What is Ozempic face? Causes and how to manage it

Taking a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic (semaglutide) — whether for diabetes, weight management, or other health needs — often brings about noticeable changes in your body. While the scale might reflect weight loss, some people experience other changes too, like a decrease in muscle mass or even changes in facial appearance, sometimes referred to as “Ozempic face.”

“Ozempic face refers to changes in the appearance of your face that can happen when you lose fat quickly, especially around your cheeks and chin,” says Claire Morrow, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Hinge Health. When these fat stores shrink, your cheeks can look less full and lines or wrinkles may become more noticeable.

While these facial changes can be surprising, they aren’t harmful — and they don’t happen to everyone taking Ozempic or other GLP-1 medications. Still, it’s understandable to feel frustrated by the cosmetic impact. Losing a lot of weight quickly — whether you’re taking a weight-loss medication or through other methods — can cause similar changes in your facial appearance. There isn’t always a lot you can do to prevent this, but losing weight gradually, staying active, and eating protein may help you maintain muscle as you lose fat.

Ahead, Hinge Health physical therapists explain how combining Ozempic with exercise, eating enough protein, and making other lifestyle changes may help with such facial changes that can occur with rapid weight loss.

What is Ozempic face?

Ozempic face is an informal way to describe the changes in facial fullness that can happen after significant weight loss on Ozempic or other GLP-1 receptor agonist medications. This class of drugs, originally used for type 2 diabetes, is now widely used for weight loss because the medications curb appetite, slow digestion, and promote weight loss. While losing weight can have many health benefits, it often leads to changes in body composition, including reductions in both fat and muscle mass. This is what contributes to the appearance of Ozempic face.

Unlike natural age-related muscle loss or weight fluctuations from diet and exercise, Ozempic face is primarily driven by rapid fat loss, including some contribution from muscle loss. When this fat diminishes quickly, it can lead to sagging skin, more noticeable wrinkles, and deflated cheeks. But this doesn’t happen to everyone who takes Ozempic or other GLP-1s. 

Causes of Ozempic face

Several factors can contribute to the appearance of Ozempic face when losing weight with GLP-1 medications. Rapid fat loss, loose or sagging skin, sun damage, and natural age-related changes can all play a role in how your face looks during and after weight loss. Understanding these causes can help you take steps to support healthy skin and maintain muscle mass.

• Rapid fat loss. Your cheeks naturally store fat. The two main types are buccal fat (located between your cheekbones and jawline) and subcutaneous fat (the layer of fat just beneath your skin). “You can’t selectively keep facial fat when losing weight,” Dr. Morrow says. When you lose weight quickly, the fat in this area can shrink rapidly, which can lead to a deflated, sagging, or flattened appearance.

• Muscle loss. There are more than 20 muscles in your face. Any time you lose weight, you can lose both muscle and fat anywhere in your body. Ozempic face happens mostly because of rapid fat loss, though it’s possible your facial muscles could decrease, too. 

• Loose skin. The ability of the skin to bounce back after weight loss depends on factors such as collagen, elastin, hydration, and genetics. These individual factors help explain why some people have a more pronounced Ozempic face than others. “If weight loss is too rapid, the skin doesn’t have time to adjust,” says Claudia Canales, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Hinge Health. “This can create loose or sagging skin on your face, making it appear deflated.”

• Sun damage. Spending a lot of time in the sun without UV protection, like sun hats or sunscreen, can damage your skin over time. Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun breaks down collagen and elastin — two proteins that help keep your skin firm and elastic. This can lead to premature wrinkles, age spots, and loose skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. These effects may become more noticeable if you also lose weight rapidly.

• Age-related changes. “Ozempic face can affect people of all ages,” says Dr. Canales.  But since people naturally lose collagen, elastin, and muscle mass as they get older, this can make the effects of rapid weight loss more pronounced in older folks. Older people may also find that their skin becomes thinner and less resilient, making it harder to adapt to changes in body composition.

Signs of Ozempic face

Not everyone who takes Ozempic will notice changes in their facial appearance. Whether you experience Ozempic face or not can depend on factors like skin health, how quickly you lose weight, and even genetics. Signs of Ozempic face can include:

• Loss in facial volume or hollowing

• Increased appearance of wrinkles or sagging skin

• Changes in skin elasticity

• Lip thinning 

• More prominent bone structure in the face

• Sunken eyes

• Premature aging in the face

Treatments for Ozempic face

While there’s no quick fix for Ozempic face, the best ways to support your skin and muscles are to adopt a strength training routine, incorporate protein into your diet, and stay hydrated throughout the day. Some approaches include:

• Stay consistent with strength training. When you’re taking GLP-1s, it’s important to maintain a whole-body strength training routine, as this can help preserve your overall muscle mass, though this may not help prevent Ozempic face specifically. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans suggest doing at least two muscle-strengthening activities per week. Those taking GLP-1s may benefit from additional resistance training sessions. “There’s currently no evidence that suggests facial exercises can reverse Ozempic face,” says Dr. Morrow. 

• Eat plenty of protein. Prioritizing protein can help you maintain muscle mass. “If you’re not eating enough protein as you lose weight, you can lose muscle,” says Dr. Morrow. Incorporating lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, tofu, legumes, and protein shakes into your diet are just some ways you can consume more protein throughout the day. Consuming a protein-rich meal after strength training is especially effective for supporting muscle recovery and subsequent growth. If you want more personalized advice tailored to your specific health goals, consider working with a registered dietitian.

• Stay hydrated. Water supports protein metabolism, nutrient absorption, and circulation, all of which contribute to muscle repair and growth. Proper hydration can also help maintain skin and muscle firmness, which may improve the appearance of sagging after weight loss. Aim to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water each day (about 75 ounces of water for a 150-pound person) to keep your muscles and tissues healthy.

• Consider collagen supplements. Research shows that both oral and topical collagen supplements can help delay signs of skin aging, like dryness and loss of elasticity, with no major side effects. Either option can support your skin health. 

• Explore dermatologic treatments. If changes in your facial appearance are affecting your confidence, talk to your dermatologist about cosmetic options like dermal fillers or skin-tightening procedures, which can help restore volume and give your skin a more youthful look. Keep in mind these treatments can be costly and often aren’t long-term solutions. A more sustainable, health-focused approach involves prioritizing strength training, good nutrition, and hydration to support muscle, improve body composition, and promote skin health from the inside out.

Can you prevent Ozempic face?

Ozempic face may not always be preventable, but there are things you can do to support your skin and overall health while taking GLP-1 medications. Exercising regularly, consuming foods that naturally contain healthy fats, and focusing on gradual weight loss, along with adopting a consistent skin-care routine, can help protect your skin and support your overall well-being. These strategies include: 

• Stay active. Regular movement is key for maintaining muscle and supporting your overall health while taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic. Include weight-bearing activities like walking or jogging to help preserve muscle and support bone health, Dr. Morrow says. It’s also important to balance aerobic exercise with strength training — both types of movement work together to help you feel stronger and more energized as your body changes.

• Eat healthy fats. Essential fatty acids, like those found in avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, support skin elasticity and muscle recovery. Healthy fats also play a role in maintaining overall body composition and can help prevent excessive fat loss in certain areas.

• Try to lose weight gradually. Rapid weight loss increases the likelihood of losing both fat and muscle, which can lead to more pronounced changes in your face. Slow, steady weight loss allows your body to adjust while minimizing muscle breakdown. “If you’re taking a medication like Ozempic for weight loss specifically, talk to your doctor about your dose. They may be able to adjust your dose to help you lose weight more gradually,” says Dr. Morrow. 

• Enhance your skin routine. Research shows that face serums containing ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C can help reduce fine lines and improve skin firmness and complexion. In general, moisturizing regularly and using a quality SPF sunscreen are simple ways to protect and support your skin’s health. Many drugstore brands contain these beneficial ingredients, so you don’t have to spend a lot to try them.

• Consider lifestyle modifications. Getting enough quality sleep and managing stress can go a long way toward supporting muscle recovery. Research has identified a link between poor sleep quality and collagen breakdown in the skin. Limiting alcohol consumption is also important for skin health: One study found that drinking eight or more alcoholic beverages per week was linked to more pronounced facial lines, puffiness under the eyes, midface volume loss, and more visible blood vessels. Similarly, smoking tobacco was connected to more noticeable crow’s feet (wrinkles around the eyes) and less fullness in the lips.

PT tip: Prioritize muscle-preserving activities

You can’t always control exactly how weight loss will affect your appearance, including changes in your face. Instead of focusing on factors outside your control, prioritize what you can do to support your overall health — especially maintaining muscle as you lose weight. “One of the best strategies is to stay consistent with whole-body strength training,” says Dr. Morrow. Aim for resistance training two to three days per week, focusing on all major muscle groups. “Regular movement doesn’t just help preserve muscle — it also supports your skin, bones, and overall well-being,” says Dr. Morrow.

How Hinge Health can help you

If you have joint or muscle pain that makes it hard to move, you can get the relief you’ve been looking for with Hinge Health’s online exercise therapy program.

The best part: You don’t have to leave your home because our program is digital. That means you can easily get the care you need through our app when and where it works for you.

Through our program, you’ll have access to therapeutic exercises and stretches for your condition. Additionally, you’ll have a personal care team to guide, support, and tailor our program to you.

See if you qualify for Hinge Health and confirm free coverage through your employer or benefit plan here.

This article and its contents are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or professional services specific to you or your medical condition.

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