Whereas working on Ozempic sufferers, Dr. Few began to note a pattern: The pores and skin high quality of somebody on a GLP-1 was reminding him of an “old, overused rubber band.” Mark Mofid, MD, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in San Diego and La Jolla, makes an identical comparability — it’s just like the elastic waistband on a pair of underwear that has stretched out over time.
Dr. Diamond, who specialises in facelift surgical procedures, has observed the SMAS layer is “definitely thinner and weaker” on individuals who have been utilizing GLP-1s for weight reduction. (SMAS is an acronym for subcutaneous musculoaponeurotic system, a layer of connective tissues that helps the face.) Often, the SMAS thins naturally as you grow old, which may contribute to facial growing old, like sagging across the cheeks, in response to a examine revealed in Aesthetic Surgical procedure Journal Open Discussion board. And if an Ozempic affected person has plans to develop into a facelift affected person, it’s price noting that the SMAS layer can be important for natural-looking outcomes. “The success of the facelift is really based on the strength of the muscle layer,” says Dr. Diamond. “You’re not pulling out the skin and using that to get the lift. The muscle layer being thin can definitely affect facelift results.”
Dr. Few estimates that about 25 to 30 % of his sufferers are presently taking a GLP-1, and finds that their pores and skin “doesn’t hold its elastic recoil the way it did.” Primarily based on his expertise, utilizing a GLP-1 “almost seems to age the quality of the skin, like the skin takes on an appearance of an older person.” He’s seen the pores and skin look extra worn and lose its potential to retain its form across the constructions of the face, which could result in sagging across the jawline, for instance. These are modifications he hasn’t observed in sufferers who’ve misplaced vital weight in different methods — like via weight loss plan or gastric bypass surgical procedure — which makes him suppose it’s distinctive to GLP-1 utilization.
We requested Novo Nordisk, the makers of Ozempic and Wegovy, about what some plastic surgeons are noticing, and so they despatched the next remark: “At Novo Nordisk, patient safety is a top priority. We work closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to continuously monitor the safety profile of our medicines. We are not aware of any studies looking at the effect of semaglutide specifically on facial fat. We recommend that any patients experiencing side effects while taking Wegovy or Ozempic contact their healthcare provider.” Novo Nordisk additionally famous that, “although Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide, they are different products with different indications, dosages, prescribing information, titration schedules, and delivery forms. The products are not interchangeable and should not be used outside of their approved indications. Novo Nordisk is committed to the responsible use of our medicines. We are taking multiple steps to ensure responsible use of our semaglutide medicines which are detailed on semaglutide.com.” These accepted indications, they continued, are as follows: “Wegovy 2.4 mg is FDA approved in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as death, heart attack, and stroke in adults with known heart disease and either obesity or overweight; and to help adults and children aged ≥ 12 years with obesity, or some adults with overweight with weight-related medical problems, lose excess body weight and keep it off. Ozempic is FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, to improve blood sugar, along with diet and exercise, and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease. Ozempic is not approved for chronic weight management.”
The place they’re seeing it
You’ve most likely heard about “Ozempic face,” a time period for the sunken look that may consequence from fast weight reduction. In her apply, Umbareen Mahmood, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York Metropolis, has observed “accelerated aging in the face” of sufferers who’ve misplaced a substantial quantity of weight on a GLP-1, noting “increased fine lines, jowling, periorbital hollowness, and crepiness of the skin.” However pores and skin modifications are additionally displaying up on arms, legs, and stomachs. Dr. Mahmood has seen “marked increased laxity in the tissue of the breasts, abdomen, arms, and medial thighs [the part of the thigh that includes the hips]” on sufferers who’ve taken a GLP-1 to drop some weight. In response, Dr. Mahmood has turned to instruments like Galaflex mesh help, which is also known as an “internal bra,” when doing a breast carry or carry with implants. “The skin elasticity is weakened and needs additional support to hold up an implant or maintain a new shape on its own,” she says.
