Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, is widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes and has gained immense popularity as a weight loss treatment. Celebrity endorsements and social media buzz have fueled unprecedented demand. Dramatic before-and-after pictures have drawn further attention to semaglutide as a weight loss tool. While effective in lowering blood sugar and supporting weight reduction, its rapid fat-loss effect can cause unwanted cosmetic changes. Patients and clinicians now use the phrase “Ozempic face” to describe premature facial aging due to fat loss.

As non-diabetic patients increasingly turn to semaglutide for cosmetic weight loss, concern grows about its unintended impact on facial aesthetics.

A Growing Trend in Semaglutide Use

Between 2020 and 2022, prescriptions for Ozempic, Wegovy, and related GLP-1 agonists increased by 300%, with more than 9 million prescriptions written in the last quarter of 2022.

Initially approved in 2017 to treat type 2 diabetes, these injectable drugs quickly gained popularity as weight loss tools after celebrity endorsements. The surge in prescriptions has led to more patients reporting rapid changes in facial appearance – the hallmark of “Ozempic face.” Commonly reported features include:

Loss of facial fat and volume

Sunken eyes and hollow cheeks

Wrinkles and skin sagging

Altered contours of the lips, chin, and jawline

While the term is not an official medical diagnosis, it reflects a genuine patient experience. The loss of subcutaneous fat and skin elasticity alters facial proportions, sometimes making individuals appear much older than their chronological age.

Case Reports Discovered by DrugCard

DrugCard’s literature monitoring revealed several documented cases of ‘Ozempic face’ in one article, highlighting the issue beyond media anecdotes.

A 54-year-old woman began Ozempic therapy after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes two months earlier. She was only slightly overweight and was generally satisfied with her appearance.

After three months of treatment, she reported significant changes: her cheeks appeared sunken, her face looked tired, and she described herself as “prematurely aged.” The psychological impact of these cosmetic changes outweighed the satisfaction of her weight loss.

Another case involved a 52-year-old woman who had been taking semaglutide for eight months. Although not obese before treatment, she noticed progressive aging signs during therapy.

Clinical evaluation revealed a pronounced nasolabial fold, deep labiomental crease, and laxity of the soft tissues in the neck region. These features made her appear older than before treatment, raising concerns about continuing semaglutide therapy despite its metabolic benefits.

Managing “Ozempic Face” – What Can Be Done?

The medical community has started exploring solutions for patients distressed by these facial changes.

One promising approach involves subdermal bipolar radiofrequency (Endotissutal Bipolar Radiofrequency). In a case series of 24 patients (19 women and 5 men, aged 27–65) treated between 2023 and 2024, all were followed for at least 12 months, and most reported high satisfaction with their outcomes (≥8/10). Independent experts confirmed the stability and effectiveness of the results, while the only observed adverse event was temporary skin redness.

This suggests that radiofrequency treatment could be a safe, cost-effective, and low-risk option for improving aesthetic outcomes in patients with an “Ozempic face.”

Other management strategies include:

• Encouraging gradual weight loss to minimise rapid fat depletion.

• Supporting skin health with hydration, nutrition, and protein intake.

• Considering dermatological or cosmetic interventions in severe cases.

Monitoring Ozempic Face in Pharmacovigilance

At first glance, “Ozempic face” may appear to be a cosmetic rather than a safety concern. Yet, for pharmacovigilance specialists, it raises several important considerations:

Patient adherence: Some patients discontinue semaglutide due to dissatisfaction with appearance, which can compromise diabetes or weight management.

Signal detection: Media-driven terms often uncover real effects overlooked in spontaneous reporting systems.

Quality of life: Cosmetic side effects may significantly affect mental health and self-esteem, which are part of patient safety.

By including such findings in medical literature monitoring, DrugCard ensures that clinical and aesthetic impacts are tracked, analysed, and communicated.

Conclusion

“Ozempic face” is not just a viral phrase. It highlights the complex interplay between medical success and patient satisfaction. While semaglutide offers clear metabolic benefits, its unintended aesthetic consequences should not be underestimated.

Awareness of this phenomenon is crucial for clinicians to manage patient expectations and provide holistic care. For pharmacovigilance, it demonstrates the need to capture and analyse all aspects of drug safety, from life-threatening events to appearance-related outcomes.

As the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists continues to grow worldwide, early recognition and discussion of terms like “Ozempic face” will help ensure patients are both healthier and happier with their treatments.