Weight loss injections in Atlanta, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, are all the rage these days. Seems like everyone is hopping on the GLP-1 injection train. While these drugs are helping many people lose excess fat and improve their health, there can be downsides to treatment. One such downside is that the medication can work a little too well. What that means is weight loss can happen a little too rapidly, leading to some unwanted changes in your skin.
Perhaps you’ve heard a new term floating around these days – “Ozempic face.” This refers to faster-than-normal weight loss that inadvertently results in a sunken, sagging appearance of the skin, particularly the face. In this article, we will examine this unwanted side effect and discuss some effective treatment options that can help you enjoy your weight loss while maintaining a youthful appearance.
What exactly is “Ozempic face?”
The term refers to the changes in the face that can happen with rapid weight loss associated with GLP-1 injections. Ozempic® and Wegovy® are a brand names of semaglutide. Tirzepatide is marketed under the names Zepbound® and Mounjaro®, so the term can be interchangeable with any of these medications. Regardless of what you call it, Ozempic face is characterized by sunken cheeks, deeper wrinkles, and loose skin on the face and neck.
It’s not a side effect of the medication itself, but rather of the rapid weight loss it can lead to. This term first became popular on social media after a celebrity dermatologist used it to refer to the way Ozempic affected some of his patients. It’s not a medical term, however, and not limited to taking Ozempic exclusively. Fortunately, there are certain cosmetic treatments available that can combat the effects of sagging.
What are the best treatment options to prevent/treat sagging skin from weight loss?
While there are several options available that can provide a degree of benefit, we’ve narrowed down our favorites at Atlanta Face & Body that offer truly impactful results. There are nonsurgical options for a mild to moderate degree of sagging, as well as a couple of surgical options for more advanced laxity. Let’s start with nonsurgical.
Nonsurgical:
Morpheus8 RF Microneedling – Morpheus8 is a minimally invasive microneedling device that utilizes radiofrequency energy to revitalize the skin of the face and body. As the first and only FDA-cleared technology to provide deep 8mm subdermal adipose tissue remodeling, this treatment penetrates the deeper layers of the skin and fat to rev up collagen and elastin production. It’s those natural proteins that help promote a smoother, tighter appearance and alleviate sagging.
Dermal Fillers – Fillers are one of our major go-to treatments for replenishing lost volume from rapid weight loss. They’re great for smoothing out lines and wrinkles and even contouring and enhancing the features of your face. They work by literally filling in the skin to create a smoothing effect. Most fillers on the market contain hyaluronic acid as the primary component, a naturally occurring substance that has an amazing ability to hold much more than its weight in water. Therefore, it adds both fullness and hydration when present in the skin. Fillers also help boost collagen production, which can provide long-term results in many cases.
Ultherapy® – Ultherapy is a powerhouse collagen stimulator and one of the best nonsurgical options to address facial and neck sagging. This innovative device delivers microfocused ultrasound energy to the same foundation layer underneath the skin that’s typically tightened during surgical facelifts. The ultrasound energy triggers a natural response, jumpstarting the regenerative process that kicks collagen production into high gear and results in natural-looking lifting and tightening. While Ultherapy won’t duplicate the more dramatic results of a full surgical facelift, it is a clinically proven alternative that’s safe for all skin types.
Surgical:
Fat Transfer to Face – As we age, the fat in the cheeks diminishes and shifts downward, creating a hollow, sunken appearance and eventual jowling along the jawline. Rapid weight loss can accelerate these effects. By harvesting fat from your own body, Dr. Elizabeth Whitaker can restore a youthful inverted “triangle” shape to the face and alleviate sagging. During the procedure, fat cells are removed from undesirable areas (such as the hips, buttocks, abdomen, or thighs) and transferred to the area of the face where a fuller appearance is desired. It can be a great option to produce noticeable improvement for lost volume.
Dr. Elizabeth’s Signature Lift™ (Facelift) – When the degree of sagging from weight loss injections in Atlanta is too pronounced for less invasive measures, the Signature Lift (Facelift) may be the best option to consider. This innovative technique provides a less invasive path to a more youthful appearance for men and women of varying ages. Though it’s a surgical procedure, Dr. Elizabeth Whitaker combines aspects of her training in deep plane facelift and SMAS techniques to customize a lift that is less invasive compared to more traditional facelift surgery.
Through the Signature Lift, Dr. Elizabeth helps her patients achieve a more natural-looking, refreshed appearance, as opposed to an “overdone” look associated with some facelift techniques of the past. In addition, the less invasive approach of the Signature Lift often leads to a faster, enhanced recovery. So, if advanced sagging from rapid weight loss has taken hold, this procedure may be just what the doctor ordered to regain a tighter appearance while still relishing in your slimmer waistline.
Your next step to facial rejuvenation happens at Atlanta Face & Body.
Weight loss can be a great thing, even if it causes unwanted sagging. But who says you can’t enjoy better health AND maintain a youthful appearance? That’s where Dr. Elizabeth and her team come in! Call Atlanta Face & Body at (678) 888-3223 or Click Here to schedule a private consultation today.
