What you need to know about the ever-rising numbers of Ozempic face
By Jennifer Couture
For many, Ozempic or Semiglutide for weight loss is magic. The downside? For some, it is what is being referred to as “Ozempic face.”
Any weight loss can lead to the loss and destruction of facial fat. The dermis and epidermis is no longer supported and held tight by the fat, so the skin can appear to deflate, much like letting air out of a balloon. Volume and fat loss may lead to a more significant decline in collagen, which can show up as droopy, crepey, delicately lined skin, highlighting the signs of aging.
The good news is there are many ways that you can address this, including dermal fillers or collagen stimulators. My favorite method for restoring the volume lost in the face is using your own body fat, by doing fat transfer (always by a board-certified plastic surgeon).
If there is severe skin laxity, the best option for someone may be a facelift and a neck lift to remove the loose skin, along with muscle and band tightening, finished off with a little fat transfer. Keep in mind the face, neck, and eyes age together, so look in the mirror. Do your eyes look tired? Don't forget to look at the balance of all features. Sometimes you must address all areas simultaneously to create a more natural-looking appearance.
But, if you aren’t quite ready for surgery or don't have the budget or downtime, there are many non-surgical options you can utilize to try to rejuvenate the skin and face. Consult with a professional about the medical-grade devices available.
We have to remember to preserve what we have. Prevention is key. Make sure you are using medical-grade skincare. I always recommend you start your "better face journey" with a high-factor sunscreen. Keeping your bathroom stocked with topical antioxidants, such as vitamins A, B & C, is essential. You can reverse the signs of aging, even correct sun damage, and remove unsightly dark spots easily. Doing a medical grade, deep chemical peel twice a year is always a good idea. Retin-A is your friend. It comes in many different formulations and can truly make a huge difference for all skin types. It’s even an amazing treatment for dry and crepey skin. I encourage patients to start cocktailing it together with an unscented body lotion on areas of the body like above the knee, on the chest, and even the arms.
Smart and Healthy at Any Age
By Dr. Deborah Houk
At every age and every stage, there are biological and gender-related differences that have significant impacts on women’s health, making it critical for women to be informed and take their health and wellness seriously. Here is an age-based review of health maintenance recommendations for women to empower them to attain optimal health.
10
As soon as women reach reproductive age, on average between the ages of 15 – 44 years old, cervical cancer and sexually transmitted infection screening including HIV testing should begin. If not started prior, the 20s are when cervical cancer screening begins, which includes a Pap smear every 3 years until 30, then Pap and HPV testing every 5 years after that until 65.
20
For all women, regardless of age, routine blood pressure measurements are done yearly to screen for high blood pressure. Starting in your 20s, or earlier if deemed high cardiac risk, women should start having their cholesterol checked at least once every 5 years and more often based on results and risk factors. Heart disease remains the number one killer of women.
40
At age 40, breast cancer screening is recommended. Women aged 40 and older are recommended to have mammograms and physician breast examinations every year.
45
Starting at age 45 (or sooner depending on risk), all women should have diabetes risk assessments done at least every 3 years. Hemoglobin A1C, which measures the average amount of sugar that’s in your blood, is the test of choice to diagnose diabetes.
50
Everyone is recommended to have colon cancer screening starting at age 50, however, experts also recommend starting as early as 10 years prior to the age of first detection of colon cancer in a close family member, or 40 if you have any family history of colon cancer, or 45 for African Americans. Screening is done with a colonoscopy (every 10 years), high-sensitivity fecal occult blood testing (yearly), and/or flexible sigmoidoscopy (every 5 years, with FOBT’s every 3 years), and varies depending on results.
55
55 is the start of lung cancer screening. A low-dose CT of the lungs is recommended for women aged 55 to 74 who have a history of smoking that increases their risk for lung cancer. Man or woman, if you smoke at any age, please stop, as any amount of smoking is harmful and leads to cancer, heart disease, and death.
65
At age 65 or starting at menopause depending on risk factors, women begin screening for osteoporosis through bone-density testing (DXA Scan). Osteoporosis is one disease women are at higher risk of developing than men due to hormonal changes that affect bone density. DebHoukMD.com
