"Ozempic Face": An Emerging Drug-Related Aesthetic Concern and Its Treatment with Endotissutal Bipolar Radiofrequency (RF)-Our Experience

Abstract

Background/Objectives: "Ozempic face" is an aesthetic side effect associated with the use of the antidiabetic agent Ozempic (semaglutide), characterized by a prematurely aged and fatigued facial appearance due to rapid weight loss. Currently, treatment options for this condition are limited. In this study, we present our clinical experience with the BodyTite device, provided by InMode Italy S.r.l. (Rome, Italy). Materials and Methods: We report a case series involving 24 patients (19 women and 5 men, aged 27-65 years), treated with subdermal bipolar radiofrequency (Endotissutal Bipolar Radiofrequency) between 2023 and 2024. All patients underwent a minimum follow-up of 12 months. At the end of the follow-up period, patients rated their satisfaction on a from 0 to 10 scale, and an independent expert assessed the stability of clinical outcomes. Results: The majority of patients reported high satisfaction levels (≥8), which correlated with the independent expert's evaluation of treatment efficacy and result stability. The only observed adverse event was transient cutaneous erythema. Conclusions: "Ozempic face" is an increasingly common side effect associated with newer classes of antidiabetic medications. Although these drugs offer significant metabolic benefits, the accompanying facial volume loss and aging are often poorly tolerated by patients. Our findings suggest that subdermal bipolar radiofrequency represents a safe, low-risk, and cost-effective therapeutic option for the aesthetic management of Ozempic face.

Keywords: GLP-1 agonist receptor; Ozempic face; antidiabetic; diabetes mellitus; facial aging; non-surgical lifting; radiofrequency.

Figure 1

Graphic representation of Endotissutal Bipolar RF. The internal electrode generates heat that progressively decreases as it diffuses toward the surface, and the dermal layer is exposed to non-ablative thermal energy [20].

Figure 2

The BodyTite device, featuring its control panel and the handpiece composed of external and internal electrodes.

Figure 3

The four strategic regions targeted in the treatment of “Ozempic face” are the melolabial fold, the submandibular area, the submental area, and the labiomental sulcus.

Figure 4

Treatment of the strategic zones: submandibular area (a,b), submental region (c), and nasolabial fold (d).

Figure 5

Intraoperative procedure (a–d).

Figure 6

Green line: Patient satisfaction score (0–10); blue line: Expert’s evaluation of result stability 12 months post-treatment (0–10).

Figure 7

Histogram illustrating the frequency distribution of self-assessed aesthetic outcome scores by patients (blue), alongside expert’s evaluations of aesthetic result stability (red).

Figure 8

Patient’s appearance before (left) and after (right) Bipolar RF treatment; notable improvements are evident following a single session. The only side effect observed was localized erythema, which resolved spontaneously within five days.

Figure 9

Clinical case of a female patient undergoing treatment with Ozempic for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Notable findings included pronounced deepening of the nasolabial and labiomental folds, along with laxity of the cervical soft tissues. Significant aesthetic improvements were observed three months following radiofrequency (RF) treatment, with results well maintained at the 12-month follow-up.

Figure 10

Preoperative profile and 12-month follow-up of two female patients (a–d) treated for “Ozempic face.”.