How times change. Just a few years ago, our online searches may have included ‘long Covid,’ ‘isolation’ or ‘maskne'. Today, it’s more likely to be ‘Ozempic for weight loss’ or ’Ozempic face,’ both of which have exploded as people’s curiosity around the game-changing weight loss medication reaches breakout point.
So what exactly is ‘Ozempic face’? Whether you’re considering taking one of the three popular GLP-1 agonists which also include Mounjaro and Wegovy, or are already being prescribed the drug, the welcome news is that it is not a side effect, but rather the result of rapid weight loss on facial appearance, resulting in a gaunt looking face, and the possibility of wrinkling and sagging skin.
However, this doesn’t just occur when you are taking weight loss medication, it can happen to anyone who loses a noticeable amount of weight quickly. The most marked effects can be seen in the mid to lower face, including the fat pads and jawline. And while this does have a slimming effect, it can also be ageing.
While many health trends peter out as soon as they’ve peaked, this is one that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere for now. “The predicted uptake of GLP-1 receptor agonists, I believe, will see a significant increase over the coming years and fuel global sales,” shares Professor Syed Haq, Global KOL for IMAGE Skincare and VOL.U.LIFT. “This will be driven by a growing obesity epidemic, increased awareness and trust, a positive safety profile of the medication, new innovations with improved formulations and the potential of an oral formulation.
“Globally, it is predicted to rise to at least $150 billion by 2030, with this reaching a maximum by 2033,” Professor Haq continues. “Factors that will impact these global sales figures will relate to manufacturing capacity, cost of the medication, access and the long-term outcome and safety profiles, with the data for the latter already being collated.”
Here, Professor Haq gives us the lowdown on the causes of ‘Ozempic face’, and a potential solution in the form of the latest skincare technology.
What happens to the face when taking GLP-Receptor agonists?
The main changes that take place with chronic use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA), is the lean transformation of the body and face.
Notably in the face, we see uneven loss of facial mid face volume, with a hollowed appearance being evident around the mid-cheek and the eyes. The major reason for this is due to the rapid weight loss, which leads to depletion in both subcutaneous fat and the thinning of the hypodermis.
Skin laxity is another hallmark change in the face post GLP-1 RA, which is exacerbated by the reduced facial volume loss. The primary reason is due to a combination of dehydration with anability of the skin to maintain a positive humectant effect and decreased tissue density. This is particularly noticeable around the jawline and neck, thus leading to the creation of jowl prominence.
The density of tissue is significantly impacted for several reasons, including the loss of collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans which are ground substances that support tissue thickness.
When patients undergo weight loss, whether it be chronic and slowly progressive or rapid, ultimately it impacts the face and one’s appearance. The more rapid the rate of weight loss, the more significant the impact on tissue density — lowered nutritional, mineral and vitamin uptake as well as reduced caloric intake, compound the ability of tissue repair.
How does the targeted product VOL.U.LIFT address and treat these issues?
VOL.U.LIFT is a topical skincare product produced by IMAGE Skincare. The treatment is applied to the skin (the whole face) on a twice daily basis. After several weeks of use, VOL.U.LIFT is seen to address the facial volume loss and premature skin ageing associated with the GLP-1 RA medication.
VOL.U.LIFT significantly restores at least in part, some of the loss of facial volume, improves skin texture, skin thickness and reduces deep wrinkle formation.
One of the proprietary technologies used, XOSM, helps to deliver encapsulated antioxidants that repair and protect the natural skin barrier. Several key botanical ingredients work synergistically to target the structural foundation of skin, their component cells and key intracellular signallingpathways within the epidermis, dermis (fibroblasts) and hypodermis (adipocytes).