You might have heard of "Ozempic face." But how about Ozempic temples?
In the era of GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, plastic surgeons say they're seeing an increase in patients seeking a niche treatment in a high-risk area of the face. The issue? "Temporal hollowing," or "temporal wasting" − which, they say, involves loss of volume in the temples, due to rapid weight loss.
And how important, exactly, are full temples to a youthful complexion? Apparently, very.
"A patient will come in and go, 'Why do I look disturbed? Why do I look suddenly older? What is it about me?' " says Dr. Terry Dubrow, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California, who has appeared on reality shows like "Botched" and "The Real Housewives of Orange
County." And one of the strongest characteristics of the 'Ozempic face' is the loss of volume in the temple."
What is 'temporal hollowing'?
Facial aesthetics is a subtle art. Small changes make big differences. And the best cosmetic procedures, plastic surgeons have told USA TODAY, involve nuance. They don't take a one-size-fits-all approach, and they balance features within each individual's unique complexion.
The temples are close to the brain, but they're often the last thing on patients' minds when they come in for a plastic surgery consultation. Often, surgeons say, patients who have experienced rapid weight loss on GLP-1s say they know something's different about their face, but they can't pinpoint what.
Though people rarely notice or think about temples, Dubrow says the fullness of that facial region communicates significant information. Slight changes in depth can make someone look older or even dehydrated, he says.
"It takes your face out of its youthful balance," he says. "When you look at a youthful face − when you look at kids, babies − the temple area is very full."
In short, he adds, temporal hollowing is the "hallmark of aging, hallmark of illness, hallmark of dehydration and the absolute hallmark of the Ozempic face."
But overcorrecting temporal hollowing by adding too much fat or filler can cause problems as well, says Dr. Krishna Vyas, a plastic surgeon at Blechman Plastic Surgery.
"You don't want to necessarily overfill the face with fat, because that results in other problems that may not be as aesthetic," he says. "Certain areas of the face you want to accentuate. Other areas you want to enhance."
How is 'temporal hollowing' treated?
Temporal hollowing can be treated a number of ways. The most common is with filler. Others may opt for surgical intervention, like a fat transfer.
But the temples are a "high risk area" for filler, Dubrow says. They're full of veins and arteries. If something goes wrong, you could go blind. That's why it's essential to only seek filler − or any medical intervention for that matter − from a legitimate medical professional.
Dubrow also wants people to know temporal hollowing can be avoided altogether by losing weight gradually. When people on GLP-1s follow doctors' instructions, it's usually not a problem.
When people take matters into their own hands, that's when they're more likely to suffer from temporal hollowing.
"Don't go too fast. Don't try to go up in the dose too quickly. Do exactly what you're supposed to do," Dubrow says. Unfortunately, he adds, many people don't.
"They're getting them online − TikTok influencers, gym bros, chiropractors," he says. "They're sort of DIYing their GLPs. ... They don't really understand that it's designed to slowly build up and get to a point where your food noise is gone, and you are in control of your appetite, rather your appetite being in control of you."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ozempic is giving people 'temporal hollowing.' Doctors are sounding an alarm.
