Skip to content 
Losing weight with GLP-1 medications like Ozempic® or Wegovy® can be life-changing, but many patients notice an unexpected side effect: hollow cheeks, sagging skin, and loss of facial radiance. This concern, often referred to as “Ozempic Face,” can make you look older or more tired than you feel, leaving you searching for ways to restore balance and confidence. At EvenFlow Aesthetics in Pittsford, NY, we provide advanced injectable treatments designed to address these changes safely and naturally. With the new Shape Up HIT™ protocol, which combines Sculptra® and Restylane® fillers, patients are experiencing long-lasting improvements in mid-face contour, hydration, and overall radiance. Understanding how this protocol works, what makes it unique, and what recent clinical studies reveal can help you determine if it is the right solution for restoring your natural vibrance after weight loss.
Understanding the Challenge of “Ozempic Face”
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy® have transformed weight loss for many people, making it easier to achieve and maintain healthier body goals. But along with the benefits, some patients notice unwanted changes in their face, often described as “Ozempic Face.” This condition refers to hollow cheeks, sagging skin, and loss of youthful fullness that can occur when weight loss leads to significant facial volume reduction.
These changes can leave patients feeling like their appearance does not reflect the vitality they feel inside. At EvenFlow Aesthetics in Pittsford, NY, we recognize how important facial balance and confidence are to overall well-being. That is why we are proud to offer the new Shape Up HIT™ protocol, an innovative approach developed by Galderma that combines Sculptra® and Restylane® Lyft or Contour to restore volume, boost hydration, and enhance radiance in a way that looks natural and long-lasting.
What Is the Shape Up HIT™ Protocol?
HIT stands for Holistic Individualized Treatment, and the Shape Up HIT™ protocol is a carefully designed injection strategy that uses two proven injectables together:
- Sculptra®: A biostimulator made with poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) that works deep in the skin to stimulate collagen production. Over time, this increases dermal thickness and restores a stronger skin foundation.
- Restylane® Lyft or Contour: Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers that provide immediate lift, improve hydration, and enhance contour in areas of volume loss such as the mid-face and cheeks.
When combined, these products deliver both short-term and long-term benefits, making them a cornerstone in modern facial rejuvenation. Patients notice quick improvements in facial volume and contour from the HA fillers, while Sculptra® continues to work over the following months to rebuild collagen, improve elasticity, and support healthier skin structure.
How the Treatment Works
The Shape Up HIT™ protocol was designed to address multiple layers of the skin and underlying tissue for a more comprehensive result. The treatment schedule in the 9-month study included:
- Week 0 (Initial Treatment): Sculptra® + Restylane® Lyft or Contour
- Week 4: Sculptra® with optional HA touch-up
- Week 8: Optional third Sculptra® injection
- Follow-Up Assessments: At 3 months (Week 16) and 9 months (Week 44)
This layered approach ensures immediate restoration of volume and hydration while promoting gradual, natural-looking improvements in skin structure and quality.
9-Month Clinical Results: What the Data Shows
The Shape Up HIT™ study evaluated patients over nine months and demonstrated consistent improvements across several key areas:
- Mid-Face Contour: Noticeable lift and balance as early as Month 3, with results sustained through Month 9. Cheeks appeared fuller, reducing the hollow look often associated with rapid weight loss.
- Skin Hydration: Significant increase in skin hydration observed at Week 4, with lasting improvement through Month 9. This helped restore suppleness and elasticity.
- Dermal Thickness: Progressive thickening of the skin due to collagen stimulation from Sculptra®, resulting in a stronger, healthier foundation.
- Radiance: Visible glow and refreshed appearance by Month 3, lasting through the end of the study.
Patient Satisfaction
Numbers tell part of the story, but patient experiences help bring the data to life. In the Shape Up HIT™ study, feedback was consistently positive from start to finish. By Week 4, more than 85% of participants reported that they looked “refreshed” and felt more confident in their appearance. By Month 9, that satisfaction grew even stronger, with 91% of patients saying they would recommend the treatment to others.
Beyond appearance, patients valued the combination of quick improvements and ongoing changes over time. Many noted that they appreciated seeing visible results early in the process while also experiencing progressive improvements in hydration, contour, and radiance as the months went on.
Equally important, the study confirmed a strong safety profile. No serious adverse events were reported, and the treatment was well tolerated by participants. This balance of effectiveness, safety, and high patient satisfaction makes Shape Up HIT™ a powerful option for those looking to address facial volume loss from GLP-1 medications.
Why This Protocol Matters for Patients on GLP-1 Medications
For patients experiencing facial changes related to GLP-1 medication use, Shape Up HIT™ is more than just an aesthetic option. It is a way to restore confidence and balance. Unlike single-product treatments, this protocol addresses multiple concerns:
- Immediate Volume Loss: Restylane® fillers provide an instant lift and fullness.
- Gradual Structural Support: Sculptra® builds collagen for long-term improvement.
- Skin Quality: Both hydration and dermal thickness improve, leading to healthier, more radiant skin.
This combination makes Shape Up HIT™ a uniquely comprehensive solution to the effects of facial fat loss, whether from medication, aging, or weight reduction.
Beyond Volume: The Emotional Impact
The Galderma study highlighted that aesthetic treatments extend far beyond physical changes. They have the power to influence how people feel about themselves on a daily basis. Patients who underwent the Shape Up HIT™ protocol reported not only looking more refreshed but also experiencing renewed confidence and a stronger sense of self.
One of the most important findings was the balance of rapid and sustained improvements. Patients noticed cosmetic benefits such as smoother contour and improved skin quality early in the process, while continued collagen stimulation and hydration provided lasting results over the months that followed. These physical changes often translate into emotional benefits, including a more positive self-image and a greater sense of well-being.
By restoring harmony to the face, the treatment helps patients feel that their appearance reflects the vitality and health they have worked hard to achieve. For many, this combination of cosmetic and emotional rewards makes Shape Up HIT™ not just a treatment, but an important step in comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
Key Considerations for Shape Up HIT™
How Long Do Results Last?
The Shape Up HIT™ study demonstrated improvements that lasted throughout the full 9-month trial, with many patients continuing to see benefits beyond that point. Maintenance treatments can help extend these results even further, making the protocol a long-term solution for restoring volume and radiance.
Is Shape Up HIT™ Safe?
Both Sculptra® and Restylane® have been extensively studied and are known for their strong safety profiles. In the 9-month clinical trial, no serious adverse events were reported, which confirms that this combined approach is both effective and well-tolerated when performed by trained professionals.
What Makes This Approach Unique?
Traditional injectable treatments often use a single product to address one concern at a time. Shape Up HIT™ is different because it combines two advanced injectables that work in complementary ways. Restylane® provides immediate volume and hydration, while Sculptra® stimulates collagen for gradual, long-lasting improvements in skin thickness, contour, and elasticity. This dual approach creates results that are both immediate and progressive.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate?
Shape Up HIT™ is especially beneficial for patients who have experienced facial volume loss related to GLP-1 medications like Ozempic® or Wegovy®. It is also a powerful option for anyone noticing hollow cheeks, sagging skin, or loss of facial radiance due to weight loss or natural aging. During your consultation at EvenFlow Aesthetics, our team will determine whether this treatment is right for your goals and skin needs.
Why Choose EvenFlow Aesthetics for Shape Up HIT™ in Pittsford, NY
At EvenFlow Aesthetics, we are proud to be at the forefront of aesthetic medicine, offering scientifically validated treatments that deliver both immediate and sustained improvements. Guided by Victoria Fountaine, MS, FNP-C, our team combines advanced training with an evidence-driven philosophy to achieve results that are safe, natural-looking, and long-lasting. The Shape Up Holistic Individualized Treatment (HIT™) protocol reflects this commitment, as it replenishes facial fullness, enhances skin hydration and contour, and helps patients continue working toward their weight loss goals while also managing the unwanted side effects that sometimes come with it.
What makes us unique is our holistic approach to facial rejuvenation. In addition to the Shape Up HIT™ protocol, we incorporate EmFace, a noninvasive treatment that uses High Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Stimulation (HIFES) and Radiofrequency (RF) to address one of the core challenges of GLP-1 medication use: muscle loss. By naturally restoring the foundation of the face and building muscle mass back up, EmFace creates a stronger base for results. When combined with the collagen-stimulating benefits of Sculptra and the volume-restoring effects of Restylane, this multi-layered approach rejuvenates the face from deep within, delivering superior outcomes that are both natural and lasting.
We go beyond surface-level treatments by blending science, artistry, and innovation to create a patient experience that is truly individualized. Our philosophy ensures that every treatment plan supports not only your appearance but also your confidence and overall well-being at every stage of your journey.
Book a Consultation Today
Feel confident in your skin again and address the effects of “Ozempic Face” with the Shape Up HIT™ protocol at EvenFlow Aesthetics in Pittsford, NY.
