People tell me my new 'Ozempic face' makes me look 10 years younger... what do YOU think?
A woman who lost 60lbs on Ozempic says people tell her she looks like a teenager again.
Alejandra Salomon, 26, from Utah, weighed about 185lbs and was suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - a reproductive hormonal disorder known to cause weight gain.
However in October 2023, the marketing manager decided to start taking the blockbuster weight loss drug for her sister's wedding.
The Salt Lake City resident, who was once considered obese, shockingly ended up slimming to 121lbs in six months.
Salomon recalled: 'My weight loss made me look 10 years younger – no Botox needed. It looks like I got jawline filler but really, I lost 60lbs and got in the best shape of my life.
'It has without a doubt been the best decision for both my health and confidence. I've never been happier or healthier.'
But while other users have reported suffering from 'Ozempic face' – described as a gaunt and aged facial appearance - the manager managed to avoid any emergence of lines, wrinkles, sagging skin or sunken eyes.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, makes the body feel fuller, leading to a decrease in appetite and reduced calorie intake.
Due to the illusion of being full without food consumption, the body is forced to start burning up existing fat reserves in order to have calories for energy - leading to an overall reduction in fat levels and a loss of weight.
However, this can also result in a loss of facial fat which is essential for aesthetics and elasticity as well as protecting the face from damage.
But to prevent the most obvious side effect of using Ozempic appear on her face, Salomon began to exercising and ate a high protein diet throughout her weight loss journey – particularly the more weight she lost.
In a video detailing the process, she said: 'It started to work right away, but it wasn't just the GLP1 medication that helped me to lose weight. It is not an easy solution and is not a magic trick.
'I started to eat so much protein and switch up my workouts. At first [when taking the jab] I was going to the gym and walking on the treadmill.
'That helps, but you get to a point where you lose so much muscle with GLP that you need to rebuild it – and you can only do that by lifting weights and doing low intensity workouts.
Eating protein-rich foods such as poultry, seafood, eggs, nuts, legumes and beans can help increase the production of collagen and elastin.
The body uses the amino acids present in protein-rich foods to produce collagen and elastin - both of which are responsible for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity in the face.
An intake of high levels of protein can help boost collagen production and as a result, combat facial fat loss caused by Ozempic and maintain skin elasticity.
The Salt Lake City resident, who was once considered obese, shockingly ended up dropping about 60lbs in eight months and now merely weighs 121lbs
Commenting on the 'Ozempic face' phenomenon, Salomon said: 'A lot of people refer to 'Ozempic face' as a negative side effect to rapid weight loss.
'It's when your face slims down quickly and people forget that looking different isn't a bad thing.
'It's just one part of your health journey – and you're still you, just with sharper cheekbones.'
She also claims that the worst 'side effect' she has experienced has been unwarranted comments from critics.
Despite being told she would gain the weight back after coming off the drug, she has maintained her svelte physique nine months after stopping.
A transformed Salomon also says she has 'found herself again' with newfound confidence.
'I ended up losing 60lbs in eight months and am no longer on medication and am maintaining my weight!'
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