What is Ozempic®?

Ozempic® is a GLP-1 agonist used to lower blood glucose levels. GLP-1 medications mimic the body’s natural glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone, which is released after meals and stimulates insulin secretion.

Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, Ozempic® helps regulate blood sugar levels in patients whose bodies do not effectively use insulin. Beyond glycemic control, GLP-1 medications also reduce appetite and promote satiety, often leading to significant weight loss.

Ozempic® is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and is part of the broader class of GLP-1 therapies used in obesity management. Since its European Commission approval in 2018, its use has expanded widely across Europe and the United States.

In 2024, 26.5% of US adults diagnosed with diabetes reported using GLP-1 injectables. Usage varies by age group, and an increasing proportion of patients use these medications primarily for weight loss.

Does Ozempic® have side effects?

GLP-1 agonists influence both the brain and gastrointestinal system, reducing hunger and accelerating feelings of fullness. While effective for weight reduction, rapid fat loss can result in visible changes to facial appearance due to a reduction in subcutaneous fat. One of the most discussed aesthetic consequences is the so-called Ozempic® Face.

What is the Ozempic® Face?

The term was introduced by US dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank to describe typical changes that appear in the faces of patients undergoing Ozempic® treatment.

Typical Characteristics of the Ozempic® Face are:

• ‍Facial volume loss and dullness

Reduction of subcutaneous fat can lead to decreased skin elasticity, dullness, and more pronounced lines and wrinkles. Patients may experience hollow cheeks, hanging skin under the eyes, thinning lips, and deepened nasolabial folds.

• ‍Premature ageing appearance

Rapid weight loss may mimic accelerated aging, particularly when skin retraction does not keep pace with volume reduction. Loss of fat affects collagen and elastin support, influencing skin tone, firmness, and structural integrity.

Is the Ozempic® Face avoidable?

As the use of GLP-1 medications increases, discussions around aesthetic side effects have grown. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported that a significant proportion of GLP-1 patients considered cosmetic procedures to address facial changes.

The extent of facial changes depends on factors such as age, baseline skin elasticity, collagen levels, and the rate of weight loss. Younger patients may experience better skin retraction, whereas rapid weight reduction in older individuals can result in more pronounced sagging and hollowing.

How can Scarletred® Vision support early detection?

Scarletred® Vision provides standardized digital skin imaging documentation and quantitative analysis to detect early facial changes associated with rapid weight loss.

The system transforms smartphones (iOS and Android) into medical imaging devices for standardized documentation and monitoring. It enables objective, quantifiable measurement of parameters such as:

• Skin color distribution
• Texture and wrinkle patterns
• Surface characteristics
• Morphometric changes
• Volume-related alterations

Scarletred® Vision provides three functional models:

• Imaging SaaS – for standardized skin documentation and dataset management.
• ‍Analysis SaaS – for clinically validated quantitative measurement of skin parameters.
• AI SaaS with ARORA®AI – for automated disease severity scoring, converting visual skin data into actionable, clinical parameters. ‍

‍Detectable Hallmarks of the Ozempic® Face

Scarletred® Vision can help identify and monitor:

• Sunken eye areas – Texture analysis of under-eye and upper cheek regions
• Dark under-eye circles – Quantification of dominant color shades and brightness distribution
• Hollow cheeks – Morphometric and texture-based tracking
• Wrinkles and fine lines – Objective wrinkle percentage and pattern analysis
• Thinner lips and submental sagging – Area percentage comparison and contour analysis
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Why Early Detection Matters

Objective, standardized monitoring allows early identification of facial changes. This may support informed clinical decisions, personalized aesthetic interventions, or adjustments in weight management strategies.

Quantifiable skin analysis contributes to evidence-based digital dermatology and structured monitoring of facial changes associated with rapid weight loss.

Explore how Scarletred® Vision can further revolutionize skin imaging, monitoring and research here.

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