Weight loss medications can be an excellent tool for helping patients reach their weight loss goals. They can help lower the risk of obesity-related diseases and make it easier to maintain a healthier weight long-term. While these treatments have many benefits, some patients notice unexpected changes in their appearance after losing weight.
It’s not unusual to love the results in the body but feel differently about the changes in the face. Rapid weight loss can lead to facial volume loss and make you look older in a short amount of time. At Lucienne Salon & Medical Spa in South Jordan, UT, we’ll walk you through why this happens, how to minimize the effects, and what options are available if you have already noticed unwanted changes.
Why Does the Face Look Different After Weight Loss?
When you lose weight quickly, the fat that once gave your face fullness can shrink and leave the skin with less support. Age and skin elasticity directly affect how well the skin can adjust, since collagen and elastin production naturally decline over time. Even healthy skin can only tighten so much after a significant loss of volume.
Common Facial Changes You Might Notice
- Sagging Skin and Jowling: As facial fat decreases, the skin can start to sag, especially along the jawline. Without the same underlying support, you might notice early jowling or a softer, less defined lower face.
- Sunken Cheeks and Hollow Temples: The cheeks and temples naturally have a layer of fat that gives the face a youthful contour, and when that layer thins out, the face can look sharper and more angular. Some patients also find that hollow temples make the upper face appear narrower or more aged.
- More Prominent Wrinkles: Rapid weight loss can make wrinkles look deeper because the skin is not as tightly stretched over the facial structure. Lines around the mouth, eyes, and forehead can become more noticeable as the fat cushion underneath them diminishes.
- Loose Neck Skin or “Turkey Neck”: When the skin under the chin and around the neck loses volume without enough elasticity to retract, it can create the appearance of a “turkey neck.” This is a very common area patients seek to treat after major weight loss.
What Causes These Changes?
Rapid Fat Loss
When fat is lost quickly, the skin doesn’t always have time to adapt to the new shape of the face. This can leave areas like the cheeks, jawline, and under the eyes looking deflated. Slower weight loss gives the skin a better chance to contract gradually, but rapid changes often outpace the skin’s natural ability to respond.
Muscle and Bone Changes
As we age, it’s not just fat that diminishes. Muscle tone and bone structure can also change. Weight loss can sometimes highlight these shifts and make the face look more gaunt or hollow. Reduced muscle support under the skin can add to the appearance of sagging, especially around the mouth and jawline.
Skin Thinning and Dehydration
Thinner skin tends to show underlying changes more clearly, including volume loss and new wrinkles. Dehydration, which can happen during aggressive dieting or weight loss, makes the skin look less plump and resilient. Without enough hydration and healthy skin structure, fine lines and loose areas become more visible.
Is There a Connection Between Weight Loss Injections and Facial Changes?
Facial changes can happen with any form of rapid weight loss, including weight loss from injections. Because medications like GLP-1 agonists help patients lose fat across the entire body, it isn’t possible to control where the fat comes off. Some patients notice facial thinning more because injections can lead to faster and more dramatic weight loss compared to diet and exercise alone (earning the nickname “Ozempic face”). The face naturally has smaller fat deposits, so even a moderate loss can make changes look more pronounced. While these treatments are effective for improving overall health, they can bring visible shifts that some patients want to address afterward.
Preventing Facial Changes During Weight Loss
Staying Hydrated
Good hydration helps keep your skin looking fuller and more resilient as you lose weight. Drinking enough water throughout the day supports both your overall health and the appearance of your skin. It also helps maintain the skin’s natural barrier, which can soften the look of new lines or hollows.
Prioritize Skin Health During Weight Loss
Taking care of your skin during weight loss can make a difference in how well it adapts. Using products that support collagen production, like those with peptides or retinoids, can help keep the skin firmer. Sun protection is just as important, since UV damage can further break down collagen and elastin. Investing in regular skincare routines gives the skin more support as your body changes.
Consult Your Doctor About the Proper Rate for Weight Loss
Losing weight at a slower, steady pace gives your skin more time to adjust. Rapid weight loss often doesn’t give the tissues enough time to contract naturally. Your doctor can help you set a goal for gradual weight reduction that supports better skin outcomes. This approach may also help preserve muscle mass, which can further support your facial structure.
Get All of the Right Nutrients
Skin needs a wide range of nutrients to stay strong and healthy, especially during weight loss. Protein, healthy fats, vitamins C and E, and minerals like zinc all support collagen production and skin repair. If your diet becomes too restrictive, the skin may not have enough resources to maintain its structure. A balanced eating plan can help the face retain a healthier, more youthful appearance as the weight comes off.
Solutions for Post-Weight Loss Facial Changes
Injectable Treatments
Dermal fillers like JUVÉDERM®, Restylane®, and Revanesse Versa® can help restore some of the volume lost after rapid weight loss. These fillers add subtle fullness back to areas like the cheeks, temples, and around the mouth. We carefully place fillers to support the natural structure of your face without.
Skin Resurfacing Treatments
Options like microneedling, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion can improve skin texture and stimulate new collagen growth. These treatments encourage the skin to heal itself, making it firmer and more even over time. Resurfacing treatments can also soften the look of fine lines and improve overall tone, which helps offset some of the changes caused by fat loss. They’re often a good choice for patients who want to improve skin quality alongside volume restoration.
Skin Tightening Treatments
Radiofrequency microneedling is one option that can tighten loose skin and improve elasticity without surgery. This treatment uses heat energy along with the microneedles to stimulate deeper layers of the skin, boosting collagen and remodeling tissue. The skin becomes firmer and better supported, reducing the appearance of sagging. Skin tightening treatments like these can be a helpful way to address early jowling or mild laxity after weight loss.
Reach Your Weight Loss and Aesthetic Goals at Lucienne Salon & Medical Spa
Facial changes after weight loss can be improved with treatments that restore volume, tighten skin, and boost natural collagen. At Lucienne Salon & Medical Spa in South Jordan, UT, we offer a range of solutions to help patients look refreshed while maintaining the benefits of their weight loss. We also have strategies that we use during our weight loss programs to help you lose weight at a healthy rate, preventing facial changes so you can look and feel your best. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call 801-280-9990 to get started.