The more we discover about the drug Ozempic, the more excited we become. Licensed here for use by diabetics, but sold privately as a weight loss treatment, has helped many reach their target size and shape already, with little feeling of deficiency at all.
But there is a problem. With rapid weight loss comes matter, and a lot of it. If you lose the fat but leave the excess skin behind, parts of the body that were previously smooth and tight—the face, neck, stomach, even the tops of the knees—will suddenly look wrinkled and old.
It’s no good feeling confident enough to rebuild your wardrobe in a smaller size if your ‘Ozempic Face’ makes you want to hide away.
Naturally, the cosmetics industry has come up with a multitude of remedies. ‘The Post-Ozempic Makeover is very much a thing,’ says Dr. Raj Thethi of the Yorkshire Skin Centre, who has seen a surge in requests for treatments for alopecia.
‘Patients want solutions for loss of volume in the front of the face, hollowing around the eyes and jaws, as well as loose skin on the body.’
In London, Esther Fieldgrass, owner of the EF Medispa clinics, agrees. ‘There has been a massive increase in the number of women taking Ozempic seeking treatments for facial volume loss. Requests for tear trough fillers under the eyes in our clinics have increased by 70% in the last year alone.’
It is important to change your eating habits while taking Ozempic, as a large number of users report rapid weight gain after they stop using the drug
Tired, sunken eyes are a giveaway, estheticians say, but not all fixes involve injectables. NeoGen Power Glow Tightening Treatment (from £500; neogenplasma.co.uk ) targets the under-eye area with thermal energy to rebuild fibroblast cells, which boost collagen.
A virtually painless treatment that takes less than five minutes, with slight reddening of the skin for just an hour afterwards, it is a favorite among high net worth women across the country.
What about the neck? To re-contour post-Ozempic turkey jowls and sagging jawlines, many cosmetic practitioners use Sculptra (from £550 consultingroom.com), an injectable collagen enhancer made from Poly-L-lactic acid, which is inserted via a cannula into areas that have lost volume .
Patients can expect some soreness, swelling and occasional bruising, but this will subside after a few days. The ultimate stealth treatment – ​​meaning friends won’t be able to put their finger on what makes you look so good – Sculptra delivers subtle results after around six weeks, peaking four months after treatment, as new collagen networks begin to form.
A course of two treatments six weeks apart is recommended, with results lasting around two years.
Brazilian doctors – who else? – is also pioneering a new Sculptra protocol available at London’s The Taktouk clinic to refresh flat, saggy buttocks (drwassimtaktouk.com). With prices starting at £3,000, it’s not cheap.
Other loose skin, post-Ozempic trouble spots include the tops of the knees and arms and the stomach, which is prone to wrinkling, especially around the navel.
The new Morpheus8 3D Body treatment is also an uncomfortable, expensive option (£1,000 per session; inmodemd.co.uk) but claims to remodel and tighten the skin’s underlying framework – improving the bond between collagen and elastin fibers – using radio energy waves via 40 gold-plated micropins.
For best results, a course of three sessions every four to six weeks is recommended. Results continue to improve for up to 12 to 18 months.
However, the makeover is not just about the cosmetic clinic. To keep the pounds from piling back on, trainer Dalton Wong of Twenty-Two Training, who counts actress Jennifer Lawrence among his clients, recommends focusing on strength training at the gym.
To maintain lean muscle, key exercises such as squats, lunges, deadlifts and push ups should be prioritized over cardio.
“After Ozempic, people’s energy levels are usually lower as they’ve eaten far less, so I recommend focusing on shorter 30-minute sessions, three to four times a week,” he says.
Rose Ferguson, renowned nutritionist and partner at London’s latest wellness club, The Surrenne at Claridges Hotel, adds: ‘Post-Ozmpic, it is essential to consume a balanced diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods. Prioritize lean proteins such as fish, poultry and plant-based sources such as beans and lentils to support muscle mass.’
Finally, it is important to change your eating habits while taking Ozempic to avoid what doctors refer to as ‘Ozempic rebound’, as a large number of users report rapid weight gain after they stop using the drug.
Adopting healthy eating habits is the key to prolonging and maintaining the life of the Ozempic makeover.
Olivia Falcon is the founder of @editorlisten