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Why do I gain weight in my face first?

Author

Daniel Moore

Published Jan 14, 2026

While everyone loses weight differently, dropping as little as 3 to 5 pounds can show up on your face first, Eboli says. That's because when you exercise your whole body (and eat healthy), you burn fat all over.

Why does weight go to my face first?

Facial fat is caused by weight gain. The reason behind excess face fat is poor diet, lack of exercise, aging, or genetic conditions. Fat is usually more visible in the cheeks, jowls, under the chin, and neck. Facial fat tends to be more noticeable in people with rounded, less-pronounced facial features.

Why am I losing weight but my face is getting fatter?

Usually, when you lose the fat, it comes off in the opposite order that it was stored. If your body tends to store fat in your face or belly first, these will be the last places where it would shed from. The facial skeleton forms the foundation and shape of your face, and supports overlying soft tissues.

How do I stop my face from gaining weight?

Preventing excess facial fat

  1. exercising regularly and incorporating plenty of cardio routines.
  2. eating a balanced diet rich in lean protein and whole fruits and vegetables.
  3. limiting the consumption of processed foods.
  4. drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary drinks, including energy drinks, juices, and sodas.

Why can't I lose weight face?

Unlike other body parts, you cannot hide facial fat. Genetics and hormones can also contribute to facial fat. If you are spending hours at the gym to lose weight then you must not ignore facial fat. To get rid of facial fat you can try simple modifications for effective results and a perfect jawline.

42 related questions found

Why is my face puffy?

Dehydration can cause blood vessels to enlarge that can lead to water retention, especially in the face causing it to be puffy. One of the main reasons for your face to swell up is the high content of salt in the body. Salt tends to retain water in the body that causes puffiness.

Will my face look better if I lose weight?

Losing weight can remove some of that extra roundness from the cheeks and jawline, but age will still tend to change the shape of the face says Dr. Mark Deuber unless plastic surgeons intervene.

What exercises slim your face?

Trim face fat and get a more defined look with this face workout:

  1. Tilt your head back until you're looking at the ceiling.
  2. Move your lower lip over your upper lip as far as you can; you should feel this in the jaw muscles near your ears.
  3. Hold for 10 seconds.
  4. Complete 10-15 sets.

How do I lose face fat and jawline?

Lose Face Fat and Jawline

  1. Perform facial exercises regularly.
  2. Hydrate yourself frequently.
  3. Get more sleep.
  4. Reduce salt consumption.
  5. Incorporate a balanced diet.
  6. Limit alcohol consumption.
  7. Cosmetic surgery.

When I lose weight my face looks older?

Why is this? It's because fat in the face gives the appearance of more volume, which makes the face look fuller and more youthful. When someone loses weight in the face, it makes them lose volume, which in effect can make them look older.

Why is my face so fat in pictures?

Lens distortions are mostly responsible for the way you look in pictures. Wider angle lenses cause more distortions and consequently make you look fatter. So then, if you are using wide-angle lenses, you should expect to look fatter in the picture.

Where do you lose weight first face?

For some people, the first noticeable change may be at the waistline. For others, the breasts or face are the first to show change. Where you gain or lose weight first is likely to change as you get older.

How can I slim my face in a week?

How to Lose Face Fat: 8 Effective Tips

  1. Do facial exercises. Facial exercises can be used to improve facial appearance, combat aging, and improve muscle strength ( 1 ). ...
  2. Add cardio to your routine. ...
  3. Drink more water. ...
  4. Limit alcohol consumption. ...
  5. Cut back on refined carbs. ...
  6. Get enough sleep. ...
  7. Watch your sodium intake. ...
  8. Eat more fiber.

Why do I have a double chin when I'm skinny?

When you're thin, just a small amount of fat under your jaw -- called submental fat -- may feel like it's too much for your profile. Most of the time it's just a result of genetics, and someone in your family tree passed on the tendency to have a little more flesh or fat in the chin area.

Do you lose weight in your face?

While there's no real way to target weight loss to just one part of your body, including the face, the easiest way to lose weight in your face is to lose weight overall. And the best way to achieve this is (you guessed it!) through exercise and a balanced, healthy diet. But there's some good news too.

How do you get a jawline?

15 Ways to Get a Chiseled Jawline

  1. Do Jaw Exercises. Your jaw has muscles like your arms and legs. ...
  2. Get a Haircut That Fits Your Face Shape. Sometimes you don't need to work the muscles. ...
  3. Massage Your Face. ...
  4. Stay Hydrated by Consistently Drinking Water. ...
  5. Trim Body Fat. ...
  6. Chew Hard Gum. ...
  7. Use Less Salt in Your Food. ...
  8. Make a Fish Face.

Is it possible to get rid of chubby cheeks?

Puffy face gradually goes down to its normal shape and size after some time. Face fat, on the other hand, is somewhat permanent and results of a body type. Weight loss and consistent exercise are the only way to shed those extra kilos around your face area.

How long does it take to lose face fat?

Most people lose their chubby cheeks when they go below 20% body fat. At 15% (or less) even stubborn face fat is gone. Your starting point will determine how long it will take. Note: you can expect to lose about 0.5-1% of body fat a week.

Why is my face becoming thin?

Gaunt face and aging

As you get older, you tend to lose some of this fat. This loss makes your face appear thinner and bonier. Changes to your skin can also make your face to look more aged. As you get older, your skin loses elasticity due to a reduction in the proteins collagen and elastin.

How much weight do you need to lose to see it in your face?

For a weight change to show up on your face, you'd need to change your BMI by 1.33 points, the study found. That means a woman and man of average height would need to gain or lose eight pounds and nine pounds, respectively. For this study, the average woman was 5 feet 4 inches tall; the average man 5 feet 10 inches.

Why is my face so bloated and fat?

Moon facies occurs when extra fat builds up on the sides of the face. It is often related to obesity but can be from Cushing's syndrome. That's why people sometimes refer to it as a Cushingoid appearance. Cushing's syndrome occurs when the body is exposed for long periods to high levels of a hormone called cortisol.

Why are my cheeks swollen?

Common causes of cheek swelling on one side include: tooth abscess. facial injury. salivary gland tumor.

Why do my cheeks look swollen?

Certain foods, such as an excess of carbs, salt, and alcohol, can also cause facial swelling. Stress can also cause your face to swell because when you're feeling anxious, your adrenal glands produce more cortisol than usual, which can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including facial swelling.

What foods reduce face fat?

Also, opt for low-sodium foods which include broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, red beans, brown rice, quinoa, berries, apples, bananas, pears and more. When you reduce your salt intake, it helps in reducing inflammation as well as bloating. All these will result in a slimmer face.

Will drinking water make my face thinner?

So drink enough water so that all the body toxins are flushed out. When your body is not desperate to retain water, you will get a slimmer looking face and body as well.