Weight-loss drugs linked to sudden temple hollowing, doctors warn

Doctors say rapid weight loss from GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic can cause “temporal wasting,” a hollowed-out look in the temples that makes patients appear older.

Recent clinical observations highlight a new side effect of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, termed “temporal wasting,” where rapid fat loss leads to hollowed temples and an older-looking face. Surgeons report an increase in patients complaining of a sudden, unsettling change in their appearance despite overall weight reduction. The condition is linked to popular medications including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, and differs from the broader “Ozempic face” sagging seen elsewhere on the face.

Corrective options like dermal fillers or fat grafts are available, yet the temple zone is considered high-risk for complications such as visual loss or nerve damage. A dietary supplement line from Replenza has been marketed to support facial volume, and experts suggest slower weight loss may lower the likelihood of this issue. The rise of a gray market for compounded GLP-1 drugs may exacerbate the problem as patients bypass medical supervision.