"Ozempic Face" and Facial Aging.

The widespread adoption of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists has introduced a growing clinical challenge for dermatologists and cosmetic practitioners: managing the facial changes associated with rapid weight loss. The term "Ozempic face" has entered popular vocabulary to describe the appearance of accelerated facial aging in patients on these medications, characterized by volume deflation, skin laxity, and loss of structural support. This review examines the anatomical and histological basis of these changes, with attention to the roles of dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT), skeletal remodeling, and sarcopenia. We discuss the clinical presentation of weight-loss-associated facial change and outline a practical framework for patient assessment and counseling. The timing and sequencing of interventions across the weight loss journey are addressed, with emphasis on a health-first approach that prioritizes tissue preservation. As GLP-1 receptor agonists expand into new therapeutic indications, including inflammatory skin diseases, dermatology clinicians are uniquely positioned to counsel and manage patients experiencing these changes.

Abstract from PubMed