What is Ozempic face?

It refers to a gaunt, hollow and sagging appearance in the face characterised by:

· Loss of facial volume: fat pads in the cheeks, temples and around the eyes diminish.

· Increased skin laxity and sagging: The skin loses its underlying support and doesn’t always have time to contract, leading to more pronounced nasolabial folds (smile or laugh lines), marionette lines (lines from mouth to chin) and jowls.

· A more aged or tired appearance: The overall effect can make a person look older than they did prior to weight loss.

The Cause: Facial fat provides structural support giving the face its plump, youthful contours. With rapid weight loss, you lose this subcutaneous fat quickly. Simultaneously, the skins collagen and elastin fibres which have been stretched, may not rebound effectively, especially on older individuals or those with significant loss. Think of it like a balloon that deflates; it doesn’t always shrink back to its original size.

How to avoid or minimise this?

The goal is to achieve weight loss in a way that gives your skin the best chance to adapt.

· It is vital that you lose weight gradually. Losing 1-2 pounds per week is more sustainable and allows skin more time to contract, than losing weight very rapidly.

· Prioritise protein. Consume adequate, high-quality protein such as lean meats, fish and eggs since protein provides the amino acids necessary for collagen and elastin production, crucial for skin strength and elasticity.

· Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day since well-hydrated skin is more resilient and has better elasticity.

· Focus on skin health nutrients:

Vitamin C – Essential for collagen synthesis and can be found in citrus fruits, bell peppers and broccoli.

Zinc & Copper – Cofactors in collagen production and can be found in nuts & seeds.

Healthy Fats – Omega-3’s (from fish, flaxseed & walnuts), help maintain skin barrier health.

· Protect from the Sun: UV radiation breaks down collagen. Daily use of a broad-spectrum SPF 50 Sun Cream is non-negotiable. (SOS SPF 50 Sun Cream)

· Incorporate strength training: Building muscle mass can help provide underlying support and improve overall body composition.

Skincare regime

Look for formulations with actives that can replace lost volume, stimulate collagen and tighten the skin. Hyaluronic Acid is a benchmark humectant to draw moisture into the skin and provide plumping. SOS H20 Day Cream SPF 30 and SOS Night both contain effective levels of standardised natural hyaluronic acid in a natural sodium salt. It is a moisturising factor that prevents water evaporation and absorbs and stores moisture, improving skin condition and smoothing wrinkles over the longer term. SOS Night’s unique and patented formulation contains three actives to work individually and collectively during your nightly triptic stages of skin cell regeneration, as well as vitamins and minerals to stimulate the skin’s A.T.P. (Adenosine Triphosphate) function of cellular renewal and moisture retention. The epidermis is constantly regenerating, and the metabolic activity relies on Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) for its energy.

Look for formulations with Plant Stem Cells (SOS H20 Day Cream SPF 30) and Exosomes. Stimulated Stem Cell technology is an innovative process that pushes plant stem cells to overproduce bioactive compounds to further boost the efficacy of the plant stem cell-derived active ingredients (White Truffle can be found in SOS H20 Day Cream SPF 30). When used in skin care the idea is that they help your skin cells regenerate helping to combat anti-ageing signs and improve overall skin health.

Exosomes are nanoscale particles formally discovered in the 80’s. They play a major role in how cells message one another to reproduce. Most living things produce their own exosomes which contain lipids and peptides – the building blocks for glowing skin. As we age the numbers and thus the messages SLOW. In recent years, development labs have extracted exosomes from plants – introducing them into skin and hair care formulations and treatments.

Collagen promoting can dramatically improve the elasticity of the skin and reduce wrinkles. The body continues to make collagen but at a reduced amount as you age. There are ways of boosting collagen production; a healthy diet, collagen supplements, hyaluronic acid products and vitamin C.

BUT the best thing you can do it protect your existing internal collagen bank – protect your skin from the environments. Always use sun cream products with an SPF value. If you must sunbathe, think about a double application of sun cream. Apply the first layer 15-30 minutes before the beach and then apply another layer (SPF 50) when you hit the sun. Its like getting a protective coat of armour.

The knight in shining armour is SOS SPF 50 Sun Cream, the perfect collagen protector.

Lose weight but not in your face, SOS is here to help you – naturally!

Weight-loss Injections (Ozempic) & the Skin