Doctors are reporting odd skin changes in patients who have taken the weight loss drug Ozempic. Julius Few, MD, a plastic surgeon in Chicago and Beverly Hills, recently told reporters that he had noted a marked difference in such patients, comparing their skin to an “old, overused, elastic band.”
Other doctors have made comparable observations since Dr. Few’s remarks were publicized. For instance, Dr. Mark Mofid, a facial plastic surgeon in San Diego, said that the skin of Ozempic users resembles an underwear waistband stretched out over a long time. Dr. Jason Diamond, who performs plastic surgery in Beverly Hills, said the skin is “definitely thinner and weaker” and noted that it impacts his ability to perform some procedures.
According to Dr. Few, roughly 25 to 30% of his patients take Ozempic or a similar weight-loss product categorized under the heading GLP-1. He adds that his experience has taught him that the medicines make the skin age and lose its ability to maintain facial structures, leading to sagging on the chin and jawline. Dr. Few clarified that this does not occur in patients who lose weight through other means, such as diet, exercise, or surgery.
Novo Nordisk, the drug’s manufacturer, issued a statement saying it is not aware of any studies examining the impact of the Ozempic on facial skin and structure but added that it would “work closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to continuously monitor the safety profile of our medicines.”
Ozempic, or Semaglutide, is a medication used to treat patients with type-2 diabetes and long-term obesity. It has been shown to reduce heart attack and stroke risk and help manage blood sugar levels. It works by increasing the amount of insulin the body produces after eating, ensuring that sugar levels don’t rise too high. Additionally, it slows the movement of food through the digestive system and lowers the amount of sugar released into the bloodstream.
It does, however, produce a series of side effects, including constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. More serious effects can include pancreatitis, eye damage, and gallbladder disease, and it is known to increase the risk of thyroid problems, including cancer.
Nevertheless, the drug has proven to be a hit, and several celebrities openly sing its praises. Among them is talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, who said she uses it as a “tool to manage yo-yo-ing.” Winfrey said she had struggled with her weight her whole life and was “done with it.” She also stated that she had previously rejected a medication-based approach, but changed her mind and felt no shame about doing so.
Similarly, Sharon Osbourne claims to have lost 42 pounds using Ozempic. During an interview last year, Osbourne said she had to stop taking the drug because she got too thin. “I didn’t want to go this thin. It just happened,” she said.
The music mogul later told hosts on a British morning talk show that Ozempic gave her confidence, and after taking it, she felt more able to “shape up.” She added that she would like to put another 10 pounds back on.
