Swiss Skincare Company Galderma Group Promises Solution for 'Ozempic Face'
Individuals striving to shed pounds may find themselves facing an unexpected challenge: 'Ozempic face', a term coined to describe the sunken appearance some experience after using weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. However, Swiss skincare company Galderma Group is stepping in with a promising solution.
Ozempic is an injectable drug that contains the substance semaglutide, which prompts the body to produce more insulin and is therefore used in type 2 diabetes. This substance has been approved and is widely used in America as a medicine and for the treatment of obesity.
Ozempic has been making waves in Hollywood and beyond. Celebrities such as Sharon Osbourne have reportedly used it to achieve significant weight loss. However, along with shedding pounds, some users have noticed a loss of volume in their faces, leading to a sunken and aged appearance.
The demand for Ozempic and similar weight-loss medications has surged in recent years, with more than nine million prescriptions being written for the drug in the last three months of 2022 in the United States alone.
“The face of Ozempic is essentially the same features we see when patients experience rapid or regular weight loss. We see a loss of volume in the face and when we lose fat in the face we see signs like the cheeks are more sunken, the skin is more droopy and there is a general hollowing of the features. Sometimes this can make the person actually look older – because the fat in our cheeks is what gives us a more youthful appearance,” said Dr Smita Ramanadham, a plastic surgeon in New Jersey, speaking to the Daily Mail.
Galderma Group, known for its brands such as Cetaphil and Alastin, aims to address this issue with their Sculptra skin care product and other fillers.
Expressing the company’s confidence in the ability to restore lost volume caused by weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Fleming Ornskov, Chief Executive Officer of Galderma spoke of the the potential for growth in this area, emphasising the importance of meeting the rising demand for solutions to "Ozempic face."
According to Galderma its ‘Sculptra’ product works by boosting collagen production, offering a potential remedy for wrinkles and other signs of aging associated with weight loss.
Ornskov was speaking as the company reported its first earnings as a listed company. Galderma, whose brands also include Cetaphil and Alastin, saw sales rise 12 percent to $1.07 billion in the first quarter.
Galderma's shares have rallied since last month's IPO, making it one of the year's most successful initial public offerings amid the recent capital markets drought.
Ornskov, who has been at the helm since 2019, said China is Galderma's fastest growing market and is on track to become the third or fourth largest by the end of the year. He also identified Japan as the next opportunity, which he is "in the process of attacking".
Galderma's efforts to address "Ozempic face" reflect a growing awareness of the side effects associated with weight loss drugs and the need for comprehensive solutions. As the skincare company continues to innovate, individuals seeking to slim down may soon have access to treatments that not only help them achieve their weight loss goals but also maintain a youthful and vibrant appearance.
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