Managing rapid weight loss and “Ozempic face” with aesthetic treatments
This chapter examines the aesthetic effects of rapid weight loss, including facial volume loss and skin laxity often referred to as “Ozempic face.” It outlines the treatments that can support patients through these changes, such as collagen stimulators, fillers, energy-based devices and tailored skincare, while emphasising ethical communication, realistic expectations and patient-centred care.
As increasing numbers of patients turn to GLP-1 medications for weight management, aesthetic practitioners are seeing a corresponding rise in concerns around facial deflation, skin laxity and changes in body contour. These effects – popularly termed “Ozempic face” – are not new phenomena, but the speed and scale of GLP-1-driven weight loss has brought them sharply into focus.
This chapter explores the aesthetic implications of rapid fat reduction, outlines treatment approaches that can support patients holistically, and emphasises the importance of ethical communication when addressing these concerns.
While GLP-1 medications support significant metabolic benefits, the speed of weight reduction can accelerate visible changes to facial structure and skin quality. Pharmaceutical company Galderma’s latest research indicates:
45% of 1,000 respondents noticed facial changes within three to six months of starting weight-loss medication
Loose or sagging skin on the face and neck was the most commonly reported concern
Over 60% of patients expressed interest in combining medical and aesthetic support during their weight-loss journey
62% of GLP-1 users received aesthetic treatments upon the recommendation of a clinician
Global sales of prescription weight-loss drugs are projected to exceed $100 billion by 2030
These figures highlight how aesthetic considerations are becoming a routine part of weight-loss management, not an afterthought. Patients are noticing – and seeking help for – changes such as:
Hollowing in the mid-face
Loss of cheek volume
Jawline and neck laxity
More prominent lines or folds
Flattening or sagging of buttocks and breasts
Skin creping on the arms, abdomen or thighs
Rapid fat loss also reduces structural support within the dermis, affecting collagen density, elastin, hydration and overall skin resilience.
The term “Ozempic face” – although catchy – is a reductionist label for a broader physiological process. GLP-1 medications do not selectively target fat from any area; however, the face often shows changes first because:
Facial fat pads are small and highly visible
Even modest volume loss alters contour
Age-related collagen decline compounds the effect
Weight loss occurs faster than the skin can remodel
Subcutaneous fat in the face plays a major role in youthful structure
A more accurate description offered by experts is “rapid weight-loss–related facial volume loss.”
Aesthetic treatment pathways for patients experiencing facial or body changes
A thoughtful, staged approach is essential. Treatments should support, not overshadow, the patient’s weight-loss journey—and must be grounded in ethical discussion about expectations, risks and natural outcomes.
1. Collagen-stimulating injectables
These are frequently recommended as first-line interventions because they strengthen the skin from within and create subtle, natural improvement.
Common options:
Poly-L-lactic acid injectables (e.g., Sculptra)
Calcium hydroxyapatite (e.g., Radiesse)
Benefits:
Gradual improvement
Increased dermal thickness
Enhanced skin elasticity
Restores foundational support
2. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers
Fillers can replace mid-face and lower-face volume lost to rapid fat reduction.
Immediate contour restoration
Improved facial harmony
Useful for cheeks, chin, jawline and temples
Practitioners must adopt a conservative, staged approach to avoid overfilling—particularly when the patient’s weight is still fluctuating.
3. Skin-tightening devices
Energy-based devices play an important role in improving laxity and encouraging natural tissue repair as the skin adapts to a smaller frame.
Modalities include:
Radiofrequency (RF)
RF microneedling
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
Laser skin tightening
These treatments can be used across the face, neck and body to reduce creping and improve elasticity.
See Aesthetics Journal’s lower-face laxity feature for clinical protocols and Harley Academy’s article on treating Ozempic face.
4. Body contouring treatments
Following significant weight loss, patients may experience areas of residual fat, asymmetry or laxity. Helpful modalities include:
Body radiofrequency for tightening
EMsculpt-type devices to build muscle and shape
Skin boosters for crepe-like texture
Non-surgical lifting devices
These treatments should be positioned as complementary, not corrective.
5. Personalised skincare
Skincare remains a powerful adjunct. After rapid weight loss, the skin may benefit from:
Peptides and growth factors
Retinoids for collagen stimulation
Barrier-supporting moisturisers
Antioxidants for tone and resilience
Patients may have reduced nutrient intake while on GLP-1s; replenishing topical nourishment can support healthier skin function.
As with weight-loss services themselves, aesthetic treatments require careful, compassionate and transparent communication. Ethical considerations include:
Avoiding language that pathologises normal changes
Avoiding feeding into “size zero” or celebrity-driven ideals
Helping patients recognise the difference between healthy change and appearance anxiety
Explaining the natural physiology of weight loss
Screening for body dysmorphia or disordered eating before treatment
Encouraging patients to stabilise their weight before major interventions
Focusing on proportion, balance and wellbeing – not chasing a pre-weight-loss version of their face.
With over 60% of GLP-1 users now seeking aesthetic treatments as part of their journey, the future of weight management lies in integrated care. Practitioners must work within their scope, recognising when to:
Treat
Decline treatment
Refer to psychology, nutrition or medical colleagues
Adjust timing around weight stabilisation
Aesthetic medicine can support patients through this transition, but must never become a tool for masking psychological distress or fuelling unhealthy body ideals.
Key takeaway: Supporting patients after rapid weight loss requires holistic, ethical and clinically informed aesthetic care – working with their changing anatomy, not against it.
