Explained | All you need to know about viral 'Ozempic face' trend

Weight loss drugs have hit the pharmaceutical markets like a ‘magical wand’, giving people hope to lose weight without having to lift a finger or to hit the gym or to forcefully restrict oneself from mouth watering delicacies. However, rapidly losing weight comes with some hidden cost.

Multiple media reports have cited how these medications are slowly drifting away from their clinical intent and are being used to serve cosmetic purposes. 

While the benefits of weight loss drugs to counter the ill effects of obesity outweigh the side effects, these medicines are not for everybody and their usage demands discretion, and a reasonable prescription, experts have warned.

Some people using semaglutide (parent chemical of drug brands like Ozempic and Wegovy) have addressed some after effects of the medicine and these ill effects are going viral with terminology: ‘Ozempic face’, ‘Ozempic personality’ and even ‘Ozempic breath’.

While Ozempic is just one of the brands available, the ill effects are relevant to other similar weight loss jabs circulating in the market.

What is ‘Ozempic face’?

The sudden drop in body weight causes some facial changes such as sagging of skin, prominent resurfacing of wrinkles and lines, sunken eyes and more visible bone structure.

Consumers of weight loss drugs are casually calling it an ‘ozempic face’ on social media.

As per experts, with loss of body fat, there is also reduction in the subcutaneous fat which is right under the skin.

There is also loss of elastin (a tissue responsible for stretching of skin) and collagen (responsible for structural support), said the Cleveland Clinic.

In fact, the faster a person loses weight, the more likely they are to develop an ‘Ozempic face’, experts have said.

Changes personality and smell

Among other side effects of weight loss medications are those related to mood and changes in breath.

As per reports, weight loss drugs like GLP-1 (Glucagon-like-peptide 1) antagonists delay the food emptying in the gastrointestinal tract, promote action of insulin and decrease appetite.

However, studies have also found them to meddle with the reward system in the brain, causing changes in the levels of dopamine and causing a dampening of the mood.

As per Healthline, people have reported a lack of interest in the previously enjoyed activities.

A study run by Novo Nordisk (global healthcare company which discovered semaglutide) found that 9 percent of participants experience belching (burping).

An expert speaking to Healthline said that when food remains in the stomach for long standing hours, it tends to get fermented and release unpleasant smell. 

Also, the reduced food noise can make people miss out on nutrients and initiate ketosis (a metabolic state where the body starts to burn fat in place of glucose for energy).