What is Ozempic face’? A side effect of weight loss injections nobody wants

With 991.5M views on TikTok, the hashtag #Ozempic has gone viral — and for all the wrong reasons.

Ozempic is a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, which improves blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of major cardiovascular diseases. The Ozympic guidelines state that the drug – which is injected – ‘may help you lose weight’ but ‘is not for weight loss’.

While Ozympic is used to treat type 2 diabetes, Wegovi – another form of semaglutide under a different name – is used to treat ‘obese or overweight adults and those with weight-related medical conditions’, the website reads.

But here’s the problem: these drugs are being framed as a ‘quick fix’ for weight loss, which reinforces toxic attitudes around body image. And when taken without medical guidance, users can get into big trouble.

Weight loss pills aren’t bad things – one side effect colloquially known as ‘Ozempic face’ is a case in point. But what is it? And what are the risks of taking semaglutide incorrectly?

What is ‘Ozempic face’?

This phenomenon is indicative of sagging, aging and loss of facial skin and structure,’ explains Dr Adil Sheraz, dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation.

“The face has a layer of fat that tightens the skin. Ozempic causes rapid weight loss and is very effective. It actually causes the subcutaneous (under the skin) fat on the face to disappear faster,” said Dr. Sheraz.

‘However, excess skin cannot shrink at the same rate, resulting in sagging, sagging and a wrinkled appearance.’

New York dermatologist Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, who coined the phrase, told the New York Times that he started seeing Ozempic on his face ‘every day’ after these drugs hit the mainstream.

A 50-year-old patient walks in, and suddenly, she’s very skinny and needs fillers that she never needed before. I looked at her and said, ‘How long have you been at Ozympic?’ And I am 100 percent right,” he said.

However, it is important to emphasize that this is not exclusive to Ozympic. As Dr. Schraz explains, this change in facial appearance can occur with any type of rapid weight loss. However, this drug has recently caught the public’s attention when it was circulated in the media,’ he said.

‘Ozempic face’-like features can become more common with age. “Ozympic facials can be more of a concern in older people because aging reduces the collagen and elastin in our skin, reducing its ability to adapt,” says Dr. Sheraz.

Now, because the term ‘Ozempic face’ refers to off-brand use of the drug – that is, misuse by people who do not have type 2 diabetes but want to lose weight – Ozempic, the company that makes Novo Nordisk, could not comment on ‘Ozempic face’ specifically.

However, a spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘In terms of safety, adverse events are very common among people taking Ozympic.^®(semaglutide) is associated with gastrointestinal events including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

“Most events were transient, and mild or moderate in severity and resolved without permanent discontinuation of treatment.

Ozempic^® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only medicine indicated for the treatment of adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes in addition to diet and exercise (as monotherapy or in combination with other diabetes medications),” Novo Nordisk reiterated.

What are the dangers of taking weight loss drugs recreationally?

Taking semaglutide without medical guidance is not recommended, making the black market for weight loss injections a concern.

It can affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and can lead to changes in gut health or inflammation of the pancreas (also known as pancreatitis). In the short term, it can also cause hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), which in severe cases can lead to seizures.

“Often these types of products and the way they are marketed undermine people’s vulnerability and heighten expectations of looking like the ‘ideal’ shape or size,” explains nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert.

These products not only promote healthy eating habits, but can also lead to unhealthy eating habits. [but] They usually shop online, which can be dangerous because there is much less regulation when shopping over the Internet.

‘There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to our health and safety.’

MORE: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards opens up about ‘worrying’ Olympic rumors during weight loss: ‘I work really hard and it bothers me.’

MORE: Julia Fox recently admits to using Ozympic for weight loss: ‘I would never do that’

MORE: Sophie Turner clarifies her thoughts on weight loss drug Ozympic Crystal in a Blunt post.

Do you have a story to share?

Contact us by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.