Study Indicates That 'Ozempic Face' May Not Be Unavoidable

As more people turn to GLP-1 medications, one concern consistently rises to the top: how will this rapid weight loss affect my face? The term “Ozempic Face” has become shorthand for the hollowing, laxity and sharper contours that can appear when facial fat drops faster than the skin can adjust. For patients who feel great about their health progress but uneasy about these changes, the instinct is usually to correct the issue after it appears.

A new study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum explores a different idea. Instead of repairing facial deflation later, can you help prevent it while the weight is coming off? That question is the focus of early research from Pasadena, CA, facial plastic surgeon Kay Durairaj, MD, who examined whether a collagen-stimulating injectable could support facial structure during active GLP-1 weight loss.

“Our early data suggest that hyperdilute Radiesse helps preserve facial structure and skin quality during GLP-1-associated weight loss,” Dr. Durairaj says. “I prefer to begin treatment early in the GLP-1 journey once patients are stable on their dose and weight loss is underway, but before significant facial deflation. I position biostimulatory filler as part of a long-term facial rejuvenation plan.”

Below, a closer look at what the study found and how the technique works.

This was a small case series of four women between 45 and 54 who were actively losing weight on GLP-1 medications. Each patient received two sessions of hyperdilute Radiesse to the midface and lower face and was followed for six months. Even with an average loss of 24 pounds, the imaging results did not match the typical hollowing pattern associated with rapid weight loss. “Using 3D imaging, we saw that patients treated with hyperdilute Radiesse maintained better facial support and skin texture during active weight loss with just one syringe per treatment session when applying anatomic precision,” Dr. Durairaj explains.

Radiesse is a calcium hydroxylapatite filler known for stimulating collagen and elastin. In a hyperdilute form, it behaves more like a regenerative treatment than a traditional filler. Instead of adding bulk, it reinforces the underlying facial framework by being placed in thin threads across support zones that help keep the midface and jawline lifted.

The most notable shift this study introduces is the idea of treating before visible deflation appears. According to Dr. Durairaj, waiting until hollowing is obvious makes it harder to restore natural contours. Starting early, once a patient is on a stable dose and weight loss has begun, may allow the collagen response to keep pace with volume changes.

“This is a proactive facial preservation strategy. Treat early, go low and slow, respect anatomy and reassess as the pounds come off,” she says.

Hyperdilute Radiesse is not dissolvable like hyaluronic acid fillers, so treatment should be performed only by an experienced provider who understands facial anatomy and regenerative injectables. While this is early research with a very small sample, it offers a new framework for GLP-1 patients who want to stay ahead of facial changes rather than react to them.

Instead of asking how to fix Ozempic Face, patients may start asking how to protect their facial structure while they lose weight. For those looking for a smoother transition and a more balanced reflection of their progress, this early work suggests collagen-stimulating injectables may play a role. And for many people on GLP-1s, it is reassuring to know that facial aging does not have to be part of the cost.

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