It all started when my friend and fellow content creator Rebecca Berman, @standupfoodie, sent me an Instagram Story.

The headline?

“MARTHA SAVED US FROM GLP-1 SAGGY SKIN.”

Apparently, the women in the post had discovered Elm Biosciences A3O Serum and Night Cream after experiencing sagging skin from GLP-1 weight loss, and two weeks later, they said people were telling them how great their skin looked.

Well, you know what happened next.

I went down the rabbit hole.

Because while everyone is talking about “Ozempic face,” I have another question:

What about Ozempic legs?

Let me start by saying I am thrilled with my weight loss.

I’ve lost a significant amount of weight with the help of a GLP-1 medication. I feel better. My clothes fit better. And I absolutely do not want the weight back.

But my legs?

That’s another story.

I’ve noticed that the skin on my thighs and especially around my knees looks looser, thinner and more crepey than it used to.

So when Rebecca sent me that Instagram Story, I immediately wondered:

Wait. Is there a cream for this? Have I somehow missed the miracle product?

And that’s when the research began.

Is “Ozempic Legs” Actually a Thing?

Technically, no. “Ozempic legs” isn’t an official medical diagnosis. I actually came up with that myself.

What we’re really talking about is what can happen to the body after significant or rapid weight loss. As we lose weight, we also lose some of the fat that was previously giving our skin volume and support.

And depending on your age, genetics, sun exposure, how much weight you’ve lost and how quickly you’ve lost it, your skin may not completely bounce back.

In my case, it’s most noticeable above my knees and on my thighs.

Call it loose skin. Call it crepey skin.

I’m calling mine Ozempic legs.

Naturally, I’ve Already Started Buying Things

If you know me, you know I wasn’t going to sit around doing nothing.

I’ve already bought arnica cream and Dermend.

Will either one magically tighten the skin on my legs?

Probably not.

Arnica is generally marketed for the appearance of bruising and discoloration, while Dermend products are designed to moisturize and improve the appearance of thin, fragile or crepey-looking skin. A good moisturizer can certainly make dry, crepey skin look smoother and more hydrated.

But here’s what I’m learning:

Making skin look better and actually tightening loose skin are two very different things.

And unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a magic cream that replaces the volume you’ve lost underneath your skin.

Not even a very expensive one.

So, Do I Need the $300 Miracle Cream Rebecca Sent Me?

This is what sent me down the rabbit hole in the first place.

The Elm Biosciences products featured in the Instagram Story certainly sound luxurious, and I’m all for fabulous skincare.

But am I going to spend hundreds of dollars expecting a serum and night cream to lift and tighten the skin around my knees?

I’m not convinced.

A topical product may help skin appear more hydrated, plump and luminous. That’s great.

But it can’t replace lost fat or muscle, and it can’t dramatically tighten significant skin laxity.

For my legs, I think my money may be better spent elsewhere.

So What Can I Do About My Legs?

This is where my rabbit hole became a little more productive.

1. Investigate Radiofrequency Skin Tightening

This is probably the first professional treatment I’m going to ask about.

Radiofrequency treatments use controlled energy to heat deeper layers of the skin and stimulate collagen production.

I’m particularly curious about whether it could help the crepey, loose skin right above my knees.

I’m realistic. I’m not expecting the legs I had at 25.

But could they look a little firmer?

I’m willing to investigate.

2. Find Out About Other Skin-Tightening Treatments

Depending on the amount of laxity, there are also ultrasound, laser and more intensive minimally invasive treatments that may be worth discussing with a board-certified dermatologist.

And here’s where I’m going to be careful.

I’m not choosing a treatment because an influencer tells me it worked.

Yes, I realize the irony.

I’m going to find out what makes sense for my skin, my age and my body after significant weight loss.

3. I’m NOT Looking to Lose More Fat From My Legs

This was an important realization.

My goal isn’t necessarily to make my legs smaller.

I want them to look firmer.

If I’ve already lost some of the fat that was supporting my skin, removing even more may not necessarily give me the result I want.

So if I pursue a cosmetic treatment, my question isn’t going to be:

“How do I make my thighs skinnier?”

It’s going to be:

“How do I improve the quality and firmness of this skin?”

Big difference.

And Then There’s Exercise

I know.

There’s always a catch.

Apparently, I can’t just buy another jar of cream.

Building and maintaining muscle in my legs, particularly my quadriceps and glutes, may help improve the overall shape of my legs and provide more structure underneath the skin.

And at 65, maintaining muscle is important for reasons that go far beyond how my knees look in shorts.

So yes.

I probably need to lift some weights.

Would I Have Surgery?

At this point, no.

My issue seems to be more about crepey skin and some laxity around my thighs and knees, rather than large amounts of hanging excess skin.

I’m much more interested in seeing what can be accomplished with strength training, great skincare and possibly a professional skin-tightening treatment.

Here’s What I’m Going to Ask the Dermatologist

I’ve already decided exactly what I’m going to say:

“I’ve lost a significant amount of weight on a GLP-1, and I’m bothered by the crepey, loose skin above my knees and on my thighs. I don’t want fat reduction. What treatment will give me the most visible skin tightening, and can you show me before-and-after photos of patients my age with similar skin?”

Because here’s the thing:

Don’t show me a 35-year-old woman’s legs.

Show me the 60-plus legs.

Those are the before-and-afters I want to see.

Would I Trade My Weight Loss for My Old Legs?

Not for a second.

I’m happy I lost the weight. I’m happy with how I feel. And I’m grateful that GLP-1 medications helped me get here.

But I also think we should be honest about what can happen after the weight comes off.

We hear endlessly about Ozempic face.

But apparently there’s Ozempic butt, Ozempic arms and—at least in my house—Ozempic legs.

So thank you, Rebecca, for sending me one innocent Instagram Story and causing me to spend hours researching my knees.

I’ll be trying the creams I’ve already bought.

I’ll be investigating professional treatments.

I’ll try to lift some weights.

And, as always, I’ll report back.

Because apparently losing the weight was only Chapter One.