Non-Surgical Facelift Addresses 'Ozempic Face' Concerns

The increasing use of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy has led to a common side effect known as 'Ozempic face,' characterized by sagging skin and a gaunt appearance due to rapid facial fat loss. Charlotte Cripps, a 49-year-old journalist, detailed her experience with this phenomenon and her decision to undergo a non-surgical procedure to address it.

Cripps, who lost nearly three stone on weight-loss drugs, noticed a significant change in her facial structure, including a saggy jawline and sunken cheeks. Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle and skincare routine, the rapid weight reduction led to skin laxity. "The trouble with any rapid weight loss is that fat compartments in the face shrink and the skin appears looser, giving a slightly hollow, gaunt and sagging look," she explained.

Seeking a solution that avoided surgery and the downtime associated with traditional facelifts, Cripps consulted Dr. David Jack, a skin rejuvenation specialist. Dr. Jack recommended the UltraClear Lift, a laser treatment he considers effective for combating 'Ozempic face' and general aging. Unlike older CO2 laser resurfacing techniques that rely on intense heat and often involve significant recovery periods, UltraClear Lift uses a cold fractional laser.

This method works by creating microscopic injuries on the skin's surface, stimulating the body's natural wound-healing response to produce new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. This process aims to create firmer, smoother, and more youthful-looking skin with minimal downtime. "Instead of heat it uses a cold fractional laser to boost collagen and elastin deep within the skin to create a firmer, smoother and more youthful and even toned complexion," Cripps wrote.

The 45-minute procedure, performed at Dr. Jack's clinic in London, involved applying a numbing cream followed by the laser device across the face, neck, and eye area. Cripps described the treatment as painless, though she experienced significant redness and dryness in the days following, which she likened to a severe sunburn. She noted the importance of following aftercare instructions, including gentle cleansing and avoiding active skincare ingredients for a period.

Despite initial shock from onlookers, including parents at her children's school, Cripps reported that her skin began to glow with a healthy pinkness by the third day. She observed noticeable improvements in her jawline, skin firmness, and texture, as well as a tightening of her eyelids. Five months post-treatment, she noted that friends commented on her more youthful appearance. "My face looks more lifted, my jawline is impressively sharper with no double chin, my skin is firmer and plumper, with a smoother texture. I’m also less jowly and my face appears rested," she stated. Cripps concluded that the treatment provided a refreshed appearance without looking obviously altered.

Dr. Jack explained that while the laser treatment is not a replacement for surgery in cases of severe laxity, it can significantly improve mild to moderate skin looseness. He added that results typically take up to six months to fully manifest, with continued improvement for up to a year, and the effects can last from one to five years, with annual maintenance treatments recommended.