaining skin structure during weight loss.

Niacinamide

At concentrations of 4% to 7%, niacinamide supports multiple aspects of skin health, including barrier function and collagen production.

Exosomes

This new ingredient family supports protein synthesis in the skin and helps maintain barrier function.

Ceramides

These lipids are crucial for maintaining your skin's barrier, especially important when you're losing weight and your skin is under stress.

What NOT to Do: The Botox Warning

Here's an important caution: Botox and similar neuromodulators are not the solution for Ozempic face. These injectables work by relaxing muscles, which can actually make sagging worse.

"Botox will relax the muscles in your face further. And if they're already drooping, it will add to the droop," Trina warns.

If you're experiencing significant skin laxity from rapid weight loss, you may be considering options such as dermal fillers (particularly Sculptra for volumizing), threading, or, in severe cases, surgical intervention. But these are last resorts—prevention is always better.

The Mediterranean and Diabetic Diet Approach

Both hosts emphasize eating a balanced, nutritious diet. Trina, who has been on Ozempic for a year for diabetes management, hasn't experienced Ozempic face because she goes slowly and eats healthily.

"If you eat your proteins with your fat and your carbs all together in each meal and you eat healthy and you go slow with your GLP-1 medications, you won't have that problem," she explains.

Mediterranean and diabetic diets are excellent frameworks because they emphasize:

• Balanced macronutrients at every meal

• Quality proteins

• Healthy fats

• Complex carbohydrates

• Plenty of vegetables and nutrients

How to Approach GLP-1 Medications Safely

If you're considering Ozempic, Mounjaro, or similar medications, here's the anti-aging skincare approach:

1. Start with lower doses and increase gradually

2. Prep your skin for one to two months before starting with collagen-boosting ingredients

3. Eat a balanced diet with adequate protein, healthy fats, and nutrients at every meal

4. Go slow with your weight loss—resist the temptation to see results too quickly

5. Use supportive skincare with peptides, growth factors, and retinoids

6. Stay hydrated and maintain electrolyte balance

7. Monitor your skin and adjust your approach if you notice early signs of laxity

Recovery Time: What to Expect

If you've already experienced some degree of Ozempic face, recovery is possible, but it takes time. The recovery period depends on:

• Age: Younger skin (20s) recovers much faster than mature skin (60s and beyond)

• Amount of weight lost: More weight loss means longer recovery time

• Skin resilience: Genetics play a role in how quickly your skin bounces back

• Nutrition: Continuing to eat well supports the recovery process

Recovery can take anywhere from three to six months for modest weight loss in younger individuals, to a year and a half or more for significant weight loss in older adults.

The Bottom Line on Ozempic Face

The Ozempic face is really just a rapid weight-loss face. It's an issue about tissue—specifically, the subcutaneous fat tissue that keeps your skin looking plump and youthful. The solution isn't to avoid weight loss or these medications if you need them. The solution is to approach weight loss intelligently, with proper nutrition, adequate protein and healthy fats, supportive skincare ingredients, and patience.

As Rebecca wisely notes, "I think a lot of us want to see results so fast that we overdo it and then we pay the price for it."

This tip applies to so much in skincare and wellness: slow and steady wins the race. Your skin is a living organ that needs time to adapt to changes in your body. Give it time, feed it the nutrients it needs, and support it with quality skincare ingredients, and you can achieve your weight-loss goals without sacrificing your skin's health and appearance.

For more skincare education and dermatology insights, visit Facially Conscious, where you can access additional episodes, blog posts, and expert interviews on everything from ingredient deep dives to the latest in healthy skin habits.

Have questions about this episode or topics you'd like the hosts to cover? Email them at info@faciallyconscious.com or reach out through Instagram @FaciallyConscious.

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