Screenshot
Screenshot
Dear Patients,
The GLP’s are here to stay…and with images of celebrities that have done it very well and well others to very bad extremes..(Kelly Osborn) .Ozempic face is real!
So what is it??
This image illustrates potential facial changes associated with rapid weight loss from medications like Ozempic, often referred to as “Ozempic face”.
It can cause a hollowed-out appearance due to facial fat loss.
It may increase visible signs of aging, such as more lines and wrinkles.
Loss of facial fat can lead to loose and sagging skinOzempic face” refers to a, non-medical, colloquial term for accelerated facial aging—sunken cheeks, sagging skin, and more prominent wrinkles—resulting from rapid weight loss while taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic (GLP-1) or Wegovy(Combination of GLP 1 and GIP). It is caused by the quick loss of facial fat. It is not a direct chemical side effect of the drug, but rather a consequence of fast weight loss.
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Symptoms and Physical Changes
Sunken or Hollow Appearance:Loss of fat in the cheeks, temples, and under the eyes.
Sagging Skin (Jowling): Loose skin around the jawline and neck because skin cannot contract quickly enough.
Increased Wrinkles: Enhanced visibility of lines, especially around the mouth.
“Tired” Look: A gaunt appearance, making individuals look older, particularly in women and older adults.
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Causes and Factors
Rapid Weight Loss: The main cause, as facial fat is often lost quickly, leaving skin behind.
Age-Related Collagen Loss:Older individuals often have less skin elasticity, making sagging more noticeable.
Other Causes: It is similar to changes seen after bariatric surgery or rapid dieting.
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Duration and Management
Duration: The facial changes are not permanent in terms of the skin itself, but the lost fat volume will not return unless weight is regained. The look persists as long as the rapid weight loss continues.
Management:
Slower Weight Loss: Avoiding overly rapid, extreme weight loss can allow skin time to adjust.
Skincare: Using firming products )growth factors and pdrn, and exosomes) and retinoids may help with skin quality.
Nutrition: High protein intake can help maintain muscle mass, which may slightly reduce the “gaunt” look.
Procedures: Dermatologists and plastic surgeons may treat it with dermal fillers, skin tightening, or fat grafting if there is any fat left to use!
Psychological Effects
The dramatic, quick shift in appearance can be unsettling or surprising, causing some to seek cosmetic procedures to reverse the “aged” look, though it is not a physically harmful condition.
We also can manage it by the use of regenerative therapy with the use of bio stimulants like Sculptra and even slightly by repeating the use of Radiesse (calcium Hydroxyl appetite-bone components to build) vs. the use of traditional Hyaluronic acids that are temporary and do not replenish lost volume or collagen long term or over time.
Also I am one of the only doctors to successfully use RENUVA on these type of patients. Renuva is a biological stem cell derived fat product that actually regrows fat. It can be use in many parts ofthe body including the midface.
These agents also can be combined to deliver instant gratification vs. wait overtime 3-6 months for The bio stimulation from Sculptra or Radiesse or fat replacements with Renuva.
You may ask why don’t I ever mention Bellafill?
Because it’s simply a product I do not advocate. It’s basically bone cement or what most woman know as Acrylic Nails. It is a compound called Poly Methylmactylate. Aka bone cement and same thing in acrylic nails. I do not want this foreign substance in the face. Over time who really knows what complication may result as we do age and change in how our body and our immune system reacts to foreign substances. Granuloma being the more common worry. It also is bovine r. Aka. Ow derived coating so it requires an allergy test to be safe.
Whereas Sculptra is basically pulverized victuals sutures. Aka Poly L lactic acid. Which I know well and can predict its behavior. It also degrades over time. Bellafill does not!! And that’s the big concern…
Hope this is good reading to get through those Eastcoast Blizzards!
I will have office hours the week of March 7. If anyone may want to schedule an appointment please message here or text 203-954-9293
Sincerely
Karen Soika MD