What’s “Ozempic Face” (or Mounjaro Face) And What You Can Do About It
by Dr Caroline Warden NHS GP, cosmetic dermatology and aesthetic doctor in Hale, Cheshire
With more a more patients using mounjaro and other weight loss injections we’re hearing also of worried about getting ‘ozempic face’ or complaining of now having ‘mounjaro face’.
What is this? and what can you do if it happens?
This blog unpacks the language, evidence, causes, and how you can proactively protect your facial skin and volume, from an aesthetic medical vantage.
What is meant by “Ozempic face” (or “Mounjaro face”)?
The term “Ozempic face” emerged in social media and aesthetic-medicine circles to describe a look some people develop after rapid weight loss especially when using glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medications such as Ozempic (semaglutide) or Mounjaro (tirzepatide).
Typical features described include:
Sunken cheeks or temples, hollowing beneath the eyes.
More visible bone structure (cheekbones, jawline) and less “plumpness”.
Loose facial skin, jowling or sagging around the jaw and neck.
More visible fine lines or wrinkles, due to volume loss and reduced elasticity.
Why does it happen?
Rapid weight-loss = fat/volume loss in the face
When you lose a significant amount of weight, and especially so quickly, you also lose subcutaneous fat throughout the body, including the face. The mid-cheek region and central neck skin in particular show significant changes after massive weight loss.
For example, one study of massive weight loss (post-bariatric) found “fat devolumisation … and increased skin laxity” in the face.
Skin elasticity & volume deficits
When fat (and in some cases lean muscle/mass) is lost in the face, there’s less “padding” beneath the skin. Skin may struggle to shrink wrap around the new shape, especially if elasticity is reduced (which happens with age).
Also, the plastic-surgery literature suggests that because of this volume loss and laxity, the face may appear older prematurely.
The role of GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic/Mounjaro)
The medications themselves do not directly cause facial sagging: they cause weight loss, and the rapidity and magnitude of the weight loss is what drives the change. From the Harvard Health Publishing website: “You may have heard about ‘Ozempic face’ as a side effect of GLP-1 drugs … the rapid loss of fat in the face can cause … a hollowed look.”
Thus the major factors in why some people develop this are: how fast weight is lost, how much is lost, age (skin-elasticity reserve), baseline facial fat/muscle, lifestyle (nutrition, activity), and how well skin adapts.
Is it truly a thing? What does the evidence say?
Yes, changes in facial volume following significant weight loss are well supported in the literature. For example, a systematic review on GLP-1 receptor agonists concludes they
“can lead to exaggerated volume loss … resulting in advanced facial aging.”
Another review describes “Ozempic face” as an emerging aesthetic concern after GLP-1 use.
Why does it matter in an aesthetic-clinic context?
As an aesthetic practitioner, there are several implications:
Clients undergoing rapid weight loss (via whatever method, including GLP-1s) may present with facial volume loss, sagging or ageing that they find distressing.
If your skincare or injectable treatment plan does not account for this volume/laxity loss, you may get sub-optimal results or unexpected aesthetic outcomes.
For clients with sensitive skin or other skin-health issues (rosacea, eczema, as many of our patients in the Altrincham/Hale region present), the combination of skin barrier/elasticity deficit + volume loss is a double challenge.
Planning is key: It’s far easier to protect volume/skin/elasticity than to wholly reverse sagging/laxity once it’s established.
What you can do: prevention & management strategies
Here are practical steps to minimise the risk of “Ozempic/Mounjaro face” and optimise your facial-aesthetic outcome.
✅ Slow, steady weight loss
One of the strongest preventive measures is to avoid very rapid weight loss, if aesthetically feasible. According to the Cleveland Clinic: “The faster you lose weight, the more likely your face will show signs of the weight loss.”
Slower weight-loss allows skin and soft tissues more time to adapt and may preserve facial fullness/elasticity better.
✅ Nutrition: adequate protein and support for skin
Ensure you’re eating adequate high-quality protein; fat loss often includes some lean tissue, which in turn can affect facial muscles and support. One source notes 25-40% of the weight lost with GLP-1 drugs may be lean muscle mass.
Also consider nutrient support for skin: vitamin C, zinc, good hydration, and consistent skincare (e.g., gentle cleanser, barrier support, SPF) to bolster the skin’s resilience.
✅ Strength training and facial muscle tone
While less studied, preserving overall body lean mass via resistance training can help maintain facial structure indirectly. Maintaining body strength supports structural tone which may reflect in the face.
✅ Skincare + non-invasive aesthetic support
Use a consistent skincare routine: gentle but effective cleansing, replenishing moisturisers, barrier-support (especially important for our sensitive-skin clients).
Use daily broad-spectrum SPF (crucial).
Non-invasive treatments such as radio-frequency skin tightening or microneedling (with collagen stimulation) can help improve laxity. For example, one journal study described Endotissutal Bipolar RF as helpful to “counteract the detrimental aesthetic effects of rapid weight loss” including that associated with medications like semaglutide.
Dermal filler/skin-booster treatments: Once weight loss has stabilised, targeted volume restoration (cheeks, mid-face, temples) may be appropriate if sagging/hollowing is a concern.
✅ Plan aesthetic treatments with your clinician
If you are using or considering GLP-1 medication (or undergoing any rapid weight-loss protocol), it makes sense to liaise with your aesthetic clinician early on. They can help plan interventions (skincare, gentle volume support) and discuss timing (e.g., wait until weight stabilises before major injectables/volume restoration).
FAQs — Common questions & clear answers
Q: If I’m taking Ozempic or Mounjaro, will I definitely get “Ozempic face”?
A: No. Getting the appearance changes depends on multiple factors (rate of weight loss, age, skin-elasticity, facial fat/muscle reserve, lifestyle). The medications themselves don’t directly cause it, it’s the rapid volume loss that does.
Q: I’m worried—I’ve already lost quite a bit quickly. Is it too late to prevent facial changes?
A: Not necessarily. While you can’t undo all loss, you can still slow further changes (by adopting slower weight-loss pace if possible), implement the skincare/volume-support steps above, and work with your clinician to plan corrective aesthetic treatments when appropriate.
Q: Does this mean I shouldn’t use these medications if I care about my appearance?
A: Not at all. These medications may have significant health benefits (weight-loss, improved metabolic parameters). But if aesthetic-outcome is a key concern (especially facial volume/appearance), it’s wise to discuss the risks & mitigation with both your prescribing clinician and your aesthetic specialist.
Q: What aesthetic treatments do you offer at the clinic for this scenario?
A: At our practice we can assess for volume-loss, skin-laxity or hollowing and offer options such as dermal fillers, skin-boosters, collagen-stimulating microneedling, RF skin-tightening, and tailored skincare programmes—all designed for sensitive/compromised skin (e.g., rosacea, eczema).
Q: How long should I wait before doing filler/volume treatments after weight loss?
A: Best practice is to wait until weight has plateaued and you’re in a stable phase, so the filler/volume treatment can be optimised and maintained. Your clinician can advise timing based on your individual course.
Final thoughts
In summary: yes, the phenomenon commonly dubbed “Ozempic face” is real in the sense that rapid weight/volume loss frequently leads to facial hollowing, sagging, and premature ageing appearance. But it’s not a mysterious new side-effect unique to one drug, it’s a consequence of how our facial soft tissues cope (or sometimes struggle) with rapid change.
For clients at our clinic (especially those with sensitive skin, needing volume support, or pursuing an aesthetic-driven skin health journey), the message is: we need to think beyond “just weight loss”. We need to integrate volume/skin support, nutrition/skin hygiene, and treatment timing into your plan.
If you’re currently taking or considering GLP-1 therapy, or have recently lost substantial weight, let’s have a bespoke consultation. We can assess your facial volume & skin status, tailor a plan to protect your aesthetic results (and skin health) and work toward an outcome that aligns both with your health and your appearance goals.
Book now for a consultation
Dr Caroline Warden is an experienced NHS GP and aesthetic doctor. She has been a medical doctor for over 18 years. Her main Skin and Aesthetic Clinic is located in Hale, Cheshire but she also runs clinic in Disley, Stockport.
Whether you're new to aesthetic treatments or ready to refine your routine, her bespoke skin assessments are the best place to start. She’ll design a tailored plan based on your skin goals, lifestyle, and timeline.
Book your consultation at the clinic in Hale, Cheshire and experience aesthetic medicine.
You’ll be guided through your medical history, goals, and expectations so you can make an informed choice.
Our main Hale clinic is local To:
Alderley Edge, Altrincham, Bowdon, Bramhall, Hale Barns, Knutsford, Manchester, Mobberley, Sale, Timperley, Urmston, Wilmslow, Handforth, Poynton, Cheadle, Didsbury, Warrington
Our satellite Disley clinic on Thursday nights at Scott, Skin & Co, is local to:
New Mills, High Lane, Marple, Mellor, Whaley Bridge, Hayfield, Stockport
