When losing weight ages the face

It's ubiquitous on social media – the so-called weight-loss injection. What was once developed to treat type 2 diabetes is now becoming a weight-loss drug for celebrities: Ozempic, a drug containing the active ingredient semaglutide. Since celebrities like Elon Musk spoke publicly about it, questions have been piling up. Many want to know if Ozempic helps with weight loss. But a much more crucial question is: What does Ozempic do to the skin?

Dr. Miriam Rehbein is one of Germany's leading dermatologists and entrepreneurs. Without outside capital, she built a successful practice, a cosmetic institute, and the skincare brand DOCTOR MI! medical skincare. She developed innovative treatments and set new standards with her TECMi!® technology. As a mother of three, she combines career and family and stands for independence, innovation, and skin health.

Ozempic belongs to a group of GLP-1 receptor agonists. These substances mimic a hormone released in the gut that increases the feeling of fullness. The result: less hunger, lower calorie intake—and often rapid weight loss. Studies show that patients can lose up to 15 percent of their body weight over several months. That sounds impressive at first glance. But, as is often the case, the devil is in the detail.

Significant weight loss has a direct impact on the appearance of the skin—especially on the face. The so-called "ozone face" debate demonstrates precisely this. The sudden loss of fat in the cheek area makes the skin appear looser, nasolabial folds become more pronounced, and contours lose definition. What remains is a tired, sunken-in look that often makes you appear older than you actually are.

Skin needs volume. And it's precisely this volume that's lost with too rapid or drastic weight loss. This is particularly problematic for people in their mid-30s, because from this point onward, the skin's own collagen production begins to decline anyway. If the supporting fatty tissue is reduced through medication without allowing the skin time to adjust, this often results in prematurely visible signs of skin aging.

In addition, many people report loss of appetite and sometimes even disgust for certain foods while taking semaglutide. This can lead to an unbalanced diet and, as a result, deficiencies – particularly in proteins, vitamins, and trace elements. However, these micronutrients are essential for skin regeneration and antioxidant cell protection. A vitamin C deficiency can impair collagen synthesis, iron deficiency makes the skin appear pale and dull, and a zinc deficiency impairs wound healing and the skin's barrier function.

From a medical perspective, the use of Ozempic can be absolutely beneficial in cases of severe obesity or metabolic disorders . In these cases, weight loss often improves blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, its use purely for aesthetic reasons—without medical necessity and without medical supervision—carries risks.

The situation becomes particularly critical when the medication is taken "off-label"—that is, outside of its approved indication—and without medical supervision, a practice that is unfortunately currently on the rise. In addition to skin changes, side effects such as nausea, constipation, pancreatic irritation, and even gallstones have been documented.

• Restorative care with stabilized retinol, peptides and antioxidants to support collagen production and prevent oxidative stress.
• Intensive moisturizing care , because changes in eating habits and a lack of essential fatty acids can impair the skin barrier.
• Professional support , for example through medical-cosmetic treatments such as collagen induction therapies, skin boosters or minimally invasive volume treatments.

The desire for quick fixes is understandable—especially in a society where slimness is equated with success and discipline. But truly healthy and radiant skin requires more than medication. It requires time, care, nutrients, and an understanding of the complex relationships between skin, metabolism, and lifestyle.

Ozempic may impress on the scales, but it often leaves traces on the skin that aren't so easy to "correct." So before succumbing to the temptation of rapid weight loss, it's worth taking a critical look at the bigger picture. True beauty doesn't begin with an empty stomach, but with a conscious approach to one's own body.

This article is from the EXPERTS Circle – a network of selected experts with in-depth knowledge and many years of experience. The content is based on individual assessments and is aligned with the current state of science and practice.