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Weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are gaining popularity, but there’s a growing concern about their potential to cause loose or sagging skin, leading to the trend of terms like “Ozempic face” and “Ozempic butt.”
These medications can result in rapid weight loss, causing the skin on the face, buttocks, and other areas to appear wrinkly or loose due to reduced fat tissue.
Andrew Kraftson, MD, an expert in endocrinology, explains that weight loss interventions lead to the intended consequence of fat tissue reduction, leaving less tissue for the skin to cover, resulting in a saggy appearance.
Experts address whether this effect is dangerous, when it may occur, and how to manage it as an unwanted “side effect” of weight loss.
Skin Changes After Weight Loss
The issue of loose or sagging skin, dubbed “Ozempic face” or “Ozempic butt,” is associated with weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.
- Ozempic (semaglutide): FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes
- Wegovy (semaglutide): FDA-approved to treat overweight and obesity
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide): FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes (used off-label for weight loss)
These medications stimulate insulin release, delay gastric emptying, and promote weight loss. Despite their health benefits, rapid weight loss can lead to sagging skin due to factors like skin elasticity, age, genetics, and collagen levels.
The phenomenon is more pronounced as people age, and quick or substantial weight loss exacerbates the issue.
Loose Skin Most Noticeable in Face, Butt
Loose skin after weight loss, often referred to as “Ozempic face” or “Ozempic butt,” can affect various parts of the body beyond the face and buttocks.
Areas that become fuller during weight gain, such as thighs or breasts, may also appear less full or more aged after weight loss. The distribution of fat loss varies, with many people storing excess fat around the buttocks and midsection.
Weight loss in these areas, often observed with medications like semaglutide, can lead to the sagging appearance commonly associated with “Ozempic butt.”
Similarly, weight loss in the face can be noticeable due to the minimal fat deposits in that area, contributing to the perceived aging effect known as “Ozempic face.”
Managing Loose Skin After Weight Loss
Loose skin following rapid weight loss is not exclusive to drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy; it’s a common outcome of any substantial weight loss, including bariatric surgery or intensive dietary efforts.
While often a cosmetic concern, excessive sagging skin can lead to medical issues like skin breakdown, irritation, and limited activity due to excess skin.
Minimizing these effects may be possible through strategies such as gradual weight loss plans and maintaining a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition, exercise, hydration, and sleep (acronym: NEWS).
These practices support skin elasticity and the body’s cell regeneration during weight loss. However, individual responses to weight loss and skin elasticity vary.
Plastic surgery could be an option for those seeking to remove excess skin, particularly in areas like the stomach, arms, or legs. Consulting a doctor is advisable for those concerned about sagging skin after weight loss.
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