You’ve probably seen the threads. Someone posts a selfie from three years ago alongside a current photo, and the comments section goes wild. "Did your bone structure change?" "Why do your eyes look deeper?" When it comes to the vyvanse before and after face phenomenon, the internet is full of anecdotal "evidence" that ranges from terrifying to totally dismissive.
Honestly, the truth is tucked somewhere in the middle.
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Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) doesn't literally reshape your skull. It’s not a plastic surgeon in a capsule. But it is a powerful central nervous system stimulant, and anything that alters your metabolism, sleep, and hydration for years is going to leave a mark on your mug. If you’re noticing your face looks "different" after being on the meds, you aren't imagining things. But it’s usually not the drug itself—it’s the lifestyle tax the drug collects.
The Weight Loss "Hollow"
The most immediate change people notice in a vyvanse before and after face comparison is the loss of facial volume. Vyvanse is famously used to treat Binge Eating Disorder (BED) for a reason: it kills your appetite.
When you stop eating those mid-afternoon snacks or forget lunch entirely because you're "in the zone," your body looks for fuel elsewhere. Often, the first place we lose fat is the face. Specifically, the buccal fat pads and the area under the eyes.
This creates what some call "stimulant face."
- Sunken cheeks that make your cheekbones look sharper (but maybe a bit "gaunt").
- A more defined jawline that can look "tight."
- Deepened nasolabial folds (the lines from your nose to your mouth).
It’s basically the same effect as "Ozempic face." You aren't aging at 10x speed; you’re just losing the youthful padding that keeps skin taut.
Dehydration and the "Grey" Cast
Ever noticed that your skin looks a bit... flat? Or maybe your fine lines are suddenly screaming for attention?
Stimulants are diuretics. They make you pee more, and they often suppress the "thirst" signal in your brain. If you’re taking Vyvanse and only drinking three cups of coffee a day, your skin is essentially a raisin.
Dehydrated skin loses its "bounce" (elasticity). It looks dull, grayish, and emphasizes every tiny wrinkle. In those vyvanse before and after face photos, the "after" often looks older simply because the skin is thirsty.
Then there's the vascular stuff. Vyvanse is a vasoconstrictor—it narrows your blood vessels. This can lead to less blood flow to the surface of the skin, resulting in a paler complexion or, conversely, a "blotchy" look if your body is struggling to regulate its temperature.
The "Vyvanse Eyes" Mystery
Dark circles are the hallmark of the long-term Vyvanse user. People often blame the chemicals, but it’s usually a combo of two things: sleep debt and thin skin.
- The Sleep Gap: Even if you think you’re sleeping, the quality of stimulant-influenced sleep is often lower. Less REM sleep means your body isn't doing the deep tissue repair it needs.
- Blood Vessel Visibility: Because the skin under your eyes is the thinnest on your body, when you’re dehydrated and your blood vessels are constricted/dilated, those dark "bags" become way more prominent.
Skin Picking and "Stimming"
We have to talk about the "picking" factor. It’s a side effect that doctors don’t always emphasize, but it’s real. Stimulants can increase repetitive behaviors. For some, this manifests as "dermatillomania"—compulsively picking at tiny bumps or "clogged pores" that aren't even there.
A single "pimple" can turn into a week-long scab because the Vyvanse keeps you hyper-focused on the mirror. When people look at a vyvanse before and after face, they might see scarring or redness that wasn't there before. This isn't a direct skin reaction to the pill; it’s a behavioral response to the stimulation.
Is "Vyvanse Face" Permanent?
Kinda, but mostly no.
If you stop the medication, your appetite returns, your hydration levels stabilize, and your face usually "fills back out." However, if you spent five years on the med and never wore sunscreen or drank water, you might have some "accelerated" aging from chronic oxidative stress.
But for most, the "before and after" is a reflection of how well you took care of yourself while the drug was in your system.
How to Prevent the "After" Photo You Hate
If you're on Vyvanse and want to avoid the gaunt, tired look, you have to be aggressive about maintenance.
- Liquid Calories: If you can't eat, drink a protein shake. You need the fats to keep your skin supple.
- The 3-Liter Rule: You need more water than a "normal" person. Period.
- Topical Hydration: Use a heavy-duty hyaluronic acid and a barrier cream. Your skin is losing moisture from the inside out; you have to trap what’s left.
- Magnesium and Electrolytes: Stimulants deplete your minerals. Taking a high-quality magnesium glycinate at night can help with the "clenched" jaw look and improve sleep quality.
- The "Mirror Ban": If you find yourself leaning into the mirror to inspect your pores, walk away. Put a sticky note on the glass if you have to.
The vyvanse before and after face doesn't have to be a horror story. It’s just a signal that your body needs a little more help to keep up with the pace the medication is setting. Focus on the basics—water, calories, and sleep—and the "after" might just look like a more focused version of the "before."
Next Steps for Your Skin:
Check your daily water intake. If you're under 80 ounces, start there. Next time you see your prescriber, ask about your "resting" heart rate and circulation, as these can affect your skin's color and health over time. If you notice persistent "picking" urges, discuss a dose adjustment or adding a supplement like NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine), which has been shown in some studies to help with repetitive skin-picking behaviors.