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In brief:
Ozempic face is a gradual loss of subcutaneous fat and skin firmness that happens when weight drops quickly. The skin’s underlying scaffolding weakens, revealing more of the bone structure and reducing the soft, youthful contour of the face.
During weight loss, facial fat doesn’t disappear evenly. Some fat pads are more metabolically active and shrink faster than others, which leads to uneven contour changes.
Fat pads close to the skin, like those around the temples, under the eyes and in the cheeks, tend to reduce volume early. Deeper pads such as those in the midface and beneath the muscle layers hold their structure longer. As the upper and central fat pads shrink while the lower ones stay, the face can lose support. This creates hollows, folds and jowls, which is why the face can look older rather than just slimmer during rapid weight loss.
Multiple factors can contribute to Ozempic face and its trademark facial contour changes including:
When body fat reduces quickly, the fat pads that support facial structure can shrink at different rates. The skin often can’t contract fast enough to match the new volume, and deeper ligaments become more visible. This can exaggerate folds and shadows around the mouth, temples and jawline. The result is a leaner but more tired or aged appearance until the skin and underlying tissue adapt.
Recent medical research supports this: “A 2025 systematic review found no evidence that GLP-1 therapies [including Ozempic] uniquely target facial fat; the ‘gaunt’ look reflects rapid weight loss outpacing collagen remodelling, with superficial pads deflating before deeper ones.”
How Common Is It?
This change is common in people who lose weight quickly or lose more than ten percent of their body weight. It’s more noticeable after age 35, or in those with naturally lean faces. We see it frequently enough that prevention and management are part of our standard weight-loss consultation at Contour Clinics.
Ozempic face is a common concern we treat at Contour Clinics. Founder and Medical Director, Dr Josh Wall, explains what our practitioners are observing in-clinic.
“We see this weekly across our clinics, usually after the first couple of months of a weight-loss program. The most common pattern is hollowing around the temples and midface, followed by sagging along the jawline.”
“Leaner is great, but older isn’t the goal. We plan for this from the start with nutrition, training and staged skin treatments so patients look healthy and refreshed at every stage of their transformation.”
If you’re trying to avoid Ozempic face, these are some risk factors to be aware of:
For people aiming to prevent Ozempic face, there are some prevention strategies that can help, depending on your risk factors and individual circumstances.
As well as these strategies, there are other vital things to consider to avoid Ozempic face in your weight loss journey.
Avoid overfilling the face during active weight loss – it’s better to treat strategically once your weight stabilises.
Focus first on skin quality and collagen stimulation before replacing volume.
Align treatment timing with your medical or nutritional plan.
Remember, the best results usually come three to six months after weight stabilisation, so be prepared to be strategic and patient.
Depending on your individual needs, goals and medical history, there are several non-surgical Ozempic face treatment options that may work for you. Each has different results, risks and requirements, so we recommend you consult with a qualified medical professional to determine the most suitable treatment for you.
Volume Replacement
Restores volume and structure where fat loss is most visible, such as the cheeks, temples and jawline.
Collagen-Stimulating Treatments
Rebuilding lost collagen can give you longer-term lift and firmness.
Skin Tightening Treatments
RF Microneedling (Morpheus8) uses concentrated radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen and firm lax skin.
Fractional Laser
Improves fine lines, texture and skin contraction. Depending on the degree of skin laxity, ablative (Co2) or non-ablative 1540 fractional laser can help.
Combined Approach
At Contour Clinics, we often combine treatments for the best results. A multi-faceted approach can be the most effective treatment for Ozempic face.
First, undergo skin tightening and collagen stimulation.
Once tissues have rebuilt, adopt volume restoration.
Lastly, create sustainable ongoing skincare and nutrition plans – these are key to maintaining results. Keeping your skin hydrated and its barrier strong is especially important during rapid weight loss. We recommend The Ilumae Quartet, which combines collagen-stimulating peptides, ceramides to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, niacinamide to soothe and repair, and hyaluronic acid to keep the skin nourished and resilient as it adapts to change.
If you notice hollowing at the temples, flattening of the cheeks, or sagging that persists after several weeks of stable weight, it’s time for an assessment.
Every face responds differently to weight change. The best results come from a personalised plan that considers your weight-loss rate, facial structure and lifestyle. Our team maps your face dynamically with 3D imaging, designs a safe and staged approach, and ensures natural, balanced outcomes at every step.
Note: Individual outcomes can vary widely. A thorough consultation with a qualified healthcare provider is essential to determine suitability and discuss realistic expectations of treatment outcomes.
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