Semaglutide, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have changed how we manage and chronic weight in America. I truly believe this will improve the overall life expectancy and quality of life for our patients over the next several decades. However, in the short-term we want to look as good on the outside as we now feel on the inside. Here are some options for facial rejuvenation after weight loss, the Ozempic face.
Ozempic face typically refers to volume loss in the face and then skin laxity of the face and neck from this rapid weight loss. These changes are not unique to Ozempic as they can occur with any rapid weight loss whether it is from bariatric surgery, semaglutide or lifestyle changes. The way we treat volume loss and skin laxity depends on the degree of both these issues. Fortunately, the majority of our patients can be treated with a combination of non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments such as facial fillers and radio-frequency skin tightening devices.
Skin tightening options after weight loss are numerous and we will cover some of the most common and most effective.
Options include:
- RF micro-needling
- Vivace
- Morpheus 8
- Radio Frequency Energy
- Renuvion (J-Plasma)
- Body-tite
- Ultrasound
- Ultherapy
- Softwave
- MyEllevate
- Suture Suspension system
- Face and Neck Lift
Radio-frequency treatments have been one of the hottest topics in skin rejuvenation over the past several years as they can tighten the skin with minimal downtime. Within the class of radio-frequency treatments there are a couple options. For patient seeking in office procedures, RF microneedling such as Vivace and Morpheus 8 have become one of the most popular treatments available. The combination of microneedling and RF energy allows for skin resurfacing while also tightening the skin in the face and neck area. Renuvion is another radio frequency device that is done under the skin for patients with a greater degree of skin laxity. Renuvion (J-Plasma) is applied completely under the skin and can be performed in combination with liposuction or as an isolated procedure.
MyEllevate has become an interesting treatment especially in the setting of the Ozempic face and weight loss revolution. In the past, we looked at facial rejuvenation in the context of the aging face and that has changed dramatically. As we are treating younger patients with isolated skin laxity in the neck area, many of them are not ready or do not want a full neck lift. MyEllevate is a great option for patients that have too much loose skin to be treated with radio-frequency energy alone, though it is often done in combination. The concept behind MyEllevate in the Ozempic Face or post weight loss face is that it can release the neck bands that are typically visible, then it actually suspends the skin can muscles of the neck to the strong structures behind the ear similar to a neck lift. The beauty of MyEllevate is the light guided system that allows the procedure to be done with minimal incisions and thus leads to minimal to no visible scarring.
Patients that have a significant amount of excess skin in the neck and lower face may be best served with a face and neck lift as this will have the most profound impact in removing excess skin and shaping the neck and face. There are various types of face and neck lifts depending on your specific needs.
Volume Loss in the Ozempic Face or after weight loss:
- Facial Fillers
- RHA
- Juvederm Voluma
- Lyft
- Radiesse
- Sculptra
- Collagen Stimulation
- Fat Transfer
In patients that have lost a significant amount of weight from semaglutide treatments such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro may also have volume depletion in their face as this is often one of the first places that we lose weight and volume. There are several ways to restore the volume in your face to give you a youthful and healthy appearance without appearing overfilled.
Hyluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm Voluma and RHA have been one of the mainstays for volume replenishment in the face for years as they can help contour the cheek bones and jawline. The products last anywhere from 6 – 18 months depending on the specific product and placement location. They can help sculpt and lift the face without surgery, thus it is often referred to as a liquid facelift. The Liquid facelift can reposition the soft tissues of the face to give you that healthy natural appearance in your face.
Sculptra is an injectable that has been around for years, but it will be one of the hottest products in 2023 as it is ideal for restoring generalized volume to the face. It has the unique property of stimulating the body to create its own collagen. This collagen stimulation helps improve the texture of the skin and restore natural volume to face. The product is mixed into a liquid solution that can be very precisely and evenly distributed throughout the face. This is a great option for patients wanting a natural enhancement to their face after weight loss.
Combination Therapy
We have discussed treatments for both volume loss and skin laxity as most patients that have significant weight loss will have both of these to some degree. Depending on an individuals age, amount of weight loss and skin tone these two items can be affected at various levels. It is important to remember that you need to address both of these issues to reach your aesthetic goal. Discuss with your provider your overall goal as often these treatments need to be timed appropriately and in the correct order.
Your aesthetic provider will help guide you on your facial rejuvenation journey after weight loss. Please keep in mind it is typically a process! Call our team now to learn more.
