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The popular weight loss drug Ozempic is reportedly causing an unexpected side effect known as “Ozempic feet,” characterized by loose and wrinkled skin on the feet due to rapid weight reduction. This emerging cosmetic concern joins “Ozempic face” and “Ozempic butt” as potential aesthetic drawbacks linked to significant body fat changes from weight loss medications.
Ozempic Feet: A New Cosmetic Concern
As weight loss drugs like Ozempic gain popularity, particularly in Hollywood, experts are cautioning about noticeable physical changes. Dr. Barry Weintraub, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York, explained that rapid fat loss from drugs like Ozempic can disrupt water retention, leading to pronounced skin sagging, especially in areas like the feet.
Ozempic, along with similar medication Mounjaro, is approved for type 2 diabetes treatment but is frequently used off-label for weight management, especially among celebrities. Recent data suggests a significant portion of the American population has used GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic for weight loss.
Celebrity Speculation and “Ozempic Feet”
Public attention is now turning to celebrities like Sharon Osbourne and Oprah Winfrey, who have openly discussed using weight loss medications. Some observers suggest they might be exhibiting early signs of “Ozempic feet.”
Sharon Osbourne
Comments on a recent social media post by Sharon Osbourne, 72, noted wrinkled skin on her feet, contrasting with her seemingly smooth facial appearance. Observant commentators pointed to this as a possible sign of significant weight loss effects.
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Oprah Winfrey
Similarly, viewers noted wrinkling on Oprah Winfrey’s feet during a public appearance at the NAACP Image Awards. Winfrey, 71, has acknowledged using weight loss medication to manage her weight after years of fluctuating weight.
The Science Behind Sagging Feet
The skin on the top of the feet is thin and delicate with minimal fat. Natural aging can deplete fat pads in the feet, leading to looser skin. However, Dr. Weintraub suggests that weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro can accelerate this process by drastically reducing fat throughout the body, including the feet, resulting in increased sagging and wrinkling due to fat and potential muscle loss.
Followers highlighted the wrinkling on Osbourne’s feet in her post, noting the contrast between her seemingly filtered facial skin and the appearance of her feet. Online comments speculated about the discrepancy between her facial and foot skin.
While some attributed the changes to natural aging, Dr. Weintraub believes the rapid weight loss associated with drugs like Ozempic is a more likely explanation.
Expert Explanation: Water Retention and Skin Sagging
Dr. Weintraub elaborated, stating that the visibility of veins and sagging skin on the feet is likely due to reduced water retention resulting from a lower BMI achieved through Ozempic or similar weight loss medications. As the body adjusts to reduced weight, decreased water retention can make underlying foot structures like veins and tendons more prominent.
Osbourne has previously mentioned discontinuing Ozempic due to excessive weight loss. Winfrey has admitted to using a GLP-1 drug to lose weight and has described these medications as maintenance tools for weight management.
In February, photographs of Winfrey at the NAACP Image Awards showed looser skin on her feet. Winfrey has not publicly commented on experiencing side effects from Ozempic or similar drugs.
Winfrey, formerly associated with WeightWatchers, has shifted her perspective, acknowledging the role of weight loss drugs in managing weight and suggesting they offer insight into the natural weight of individuals who are naturally thin.
She stated that using a GLP-1 drug made her realize that thin individuals may not necessarily possess greater willpower but may have different biological factors influencing their weight.
Addressing “Ozempic Feet”: Potential Treatments
Dr. Weintraub suggests potential cosmetic solutions for “Ozempic feet,” including a “foot lift” surgical procedure to remove excess skin through discreet incisions on the sides of the feet. He also mentioned Skinvive, an injectable skin plumper, as a non-surgical option to improve skin appearance on the feet, similar to its use on hands to minimize the visibility of veins and tendons.
Other “Ozempic Body” Concerns: Face and Buttocks
“Ozempic feet” is part of a broader trend of cosmetic changes linked to rapid weight loss from Ozempic and similar treatments. “Ozempic face,” characterized by a gaunt appearance with sunken eyes and sagging facial skin, has been observed in celebrities. Public figures like Katy Perry, Scott Disick, and Jessica Simpson have been identified by some as exhibiting signs of “Ozempic face” after noticeable weight loss.
Additionally, “Ozempic butt” describes the diminished and deflated appearance of buttocks following significant weight loss with GLP-1 drugs. Some individuals report a noticeable loss of volume in their buttocks, leading to self-consciousness about their appearance.