“Ozempic Face” Unmasked: Restoring Facial Volume After Weight Loss

Key Takeaways:

  • “Ozempic Face” is not accelerated aging but a change in the facial fat pads due to weight loss, leading to a gaunt appearance.
  • Both non-surgical and surgical solutions are available to address the changes and restore facial volume, tailored to individual needs.
  • Expert consultation, like with Dr. Effie Politis, can guide you in choosing the best treatment approach, ensuring you achieve the facial aesthetics you desire.

The Unexpected Face of Weight Loss

When embarking on your weight loss journey, the last thing you might anticipate is how the journey may change the contours and look of your face. This is especially true if you’re using treatments like ozempic, an injectable medication known for its weight loss side effect. However, like many treatments, it comes with its own set of challenges.

Decoding "Ozempic Face"

Recently, Dr. Effie Politis, a leading plastic surgeon in Tampa, FL, addressed the topic of “Ozempic Face” on Instagram, based on an article in the New York Times. It’s an important subject for anyone who is concerned about how weight loss might alter their facial aesthetics.

For starters, what is “Ozempic Face”? In the quest to shed pounds, some people on ozempic (which contains semi-glutide) have noted that their faces begin to look older. Rather than the medication directly causing aging, what’s occurring is a change in the deep and superficial fat pads of the face. The result? A somewhat dark, gaunt appearance. Factors like the amount of weight lost, a person’s age, and skin elasticity can all influence the degree to which this effect is visible.

Options for Restoration

But here’s the good news: you’re not locked into this look. Dr. Politis, along with her expert team at Politis Plastic Surgery, offers an array of both non-surgical and surgical solutions designed to rejuvenate and restore facial volume.

For those looking to avoid surgery, treatments can range from skin-tightening procedures, lasers, and topicals, to neuromodulators, fillers, biostimulators, and even suture suspension lifts. Each option is tailored to address specific concerns and can be used in combination to achieve the best results.

For those who may require or prefer a surgical approach, Dr. Politis suggests procedures such as neck lifts, mid-face lifts, face lifts, upper and lower lip blepharoplasties, and brow lifts. One noteworthy addition to these procedures is fat grafting. This technique, which Dr. Politis particularly recommends, uses micro or nano fat to restore volume to the face, providing a natural and youthful fullness.

Take Control of Your Facial Aesthetics

The most important takeaway? Whether you’ve experienced changes from ozempic or any other weight loss method, know that there are solutions to help you achieve your desired facial aesthetics. Every face is unique, and the treatment approach should be customized to fit your specific needs.

Dr. Politis and her team at Politis Plastic Surgery in Tampa, FL are excited to offer guidance, expertise, and the most cutting-edge solutions to address “Ozempic Face” and other facial aesthetic concerns. If you’re ready to embark on a journey toward facial rejuvenation, don’t hesitate to reach out for a personalized consultation.

References:

  1. Politis Plastic Surgery | Plastic Surgeon in Tampa, FL. (2023, May 7). Politis Plastic Surgery. https://politisplasticsurgery.com/injectables/ 
  2. ‌Politis Plastic Surgery | Plastic Surgeon in Tampa, FL. (2023, May 7). Politis Plastic Surgery. https://politisplasticsurgery.com/face/ 
  3. Non-surgical ideas for defining your facial structure, cheek bones, and more | COLUMBUS VEIN & AESTHETICS. Cvva.care. https://www.cvva.care/non-surgical-ideas-for-defining-your-facial-structure-cheek-bones-and-more/ 
  4. Binder, W. J. (2011). Facial Rejuvenation and Volumization Using Implants. Facial Plastic Surgery, 27(01), 086–097. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0030-1270421

The Embrace RF Procedure

We’re all vulnerable to aging. And the quality of your face and skin will inevitably slowly degrade with time.

Embrace RF Procedure

Often when we inspect our face closely we see loose, sagging skin with small pockets of fat all over. Many of us don’t like these inevitable changes and desire the restoration of youth and beauty.

This is why many are choosing the EmbraceRF procedure as a way to achieve a substantial outcome with a relatively modest risk profile compared to more invasive procedures.

So what is the EmbraceRF procedure?

EmbraceRF is a non-surgical, minimally-invasive, FDA-cleared, innovative therapy for producing results closer to facelift surgery. The highly advanced skin-tightening and face-contouring treatment uses radiofrequency energy to deliver a younger, slimmer appearance. With its blend of two top facial rejuvenation treatments—FaceTite and Morpheus 8—EmbraceRF is a multipurpose approach that contours, lifts, and clears the face and skin without surgery or downtime.

It is a perfect option if you don’t want facelift or surgery as it gives permanent results within a shorter time compared to surgery. The results are also more natural-looking and achieved with less scarring. Plus, the procedure takes just 45 to 60 minutes to complete, making it a very convenient solution for tackling facial aging symptoms.

How is it done?

It is performed under local anesthesia or light sedation. During the procedure, your surgeon passes a thin probe with a needle-like entry point under your skin at the treatment site. The probe is used to direct radiofrequency energy to the underlying skin tissue while the skin surface is treated concurrently with a specially-designed hand piece.

EmbraceRF is right for you if you have:

  1. Neck and face wrinkles
  2. Deep creases between your mouth and nose
  3. Sagging skin and neck contour
  4. Jowls
  5. Sagging facial skin with little elasticity
  6. Sagging neck and chin contour

But you should also be in good overall health, a non-smoker, and have realistic expectations.

How does it work?

EmbraceRF applies radiofrequency energy both to the skin surface and to the sub-dermal layers. As the temperature rises above 60 degrees Celsius under the skin, fat dissipates and the skin tightens.

The procedure melts excess fat, contracts the skin, and enhances overall texture; helping to address loose skin in the neck, jowls, and other body areas. It is effective in eliminating stubborn pockets of fat in the neck and facial areas; hence it tightens loose skin, contracts and contours fat, and allows for shaving off of fat in places such as the nasolabial folds, jaw-line, and chin.

By using controlled radiofrequency energy to heat sub-dermal tissue, EmbraceRF helps to reinvigorate collagen production. The newly produced collagen repairs and rejuvenates skin tissue, reducing and eliminating wrinkles to achieve a smoother, fresher skin. In turn, the new collagen helps to make the skin firmer, stronger, and more elastic. This eliminates skin sagging and improves the outline of areas that previously had unsightly, fatty lumps.

Besides, the FaceTite part of the procedure employs tiny incisions made behind the ears and below the skin to deliver a controlled wave of energy, while the Morpheus 8 part blends micro-needling with radiofrequency to provide even more dramatic results.

What are the benefits of the procedure?

EmbraceRF is an effective alternative to surgical facelift. It restores facial contours in a minimally invasive way, therefore it doesn’t lead to scarring. It is specially tailored to tackle facial fat and skin laxity. Plus, the recovery time is short and you’ll be able to return to work and resume your routine activities after 48 hours.

The non-surgical procedure can be done on the forehead, eye, brow, chin, cheek, jaw, and neck areas, delivering benefits that are close to those of facelift without the surgery and its associated recovery. It effectively reduces wrinkles and fine lines, minimizes skin laxity, and remodels neck, jaw line and facial fat.

At Politis Plastic Surgery, we offer EmbraceRF and other non-surgical solutions alongside surgical procedures. We carefully select non-surgical techniques that offer stellar, dependable and quality results for our clients, ensuring that all our procedures add value and help our patients look their best.

Would you like trusted, non-surgical rejuvenation performed by a skilled, experienced plastic surgeon. Book your consultation with Dr. Effie Politis today to find out the right surgical and non-surgical options that suit your cosmetic needs. For more information on the EmbraceRF procedure and other facial rejuvenation techniques, visit the site “Politis Plastic Surgery.”

 

How Many Units of Botox Do I Need?

Areas where toxins/neuromodulators can be injected and corresponding units that you need per area. Individual facial muscle requires different amounts of toxin in order to fully relax & prevent wrinkle formation. ⁣ ⁣ There are also other characteristics that influence how your body reacts to injections: your gender, size and strength of your facial muscles, and your metabolism.⁣ ⁣ ⁣ It’s important to make sure that you receive the proper amount of units required for your individual needs and goals. Dr. Effie will make sure you meet your needs and desired results. ⁣ ⁣ The goal is always to achieve balance on the needs of what the patient wants, and what the plastic surgeon advises to give, as the best result. ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ Attempting to save money by undertreating an area will not create a satisfying result and could end up costing you more money if a fix is needed. An experienced toxin injector will determine the right amount needed to deliver the results you are looking for.⁣ Do you have some questions? Let us know in the comment section below! Or better yet, book a consultation with us!

Before and After: Mini Facelift

This lovely patient underwent a mini-facelift in-office under local anesthesia, as well as hyperdilute Radiesse injected into cheeks and central face for composite facial restoration and skin tightening.

Her goal was to address her excess skin and jowls of the lower face The procedure involved elevating the skin and identifying the SMAS layer, which is a thin layer of muscle and fibrous bands that cover the muscles and deep fat pads of the face.

When the SMAS becomes loose and sags with age, it creates laxity along the lower face and jawline, creating jowls, marionette lines, nasolabial folds, and neck bands.

A mini facelift is a corrective cosmetic procedure that targets sagging skin around the lower face and jawline. The incision is still placed in front of the earlobe and curves gently under the earlobe, depending on the amount of skin to be excised. The neck and lower face are carefully evaluated in order to see if one is a candidate.

Please note the patient also had hyperdilute Radiesse for skin tightening and also for volumization.

Procedure: Mini Facelift
Area of Concern: lower face and jowls
Anesthesia: Local
Downtime: patient can drive home, may not engage in vigorous exercise for 7-10 days
Recovery: 2 weeks
Pain Control: Tylenol and NSAIDS
Expect long-lasting results given this is not a skin procedure but addresses the SMAS or strength layer. Can be complemented by composite fat grafting or hyperdilute Radiesse for skin tightening as well as microneedling with topical dilute botox and exosomes.