What Is Ozempic Face? Just Plastic Surgery Presents Solutions!

Why do I suddenly look older even though I’ve lost weight?

Hello, I’m Director Im Seong-yun.

Recently, many more people have started using GLP-1 obesity treatments such as Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy.

Because these treatments are highly effective for weight loss, they can also benefit overall health and have positive effects on blood sugar control and metabolic health. I believe they will continue to be widely used in the future.

However, many people find themselves concerned even after losing a satisfying amount of weight:

“Why does my face look so old?”

“My nasolabial folds suddenly look much deeper.”

“People tell me I look tired.”

This phenomenon is commonly referred to as “Ozempic Face.”

What Is Ozempic Face?

Ozempic itself does not make the face look older. This is a natural change that occurs because facial fat decreases along with rapid weight loss.

In particular, after your 40s, facial fat naturally begins to decrease little by little. When short-term weight loss is added to this process, the loss of facial volume can become more noticeable.

Typical changes include:

The front cheeks may look hollow,

The side cheeks may appear flatter,

The nasolabial folds may become deeper,

The corners of the mouth may appear drooped,

The face may look longer,

And overall, the face may give a tired and older impression.

In other words,

You lose weight, but your face may end up looking older instead.

The front cheeks are especially important.

The area where I most often notice changes during consultations is the loss of volume in the front cheeks.

As the front cheeks begin to hollow, the nasolabial folds often deepen, the midface can appear longer, the cheekbones may look more prominent, and the corners of the mouth may also appear to droop.

For this reason, rather than simply filling the nasolabial folds, considering both front-cheek volume and lifting can produce a much more natural result.

Weight loss is still important. I actively recommend weight loss itself. It is beneficial for your health and joints and can help prevent conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

However, after your 40s, rapid weight loss can make facial aging feel more pronounced. Therefore, it is important to manage facial volume and elasticity around the period when you are losing weight.

Preparing in advance can help you maintain a much younger and healthier appearance while reducing your weight.

What Treatments May Help?

The appropriate approach may vary depending on the condition of the face, but I frequently use the following methods.

Peach Silhouette and Triple Egg Lifting—before and after treatment

Peach Silhouette Lifting—before and after treatment

① Peach Silhouette Lifting

It gently lifts the front cheeks upward,

helping to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds

and creating the impression of a shorter midface.

Forehead and side-cheek filler—before and after treatment

② Soft Filler

Adding an appropriate amount of volume only where needed

can naturally restore a hollow-looking face.

It is important to restore the volume that was originally there

rather than overfilling.

(From left) Hilo Wave, Thermage, and Ellansé

③ Hilo Wave (HA)

Using hyaluronic acid (HA), this treatment may help increase the skin’s moisture and elasticity while adding natural-looking volume. It may be a good option for reducing the appearance of a face that suddenly seems dry and depleted.

④ Thermage

It can help improve skin laxity after rapid weight loss. Because it helps firm the skin, it is often associated with high satisfaction when performed together with volume treatments.

⑤ Fat Grafting

When the loss of volume is substantial, more fundamental volume restoration may be considered through autologous fat grafting.

⑥ Ellansé

Because it induces collagen production while creating natural-looking volume, performing it together with cord lifting may help improve the three-dimensional appearance and elasticity of the face at the same time.

Preparing in advance is the best treatment.

Rather than waiting until Ozempic Face becomes pronounced, managing your face before or during weight loss can lead to a much more natural and satisfying result.

I believe the best result is losing weight while hearing people around you say,

“You look younger.”

I experienced it myself.

I also recently lost weight and received treatments in advance to prepare for facial changes.

Peach Silhouette Lifting

Under-eye Rituo, 2 cc

Front-cheek and side-cheek Rituo, 5 cc

Side-cheek filler, 2 cc

I received these treatments, and personally, I was quite satisfied with the results.

Left) Before treatment / Right) After treatment

As my facial volume returned naturally, the tired appearance was reduced. Although I had lost weight, my face looked much more vibrant.

I also received hyperbaric oxygen therapy and participated in the NAD program. My body felt noticeably refreshed, but above all, I personally felt that the swelling subsided much more quickly.

Of course, this is my personal experience, and results may vary from person to person. However, I believe that combining weight loss with recovery care may help improve overall satisfaction.

Conclusion

Weight loss is often essential for health. However, the face is an important factor in determining your first impression, just as important as your health.

After your 40s, rather than simply losing weight, planning facial volume restoration and lifting together is a much more natural way to achieve a younger-looking result.

Ozempic Face is not necessarily an unavoidable side effect. It is a change that can be sufficiently prevented and improved when you prepare in advance. If you are planning to lose weight, I recommend preparing your face as well.