What “Ozempic Face” Really Is and Why Filler Isn’t Always the Answer—with Dr. Daniel Gould

GLP-1 medications have transformed weight management—and introduced “Ozempic face” into the aesthetic conversation. But are GLP-1s themselves changing the face, or are we seeing the natural effects of significant weight loss unfolding faster than the skin can adapt?This week, Carmine sits down with Dr. Daniel Gould, a board-certified plastic surgeon with a PhD in bioengineering and Section Editor for Regenerative Medicine at Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Dr. Gould has coauthored published research examining both facial changes associated with GLP-1 use and the role facial vectors play in natural-looking face and neck lifts.Together, they unpack what “Ozempic face” really is, including the loss of facial volume and structural support that can leave skin looking deflated, crepey or lax. Dr. Gould explains why nutrition, protein and essential vitamins become especially important when appetite and calorie intake decrease—and why patients may need to give their bodies considerably more time to adjust before pursuing an aesthetic treatment.They also explore why adding filler can sometimes make the face larger without correcting descended tissue; how surgeons decide between filler, fat transfer, energy-based treatments and surgery; and why the direction in which facial tissue is repositioned can mean the difference between restoration and the unnatural, pulled look patients fear.Finally, Carmine and Dr. Gould examine the beauty industry’s rush to turn the visible effects of weight loss into another problem consumers are told they need to fix—and why a healthier body, loose skin and all, should still be recognized as an extraordinary accomplishment.In this episode, you’ll learn:What “Ozempic face” actually is—and whether GLP-1 medications uniquely affect facial fat;Why rapid weight loss can leave the face looking deflated, crepey or lax;How inadequate protein and nutrient intake may affect the skin and the body during weight loss;Why Dr. Gould recommends allowing time for weight and facial tissue to stabilize before considering surgery;Why adding facial volume doesn’t necessarily correct tissue that has shifted or descended;What a facial vector is and why it matters for natural-looking facelift results;Why the aesthetic industry was so quick to market solutions for “Ozempic face”;And, how patients can approach aesthetic changes without diminishing the health achievement that weight loss may represent.Key Takeaway“Ozempic face” is not a single condition with a single solution. Significant weight loss can affect facial volume, structural support, skin quality and nutrition—and those changes may continue evolving long after the weight comes off. Before rushing toward filler, devices or surgery, patients should allow time for their weight to stabilize, protect their nutrition and determine whether the concern is truly lost volume, descended tissue or both.As Dr. Gould emphasizes, the goal should not be to create a different face. It should be to restore the face naturally—if the patient decides anything needs to be corrected at all.Connect with Dr. Gould on Instagram at @faces_by_dr_gould and at dr.gouldplasticsurgery. Discover his groundbreaking work at Gould Aesthetics on YouTube here.—Follow Skincarma on Instagram and on TikTok. Catch product reviews of Carmine’s top picks of the best skincare on the Skincarma Blog. You can also connect with Carmine on Substack and LinkedIn – and explore his extensive work in beauty on the Carmine Montalto INK website here.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and/or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Substack, or <a target="_blank" href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7bGZdDAmYChhO1-WsRyu26P