When competitive bodybuilder Christianne decided to take her passion for fitness to the next level, she didn’t expect the toll that rapid fat loss would take on her face. “I wasn’t looking cute,” she laughs. “My body was looking amazing, but the face really was not optimal.”
After months of strict dieting and training, she began noticing hollowing, dryness and laxity that makeup couldn’t disguise. “Getting on stage, you’re not just showcasing your body, you’re showcasing everything, including your face and your skin,” she says. To restore the glow she’d lost, she turned to Miami dermatologist Dr. Jill S. Waibel, known for her laser expertise, and the treatment they chose was the ULTRApulse Alpha CO₂ laser.
“I Had ‘Ozempic Face’ Without the Ozempic”
Christianne explains that her experience mirrored what’s now called “Ozempic face“—but hers came from intense training, not from being on a GLP-1 medication. “I had Ozempic face without the Ozempic,” she says. “You can sculpt your body, but you can’t control what happens to your face.”
With Dr. Waibel’s guidance, she skipped fillers and opted for a regenerative laser approach. “I put my hands into Dr. Waibel, my dermatologist, because I really trust her,” she said. “Together, we decided that putting too much filler in the face and Botox wasn’t going to take us all the way there. She really recommended lasers, and it truly helped.”
Stage-Ready in Just Days
Timing was crucial. Christianne’s competition was only days away, but the treatment fit right in. “We did it shortly before my competition, and it helped plump up and smooth out the skin so I felt a lot more comfortable getting on stage,” she says.
Christianne was surprised at how minimal the downtime was. “By the time we got to my competition, I was able to do the laser treatment days before and still look really good,” she says. “Of course, you have a full face of makeup on, so even if there was any little redness, it was not an issue.”
She describes the results as transformative: “It’s like having baby skin again. Vibrant, plump, supple and a lot smoother.”
How the Laser Works
According to Dr. Waibel, the ULTRApulse Alpha CO₂ laser is unlike any other resurfacing device on the market. “It helps wrinkles disappear, it’s like a magic eraser,” she says.
She explains the science behind the effect: “It’s the most powerful laser other than the erbium resurfacing. It helps with the texture and quality of the skin. It vaporizes your tissue, and it’s the first regeneration. It truly regenerates your skin and makes the wound heal in a way that takes your skin back to younger, healthier skin.”
Why It’s Ideal After Weight Loss
Dr. Waibel says the treatment is particularly valuable for patients experiencing volume or collagen loss after dramatic body changes. “This is the treatment of choice,” she declares. “We use this a ton after weight loss or GLP-1 use because you often have that laxity and sagging, and it literally tightens the skin as you’re doing it.”
She also points out that improvements continue over time. “It’s like exercise,” she says. “You only need to do it two or three times a year to really prevent aging. You get your ultimate improvement months later.”
Confidence on Stage and Beyond
The results went far beyond the skin’s surface. Christianne says the treatment boosted her confidence just when she needed it most. A few weeks later, her hard work and her skin paid off. “I won for my age group and my section,” she says. “The first competition I ever did as a novice, I won. That qualified me for nationals, and I won my pro card.”
Today, Christianne continues her maintenance laser sessions a few times a year. “It’s a long-term plan,” she says. “The eating, the lifestyle, the lasers, it all works together to keep us looking great.”