Combat “Ozempic Face” With Advanced Skin-Tightening Treatments at U Laser Med Spa
Losing weight is a transformative journey filled with challenges and triumphs. However, for those using semaglutide, rapid weight loss can come with unexpected side effects like “Ozempic face,” where facial fat loss leads to sagging skin and a more aged appearance.
At U Laser Med Spa, we understand the importance of looking as good as you feel. Our team of experts is dedicated to helping you combat the unwanted side effects of rapid weight loss with advanced, noninvasive treatments like Potenza microneedling. By restoring your skin’s youthful contours and firmness, we help you achieve a refreshed and revitalized appearance without the need for surgery. Discover how our treatment options can enhance your weight loss journey, ensuring that you not only reach your goals but also maintain a radiant and confident look.
What Is “Ozempic Face?”
Weight loss drugs like semaglutide (brand names: Ozempic and Wegovy) are sweeping the nation, helping countless people shed unwanted pounds. They work by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which regulates blood sugar, reduces appetite and produces feelings of fullness. Semaglutide is popular because it works, leading to impressive weight loss results. However, this can cause unwanted side effects that some patients might experience.
One such side effect has been coined “Ozempic face,” a term used to describe the changes in facial appearance that can occur after significant weight loss. When we lose weight, it doesn’t always come off in areas that we’d like — and losing too much fat in the face too quickly can cause loose skin, volume loss and a generally older or gaunt appearance.
Here’s a look at how substantial weight loss can show in the face:
- Rapid Fat Loss: Losing weight quickly can reduce facial fat, which provides the face with support and contributes to a plump, youthful appearance. In the face, fat loss is particularly noticeable because the skin is thinner and more delicate.
- Skin Elasticity: Our skin has a remarkable ability to stretch and contract, but it relies on collagen and elastin fibers to maintain its shape. With age, it’s harder for the skin to bounce back after weight loss, causing the face to appear saggier than usual.
- Facial Volume Loss: With weight loss, the face can lose its youthful fullness, leading to hollow cheeks, prominent wrinkles and a tired appearance. This is exacerbated by the natural aging process, which already reduces facial fat and skin elasticity over time.
- Changes in Facial Contours: The overall structure of the face also changes with age, causing wrinkles and sagging to become more pronounced in areas like the cheeks, jawline and eyes. This can lead to a gaunt or hollowed-out appearance, which many find distressing after their weight loss success.
Recognizing these challenges, it’s essential to explore solutions that can address the effects of rapid weight loss. Nonsurgical skin-tightening treatments can restore your contours, helping you enjoy your weight loss results without compromising your facial aesthetics.
Can Facial Side Effects Be Prevented?
If you’re taking semaglutide for weight loss, it may not be entirely possible to prevent all facial side effects associated with treatment. However, there are some strategies for minimizing their impact and maintaining a youthful appearance. Some proactive steps you can take include:
- Losing weight gradually — this allows your skin more time to adjust to the changes in your body. Many experts recommend aiming for a steady rate of 1-2 pounds per week.
- Staying hydrated is crucial for supporting your skin and your weight loss goals, helping to maintain elasticity and prevent other concerns like dryness or flakiness.
- Establishing a good skin care routine that includes ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinoids and peptides can improve skin texture and hydration. Sunscreen is also vital for protecting your skin from UV damage, which can exacerbate the signs of aging.
- Consult with a specialist before beginning your weight loss journey — this can ensure that your treatment plan results in safe, effective and sustainable weight loss.
Incorporating these strategies into your weight loss plan can mitigate some of the side effects you may experience and help you maintain a youthful appearance. Combining preventive measures with professional treatments can also offer a comprehensive approach to achieving your aesthetic goals.
Facial Skin Tightening With Potenza™
Potenza is an FDA-approved, noninvasive skin-tightening treatment that combines advanced radiofrequency (RF) technology and microneedling to restore more youthful facial contours. It is specifically designed to increase collagen production deep within the skin, creating a smoother, firmer appearance. This innovative treatment offers a unique combination of safety, effectiveness and convenience, making it an excellent option for patients seeking to reduce skin laxity after significant weight loss without the need for invasive surgery.
How It Works
Potenza uses tiny needles to penetrate the skin and create micro-injuries that trigger the body’s natural healing process. At the same time, RF energy gently heats the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production, firming and tightening the skin from within. Collagen diminishes as we age, but Potenza builds new collagen fibers to restore the skin’s youthful structure.
The Procedure
Potenza is a comfortable, nonsurgical treatment that requires little to no downtime. During your appointment, a topical anesthetic is first applied to the treatment area, and then the device’s handpiece is stamped across the skin. You’ll feel some warmth and mild discomfort as the microneedles and RF energy work to increase collagen production, but this is well-tolerated by most patients. Treatment takes about 45-60 minutes to complete, after which you’ll be able to return home and immediately resume your normal routine without activity restrictions.
Your Results
Unlike some treatments that provide immediate but short-lived results, Potenza promotes gradual skin tightening over several weeks. As the newly produced collagen rebuilds the skin’s structure, you’ll notice a continuous improvement in skin tightness, texture and overall appearance. Results can last up to six months or more, depending on individual factors.
Other Treatment Options at U Laser Med Spa
While Potenza RF microneedling is an excellent choice for noninvasive skin tightening and rejuvenation, there are other treatments available that can also address the facial changes associated with semaglutide and rapid weight loss, such as injectable dermal fillers. A popular and effective solution for restoring lost volume, dermal fillers can plump up hollow cheeks and enhance your facial contours, providing immediate results with minimal downtime.
Additionally, treatments like Pellevé and laser skin resurfacing can further improve skin texture and elasticity, promoting a youthful and refreshed appearance. At U Laser Med Spa, our team of experts can help you choose the best combination of treatments for combating Ozempic face.
What About Loose Skin on the Body?
While facial treatments like Potenza and dermal fillers effectively address skin laxity and volume loss in the face, many individuals also struggle with loose skin on other parts of the body after significant weight loss. At Umansky Plastic Surgery — our affiliated plastic surgery practice run by Drs. Jeffrey and William Umansky — we offer comprehensive solutions for body contouring and skin tightening to help you achieve your desired look from head to toe.
For those with stubborn fat pockets and loose skin, surgical treatments like SmartLipo are an excellent option. SmartLipo is a minimally invasive procedure that uses laser-assisted liposuction to eliminate unwanted fat and simultaneously tighten the skin. The laser energy not only melts away fat but also stimulates the production of new collagen, firming and toning treated areas. This dual-action approach makes SmartLipo particularly effective for areas like the abdomen, thighs, arms, and flanks, where traditional weight loss methods may fall short.
In addition to SmartLipo, our plastic surgery office offers tummy tucks for individuals with significant loose skin and muscle laxity in the abdominal area. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, involves removing stubborn fat and loose skin and tightening the underlying muscles to create a smoother, more contoured mid-section. This procedure is ideal for those who have achieved substantial weight loss and are left with loose skin that cannot be addressed with nonsurgical methods.
By combining facial rejuvenation treatments at U Laser Med Spa with body contouring procedures from our plastic surgery office, you can address all aspects of skin laxity after weight loss. Whether you’re dealing with “Ozempic face” or sagging skin on the arms or tummy, we have the expertise and advanced treatments to help you look and feel your best.
Restore Your Confidence Today
Ready to reclaim a youthful appearance and enjoy the full benefits of your weight loss journey? At U Laser Med Spa and Umansky Plastic Surgery, we offer a number of cutting-edge treatments to address the effects of rapid weight loss on your skin. Whether you’re concerned about “Ozempic face” or loose skin on your body, our team of experienced professionals is here to help you achieve your goals. Get started by calling our La Jolla office at 858-281-4560 or completing our online contact form to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a more confident, rejuvenated you.