Losing weight—especially a significant amount—can be a major accomplishment. Whether your journey was powered by a better diet, consistent exercise, or medications like Ozempic, the benefits often include better health and boosted self-confidence. But for many people, weight loss comes with an unexpected downside: sagging face skin after weight loss.
If your face no longer looks as firm or youthful as it once did, you’re not alone. Sagging skin on the face after weight loss is a common concern, especially after rapid weight loss or when the skin’s elasticity can’t keep up with the changes in body fat. In fact, there’s even a name for the hollow, deflated look that can follow dramatic weight loss with medications like Ozempic—people are calling it “Ozempic face.”
The good news is that there are effective, personalized solutions available—from surgical options like facelifts to non-invasive treatments like dermal fillers—that can help restore a more lifted, refreshed appearance. Let’s break down why this happens, how to recognize the signs, and what you can do about sagging facial skin after weight loss.
5 Fast Facts About Facial Sagging After Weight Loss
- Sagging facial skin after weight loss happens when your skin loses its ability to snap back after losing volume.
- Both rapid and gradual weight loss can lead to sagging, especially in the face and neck.
- Factors like age, genetics, and medications like Ozempic can worsen the appearance of loose skin.
- Surgical and non-surgical treatments can restore firmness and definition to the face and jawline.
- Dr. Hojjat offers expert care and a full range of solutions to tighten and refresh your appearance.
Why Does Facial Skin Sag After Weight Loss?
When you lose a significant amount of weight, your skin doesn’t always shrink back to fit your new shape. This happens because of a loss of facial fat and a decrease in the skin’s natural elasticity.
As we age, our skin produces less collagen and elastin—two key proteins that give skin its firmness and ability to bounce back. When you combine age-related changes with major weight loss, especially in the face and neck, you may be left with noticeable loose skin. The effect is sometimes called “Ozempic face,” a term used to describe facial hollowing and sagging that can occur in people taking semaglutide-based medications like Ozempic for weight loss.
What’s happening beneath the surface? The layer of fat that once gave your face structure is now reduced, but the skin that stretched to accommodate it often remains. Without that internal support, facial skin can begin to droop, especially around the cheeks, jawline, and neck.
Understanding Ozempic Face: Is This Only From Rapid Weight Loss?
Not necessarily. While rapid weight loss can create more sudden and visible changes in the face, even gradual weight loss can lead to sagging—especially if the skin has been stretched over a long period of time or if natural collagen production has slowed.
Several factors influence how your face reacts to weight loss:
- Age – Older skin tends to have less collagen and elastin, making it more prone to sagging.
- Genetics – Your skin type and how your body stores fat play a role.
- Lifestyle – Smoking, sun exposure, and poor hydration can all contribute to reduced skin elasticity.
- Medications – GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic may accelerate facial volume loss.
- Amount of weight lost – The more fat your face loses, the more noticeable the change may be.
The appearance of sagging is often more dramatic in the lower face, especially along the jawline (jowls), under the chin, and around the neck area.
Signs of Facial Sagging and Loose Skin After Weight Loss
Everyone’s face reacts differently to weight loss, but common signs of facial sagging include:
- Flattened cheeks and hollow temples
- Loose skin under the chin and jaw (also known as “jowls”)
- Folds or creases around the mouth and nose
- Sagging skin around the neck or under the eyes
- Overall loss of facial definition
These changes may make you look tired or older than you feel, even after reaching your weight loss goals.
Early treatment leads to better results
Schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Hojjat.
Rejuvenating Your Face After Weight Loss
The good news is that there are both surgical and non-surgical treatments that can help restore facial structure, tighten loose skin, and refresh your overall appearance. At SoCal Aesthetic Surgery, Dr. Homer Hojjat provides customized solutions that match your needs, your goals, and your skin.
Surgical Solutions
For patients with more advanced skin laxity or deeper sagging, surgical procedures often provide the most dramatic and long-lasting results.
- Facelift and Deep Plane Facelift – These surgeries lift and tighten sagging skin in the mid to lower face, restoring youthful contours and improving the jawline. The deep plane technique goes beneath the muscle layer for more natural-looking results.
- Mini Facelift – A great option for those with early signs of facial sagging after weight loss. It focuses on lifting the cheeks and jawline with smaller incisions and a quicker recovery time.
- Neck Lift and Mini Neck Lift – These procedures remove excess skin and tighten muscles in the neck area to improve definition and reduce the appearance of a “turkey neck” or double chin.
- Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) – Sagging eyelids or under-eye bags can be corrected with this surgery which removes or repositions fat and skin around the eyes.
- Brow Lift – Helps elevate the brows and smooth out wrinkles in the forehead area, reducing a tired or angry appearance.
Non-Surgical Options
If you’re not ready for surgery—or your skin changes are more subtle—non-surgical treatments can still offer excellent improvements.
- CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing – This treatment improves skin texture, tone, and firmness by removing damaged outer layers and stimulating collagen production.
- Dermal Fillers – Injectable hyaluronic acid-based fillers can restore lost volume in the cheeks, under the eyes, and around the mouth. They help lift sagging skin and reduce deep wrinkles.
Why Choose Dr. Homer Hojjat?
Dr. Homer Hojjat is a highly trained facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience in both surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. His goal is to help patients look naturally refreshed—not overdone. At SoCal Aesthetic Surgery, you’ll receive expert, compassionate care tailored to your unique needs.
With a deep understanding of facial anatomy and the artistic touch required for great results, Dr. Hojjat provides treatments that help patients look and feel like the best version of themselves.
How soon after weight loss should I consider facial rejuvenation?
It’s best to wait until your weight has stabilized before pursuing most facial rejuvenation treatments. For surgical procedures like facelifts or neck lifts, that typically means maintaining a stable weight for at least 6 months. This ensures your results won’t be impacted by further changes in facial volume.
However, non-surgical treatments like fillers or laser resurfacing can sometimes be done earlier, especially to address immediate concerns with skin texture or early sagging.
Are You Ready to Restore Your Confidence?
Facial sagging after weight loss can feel frustrating, but you don’t have to live with the after-effects of your transformation. Whether you’re dealing with “Ozempic face,” jowls, or general skin laxity, there are solutions designed to help you feel confident again.
As a renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Hojjat offers a full spectrum of plastic surgery treatments to restore a youthful, lifted appearance. Book your consultation today and take the next step toward feeling great in your skin. Call SoCal Aesthetic Surgery in Irvine, California, or schedule a free consultation online today.
