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Alba Otero
Writer“Observe, listen, and reflect” is my journalistic mantra. This philosophy guides me daily and ensures I produce quality journalism. My restlessness has led me explore new areas, such as sustainability and the energy transition, which are crucial to our future. In addition, I’ve also dabbled in street photography, an art that allows me to capture the essence of journalism in action.
Karen Alfaro
WriterCommunications professional with a decade of experience as a copywriter, proofreader, and editor. As a travel and science journalist, I've collaborated with several print and digital outlets around the world. I'm passionate about culture, music, food, history, and innovative technologies.
Many people have achieved the long-term goal of losing weight faster thanks to Ozempic. But they didn’t expect an unexpected side effect: a face that looks unfamiliar.
When they look in the mirror, they see someone else—sagging cheeks, loss of volume, and flaccid skin. And no, it’s not natural aging. On social media platforms, this phenomenon has been dubbed “Ozempic face,” a consequence of the drug’s success in promoting rapid weight loss. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these effects aren’t caused by the drug itself but by the swift loss of facial fat that comes with weight reduction.
The trend. The conversation has gained momentum, especially after celebrities began talking about the physical changes they’ve experienced after using this type of medication. One of the most vocal has been British TV presenter Sharon Osbourne, who admitted to losing more than 40 pounds with Ozempic—but not without regrets: “I don’t think I’ll ever be happy with the way I look. But I’m now satisfied. It’s taken years for me to say this, but I’ve learned my lesson. This is me. It’s finally time to leave well alone,” she told The Daily Mail.
Meanwhile, many people on social media platforms are proudly showing off their transformations. On platforms like TikTok, users share before-and-after images to highlight the physical changes they’ve achieved using Ozempic and similar medications.
The science behind it. From a medical point of view, the explanation is simple: If you lose fat very quickly, you’ll also lose fat in your face. But not all the skin snaps back. Dr. Nyla Raja, a dermatologist with a clinic in Mayfair, told the Evening Standard that Ozempic and similar drugs can trigger “such dramatic weight loss” that the skin struggles to keep up with the body’s rapid transformation.
“Normally, weight loss is a slow and sustained process,” she said. However, in this case, “the proteins in the skin—like collagen and elastin—don’t have time to regenerate and adapt, which leads to an aged appearance.” This loss of support in areas such as the cheekbones or jawline can make the face look more tired or aged than expected.
The change isn’t irreversible. While the effects can be concerning, there are solutions. Some dermatologists and nutritionists agree the best way to avoid these consequences is to aim for gradual weight loss. According to Forbes, maintaining a moderate weight loss rate, eating a diet rich in protein and collagen, and doing strength training can help preserve facial structure. In some cases, aesthetic treatments like radiofrequency therapy, dermal fillers, and facelifts are also used.
There are more effects. In addition to facial changes, other symptoms are just as unexpected. According to The Independent, one of the most notable secondary effects is “Ozempic tongue,” caused by dry mouth and resulting in altered taste perception. Dr. Tim Bradstock-Smith has noted that some patients experience dry mouth, dental hypersensitivity, and loss of volume in their lips and cheeks, affecting both appearance and oral health. Blurred vision and, in rare cases, vision loss have also been associated with semaglutide use.
A broader conversation. The debate is no longer confined to the medical profession. Like other weight loss drugs, Ozempic reflects our collective priorities in a culture of immediacy, where the ideal body often seems just an injection away. For many people, however, it represents a genuine opportunity to regain health, control weight, and improve quality of life.
Reducing this conversation to aesthetics oversimplifies a deeply personal decision. Behind every treatment are different stories, emotions, and contexts. We live in a society increasingly shaped by obsessions and trends born—and amplified—on social media platforms, where the ideal body is filtered and algorithmically enhanced. At this crossroads, the paths of health, self-esteem, and beauty grow ever more complex and fraught.
Image | Kaboompics.com
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