# GLP-1s Can Do a Number On Your Skin. These Are the Best Solutions.
GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide, used for weight loss and diabetes management, trigger rapid fat loss that can age the face prematurely, creating what experts call "Ozempic face." The phenomenon appears as hollowed cheeks, sagging skin, and deepened nasolabial folds when patients shed pounds quickly without adequate skin support.
Dermatologists and aesthetic specialists presented solutions at the 2026 Women's Health Lab in New York City to address this emerging concern. The underlying mechanism is straightforward: GLP-1 drugs accelerate weight loss so quickly that skin elasticity cannot keep pace. When someone loses substantial fat from the face in weeks or months rather than years, the skin loses its supporting structure faster than collagen and elastin can adapt.
Prevention proves more effective than correction. Medical professionals recommend slowing the pace of weight loss when using these medications, though this may conflict with how quickly some bodies respond. Maintaining adequate protein intake supports skin health during weight loss. Hydration and retinoid use strengthen skin resilience from within.
For those already experiencing facial changes, several options exist. Targeted filler injections restore volume to hollowed areas, particularly the cheeks and temples. Some practitioners use biostimulatory fillers that encourage the body's own collagen production rather than temporary volume replacement. Skin tightening treatments including radiofrequency microneedling and ultrasound therapy can improve laxity.
Dermatologists stress that timing matters. Starting preventive skincare measures before or early in GLP-1 treatment produces better outcomes than attempting correction afterward. Practitioners increasingly recognize these medications' effects on facial appearance and now counsel patients accordingly.
The conversation reflects a larger pattern: rapid