Hyperdilute Radiesse Preserves Facial Volume in Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Users Undergoing Rapid Weight Loss.

Durairaj KK, McCarthy AD, Yambao M, Linnemann-Heath J

Aesthetic surgery journal. Open forum21 Oct 2025Cited by 1 (Europe PMC)

PMID41127050PMCIDPMC12538281DOI10.1093/asjof/ojaf088PepBankPUB-41127050

Summary

Biostimulators like hyperdiluted calcium hydroxylapatite-carboxymethylcellulose (CaHA-CMC; Radiesse, Merz North America, Franksville, WI) are effective in promoting neocollagenesis and restoring facial volume. The emergence of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP1RAs) for weight loss has introduced a subset of patients experiencing rapid weight loss with associated facial-volume changes, colloquially known as "Ozempic Face" (Novo Nordisk, Bagsvaerd, Denmark). This case series describes 4 patients on GLP1RAs who, despite rapid weight loss, maintained facial volume following treatment with hypderilute CaHA-CMC in the lower face. Four patients undergoing rapid weight loss with GLP1RA were retrospectively evaluated following hyperdilute (1:3) CaHA-CMC treatment in the lower face. Patient demographics, BMI, average weight loss, and follow-up assessments were reviewed. Responses were evaluated using standardized photographs, the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), and patient satisfaction surveys. All 4 GLP1RA users completed both treatment sessions and 6 months follow-up. They lost an average of 24.3 ± 10.4 lb, equivalent to -9.2 ± 4.8% of baseline body weight, yet objective facial metrics remained stable or improved. Average cheek volume increased 9.8%, jowl volume declined 55.8%, nasolabial-fold depth decreased 46.2%, and marionette-line depth decreased 20.6%. At 6 months, investigator GAIS rated every patient "improved" or "much improved," and 100% of patients reported being "satisfied" or "very satisfied." Hyperdilute CaHA-CMC may offer benefits in preserving facial volume for patients undergoing weight loss with GLP-1 agonists. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and optimize treatment protocols for this population. Level of Evidence: 4 (Therapeutic).

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study7

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone7

In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Semaglutide.

01HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In 4 patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists (drug not specified), average body weight loss was 9.2% of baseline over follow-up.
In plain wordsIn 4 patients on GLP-1 drugs, average weight loss was 9.2% of starting body weight.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseBody weight loss in GLP-1 RA users
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Weight loss
9.2 % of baseline
GLP1RA users
Weight loss
24.3 lb
GLP1RA users
Source sentences
Summary
They lost an average of 24.3 ± 10.4 lb, equivalent to -9.2 ± 4.8% of baseline body weight, yet objective facial metrics remained stable or improved.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four patients undergoing rapid weight loss with GLP1RA were retrospectively evaluated following hyperdilute (1:3) CaHA-CMC treatment in the lower face.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4112705001
02HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In 4 GLP-1 receptor agonist users with rapid weight loss, hyperdilute CaHA-CMC treatment was followed by a 9.8% increase in average cheek volume.
In plain wordsIn 4 patients on GLP-1 drugs, average cheek volume rose 9.8% after a facial filler treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseCheek volume after hyperdilute CaHA-CMC
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Skin and hair · Skin and wound
Measurements
Cheek volume change
9.8%
after CaHA-CMC
Source sentences
Summary
Average cheek volume increased 9.8%, jowl volume declined 55.8%, nasolabial-fold depth decreased 46.2%, and marionette-line depth decreased 20.6%.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four patients undergoing rapid weight loss with GLP1RA were retrospectively evaluated following hyperdilute (1:3) CaHA-CMC treatment in the lower face.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4112705002
03HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In 4 GLP-1 receptor agonist users with rapid weight loss, hyperdilute CaHA-CMC treatment was followed by a 55.8% decline in jowl volume.
In plain wordsIn 4 patients on GLP-1 drugs, jowl volume fell 55.8% after a facial filler treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseJowl volume after hyperdilute CaHA-CMC
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Skin and hair · Skin and wound
Measurements
Jowl volume change
−55.8%
after CaHA-CMC
Source sentences
Summary
Average cheek volume increased 9.8%, jowl volume declined 55.8%, nasolabial-fold depth decreased 46.2%, and marionette-line depth decreased 20.6%.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four patients undergoing rapid weight loss with GLP1RA were retrospectively evaluated following hyperdilute (1:3) CaHA-CMC treatment in the lower face.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4112705003
04HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In 4 GLP-1 receptor agonist users with rapid weight loss, hyperdilute CaHA-CMC treatment was followed by a 46.2% decrease in nasolabial-fold depth.
In plain wordsIn 4 patients on GLP-1 drugs, nasolabial-fold depth fell 46.2% after a facial filler treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseNasolabial-fold depth after hyperdilute CaHA-CMC
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Skin and hair · Skin and wound
Measurements
Nasolabial-fold depth change
−46.2%
after CaHA-CMC
Source sentences
Summary
Average cheek volume increased 9.8%, jowl volume declined 55.8%, nasolabial-fold depth decreased 46.2%, and marionette-line depth decreased 20.6%.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four patients undergoing rapid weight loss with GLP1RA were retrospectively evaluated following hyperdilute (1:3) CaHA-CMC treatment in the lower face.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4112705004
05HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
In 4 GLP-1 receptor agonist users with rapid weight loss, hyperdilute CaHA-CMC treatment was followed by a 20.6% decrease in marionette-line depth.
In plain wordsIn 4 patients on GLP-1 drugs, marionette-line depth fell 20.6% after a facial filler treatment.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseMarionette-line depth after hyperdilute CaHA-CMC
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Skin and hair · Skin and wound
Measurements
Marionette-line depth change
−20.6%
after CaHA-CMC
Source sentences
Summary
Average cheek volume increased 9.8%, jowl volume declined 55.8%, nasolabial-fold depth decreased 46.2%, and marionette-line depth decreased 20.6%.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four patients undergoing rapid weight loss with GLP1RA were retrospectively evaluated following hyperdilute (1:3) CaHA-CMC treatment in the lower face.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4112705005
06HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
At 6 months after hyperdilute CaHA-CMC, the investigator rated every one of 4 GLP-1 receptor agonist users as improved or much improved.
In plain wordsSix months after a facial filler treatment, the investigator rated all 4 patients on GLP-1 drugs as improved or much improved.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
IncreaseInvestigator-rated Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale at 6 months
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Skin and hair · Skin and wound
Source sentences
Summary
At 6 months, investigator GAIS rated every patient "improved" or "much improved,"
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four patients undergoing rapid weight loss with GLP1RA were retrospectively evaluated following hyperdilute (1:3) CaHA-CMC treatment in the lower face.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4112705006
07HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome
At 6 months after hyperdilute CaHA-CMC, all 4 GLP-1 receptor agonist users reported being satisfied or very satisfied.
In plain wordsSix months after a facial filler treatment, all 4 patients on GLP-1 drugs said they were satisfied or very satisfied.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
Not applicablePatient satisfaction at 6 months
Study
n = 4
Outcome group
Skin and hair · Skin and wound
Measurements
Satisfied or very satisfied
100%
patients
Source sentences
Summary
and 100% of patients reported being "satisfied" or "very satisfied."
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Four patients undergoing rapid weight loss with GLP1RA were retrospectively evaluated following hyperdilute (1:3) CaHA-CMC treatment in the lower face.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4112705007

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 00:04 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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