For example, type 2 diabetes that's not well controlled can co-occur with Cushing's syndrome. Once treatment works, the moon face should gradually disappear. Moon face from other causes can last different lengths of time, sometimes more than a year, depending on the cause and swelling severity. If treatment is effective, all of the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome, including moon face, will eventually disappear. If moon face is bothering you, talk to your healthcare provider. The dosage needs to be gradually reduced (tapered) under the guidance of a healthcare provider. Since you can't target weight loss to specific areas, facial exercises won't work. Moon face due to weight gain resolves with weight loss. So, managing your diet and taking your diabetes medication may help to limit the effects. Long-term steroid use can affect your adrenal glands, causing them to release a high amount of hormones like cortisol, a stress hormone. Corticosteroids like prednisone are one of the most common causes of moon face. But since it changes how you look, it can affect your self-esteem and take a toll on your mental health. The buildup of fat deposits in the side of your skull can make your face so round that you can’t see your ears from the front. Although harmless, the condition can affect your self-esteem. I remember looking in the mirror and feeling like a stranger was staring back at me. It’s easy to tell someone to "just ride it out," but that doesn’t help when you’re feeling self-conscious or frustrated. To understand moon face, it helps to know how prednisone works. For many, it’s not just a cosmetic concern—it’s a daily reminder of the challenges of taking this life-saving, but side-effect-heavy, medication. Cleveland Clinic’s primary care providers offer lifelong medical care. If you need to continue with your current treatment, consider joining a support group so you can connect with others in your shoes. Moon face is when fat deposits build up along the sides of your face, causing severe swelling. Use profiles to select personalised content. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. By Amber J. TrescaTresca is a writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. Some evidence suggests that the condition occurs more frequently in women. If you don’t have enough thyroid hormone, the sugar molecules may build up in your skin. Thyroid hormone helps break down sugar molecules in your body. This can lead to swelling and fat deposits in and around your face, and you might look like you have a moon face. A healthy diet and regular physical activity can help you lose weight everywhere, including your face. If hypothyroidism causes moon face, your doctor may prescribe medications like levothyroxine to replace missing thyroid hormones. If you've been taking corticosteroids for a long time at a high dose, you may need to lower the dose very slowly every week or every few weeks. It wasn’t just about the swelling—it was about feeling like I’d lost control over my body. When I was on prednisone, I dealt with moon face and the emotional weight that came with it. Some people notice improvement quickly, while others may continue to see lingering effects for months. Research shows that for most people, moon face starts to improve as the prednisone dose is tapered to below 7 mg/day. The answer depends on several factors, including your prednisone dosage, how long you’ve been taking it, and how your body responds.
