Why does my face still look fat after losing weight?

Author: Vito Kertzmann  |  Last update: Monday, January 26, 2026

Water retention causes swelling and puffiness in various parts of the body, including the face. This may give the illusion of excess facial fat.

Why am I not losing fat from my face?

Weight loss happens at different rates across the body due to genetics and fat distribution. The face often loses fat last because it has smaller fat stores compared to other areas. Additionally, factors like water retention, inflammation, and sodium intake may make the face appear fuller.

Why am I losing weight but my face is puffy?

Hormonal fluctuations, such as those associated with menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, or certain medical conditions like hypothyroidism, can lead to a swollen face. These changes often cause your body to retain water, resulting in puffiness in the face and other areas like the hands, feet, and abdomen.

Why am I slim but have a fat face?

Genetics: Some people are genetically predisposed to store fat in specific areas of their bodies, including the face and neck. This can lead to a fuller appearance regardless of overall body fat percentage.

Why does my face look worse after weight loss?

Collagen, a protein in the body that aids skin elasticity, is lost alongside fat when you lose weight, and since we already lose collagen as we age, weight loss can cause the skin to droop, accentuating those lines and wrinkles.

Does Your Face Still Look Fat After All The Weight Loss? | Dr. Jyoti Gupta

Why is my face still chubby after losing weight?

Although losing weight can help you reduce excess fat in your cheeks, you cannot specifically target fat stored in your face. Hence, you may lose weight and still have full cheeks. The only way to directly target the fat deposits in your face to make the cheeks smaller is by getting plastic surgery.

Which body part loses fat first, a woman?

Men's bodies generally respond to dieting by the loss of more weight at their trunk and women typically shed the excess weight from the hips area. The causes of it are related both to hormonal influence and the application of whole-body composition.

Is a chubby face attractive?

Facial fat significantly impacts facial attractiveness, as it can alter the shape and contours of the face, leading to a less defined appearance. Weight gain can result in a puffier face with rounded features and a less prominent jawline, while weight loss can enhance facial angles and create a more sculpted look.

Why am I losing body fat but gaining face fat?

Another common myth is that only overweight people have rounded cheeks. This is not the case. Facial fat can accumulate in people of all ages, genders, races, and levels of fitness. Genetics, bone structure, water retention, and other factors can all lead to a propensity to have a fatter face.

Does drinking water reduce face fat?

When your body is dehydrated, it tends to retain water, which can make your face look bloated or swollen. Staying hydrated helps flush out excess sodium and reduces water retention, which makes your face appear slimmer. It also supports proper metabolism and digestion, aiding in overall fat loss.

Why does my face look fatter even though I'm losing weight?

Water retention causes swelling and puffiness in various parts of the body, including the face. This may give the illusion of excess facial fat. People who suspect they are sensitive to fluid retention should try to limit foods with high salt content. This includes most processed meals and snacks.

What does cortisol face look like?

The swelling can make your face look round and puffy. Moon face is a common side effect of corticosteroid use and a symptom of certain health conditions. Although harmless, the condition can affect your self-esteem. The medical term for this is moon facies, but other people call it cortisol face.

How can I regain my face weight?

It is not possible to specifically target the face when gaining extra weight naturally. However, gaining weight overall can help people achieve a fuller facial appearance. Working out the facial muscles can make them stronger, which may make the face appear fuller.

Why is face fat the hardest to lose?

Why is it so tough to lose face fat? Muscles on our face are often not engaged during exercise. “This leads to an underutilisation of facial adipose tissues for energy, making it tough to target this specific area,” explains Archana.

What is the Ozempic face?

Ozempic face is a colloquial term, not a medically recognized condition. It describes the facial changes that can accompany rapid weight loss when using medications like Ozempic or another version of the same drug (generic name semaglutide) FDA-approved for weight-loss treatment.

How can I slim down my face?

How to lose face fat
  1. Try facial exercises. Some small studies on facial exercises suggest they can tone facial features, potentially making your face look slimmer. ...
  2. Increase your cardio and strength training. ...
  3. Reduce alcohol intake. ...
  4. Be smart about carbs. ...
  5. Get enough sleep. ...
  6. Monitor your sodium intake.

Why am I skinny but my face is chubby?

The primary cause of a fat face is excess fat in the buccal fat pads. Why is my face fat but not my body? You may have a genetic pre-disposition to chubby cheeks even though you have a slim body. Also, some people are born with thicker buccal fat pads in their cheeks while the rest of their bodies are slim.

What foods help slim your face?

Cut out sugary drinks, processed foods, and refined carbs. Instead, focus on eating whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. These healthy food choices will help to boost your metabolism and promote weight loss. Incorporate some cardio into your routine.

How long does it take to lose face fat?

How long does it take to lose face fat? It could take a few weeks to lose facial fat. At 20% body fat, facial fat usually disappears, and a healthy weight loss programme can aid people in losing 0.5–1% of their body fat per week.

Do chubbier faces age better?

Round faces tend to age very well compared to other face shapes due to the fact they store a lot of fat in the cheek area. This can keep you looking younger for longer than those who lose fat quicker. As the round-face gets older, less elasticity in the skin and some fat loss cause the cheeks to sag downwards.

What is the hardest area for a woman to lose fat?

Areas Where Fat Can Be Hardest to Lose
  • Abdomen. More fat cells reside around the stomach than in other parts of the body, making it particularly susceptible to weight gain. ...
  • Thighs. For women, the main reason for weight gain in the thighs is estrogen. ...
  • Upper Arms. ...
  • What You Can Do.

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