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Weight Loss and Face Loss: What You Need to Know

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Wednesday, April 10th, 2024

by Terri Harper, FNP-C

Introduction to Weight Loss Injections

One of my quotes that I use a lot with my patients is, “Either your face or your bottom can look good, but not both. If your face is full, and proportional, your bottom is likely larger than you want, and vice versa.” A pleasing appearance is all about balance: body figure balance, height and weight balance, facial features balance, etc. Excess weight and loss of weight affects balance of all body areas. With the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimating approximately 31% of Americans are “Overweight” and > 42% falling in the “Obese” category, the new weight loss “shots” have been life changing for people of all ages.

Following FDA approval for weight loss, the medications were originally indicated for treatment of type 2 diabetes but became desired by literally hundreds of thousands of Americans. In the quest to achieve a more balanced body, thousands of people are taking a shot (pun intended) with the popular diabetic drug injections. It is impossible to determine exactly how many Americans are currently using the drugs since they are not only available via prescription but are also compounded at pharmacies across the country, including mail orders. Semaglutide and other weight loss injections work by mimicking a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels, reduce appetite, and reduce gastric emptying. This trifecta mechanism of action induces weight loss in most people.

The benefits of weight loss for those overweight and in the obese categories carries tremendous health benefits. Many patients report getting off their medication for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and even diabetes. The control of these chronic diseases not only can instill confidence, but can also positively affect lifestyle changes saving the American health care system millions spent on chronic diseases whose etiology is obesity.

How Weight Loss Affects Your Face

While shedding unwanted weight yields physical benefits, there are negative consequential effects, as well. The facial skin is supported by fat pads creating a smooth underlying surface for the skin. Much to the chagrin of overweight people, the weight often comes off the face and the breast first, leaving both sagging. Common effects of rapid weight loss on facial features may include:

Loss of underlying support of facial skin can lead to more wrinkles and folds under the eyes creating tear troughs, dividing the cheek volume, and around the mouth.
Sometimes with substantial weight loss, the temple area will become sunken creating a skeletal appearance.
Cheek volume may descend lower losing definition and lift of the cheek. This descent may also create deep nasolabial folds which are the depressions from the corner of the nose down to the smile lines.
And lastly, and likely the most dreaded effect, is the appearance of jowls, creating the appearance of the facial skin spilling over the jaw and hangs from the face on both sides of the chin.

What can you do to help with these negative effects of weight loss?

Hydration: First, the simplest and cheapest step is to stay well hydrated. As your skin changes during weight loss, it needs extra hydration.

Skin care: Using medical-grade skin care can help maintain the integrity of the skin and decrease the appearance of fine lines that may appear due to weight loss.

Dermal filler: Replacing lost volume to restore balance to your facial features is a great option. Volume replacement can be accomplished in the mid-face at the cheeks and lower face around the mouth area and in the folds of the lower face. We have even successfully injected filler to camouflage the jowls. Filler in no way takes the place or accomplishes the same results as a surgical face lift, but volume restoration goes a long way toward supporting sagging skin and folds.

Botox®: With facial volume loss you may notice more lines across your forehead, at the frown area and the crow’s feet along the side of the eyes. If you think of the analogy or letting air out of a balloon and the balloon begins to shrivel, that is close to what happens with the facial skin when you lose underlying fat support. If your face “shrivels” from weight loss, Botox® may help decrease the appearance of lines.

Our lovely picture below is a patient who came to us after losing 80 pounds. This fabulous result is from a combination of Botox® and dermal filler.

In Conclusion

The positive side effects of weight loss drugs are hard to dispute. This revolutionary treatment is changing lives and helping to restore confidence to millions. We can help you complete your weight loss journey by helping you to instill confidence in your new facial features. From dermal fillers to medical-grade skincare, let our experienced team help guide you to a natural and refreshed you!

Macon (478) 743-2299 Madison (706) 719-3939

Spa Medical® is located in downtown Macon and Madison, Georgia, and offers surgical and non-surgical anti-aging procedures to help you look as young as you feel.