New data from Allergan Aesthetics suggests just how quickly the GLP-1 boom has reshaped the aesthetic industry. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of medical weight-loss patients surged 137 percent, dramatically expanding the group of people experiencing the facial changes that can follow rapid weight loss.
In aesthetic practices everywhere, the pattern is familiar. Patients who feel healthier after successfully losing weight are beginning to notice something unexpected in the mirror: their face looks different.
“Patients who are on GLP-1 medications have already made a very intentional decision to improve their health and change their appearance,” says New York plastic surgeon Stafford Broumand, MD. “They sought out a medical solution to help them lose weight, and with that success, we are increasingly seeing secondary aesthetic concerns emerge. Most commonly, patients experience skin laxity, facial volume loss and changes in overall skin quality as weight is lost.”
Featured Experts
- Stafford Broumand, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York
- Joely Kaufman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Miami
When Facial Changes Start to Show
Rapid weight loss affects fat throughout the body, including the face. As facial fat pads shrink, structure and softness can disappear along with the weight. The data reflects that shift in priorities: 67 percent of patients say medical weight loss changed their goals toward improving appearance, not just losing weight.
Miami dermatologist Joely Kaufman, MD says many patients first notice the change once they begin feeling good about their progress. “We are definitely seeing an uptick in GLP patients coming into our offices,” she says. “Most sources now say that 1 in 8 Americans have tried a GLP-1, so it is becoming very commonplace. As patients lose more substantial amounts of weight, they report feeling like they look older than when they were heavier. We do know that the amount of fat in the face is correlated with BMI, and as we lose weight, facial volume will also change.”
A New Kind of Patient
For many people, this is their first time considering aesthetic treatments. According to the report, 40 percent of medical weight-loss patients say they are considering a professionally administered aesthetic treatment, and physicians report a noticeable increase in demand for dermal fillers.
“These medications are bringing new patients to our dermatology offices,” Dr. Kaufman says. “Ones who may have not needed fillers in the past, but with large amount of weight loss, they now notice more skin laxity and volume depletion.”
Restoring Balance
Rather than focusing on a single feature, many patients are now thinking about the face more holistically. “We are seeing a rise in patients seeking overall facial balance rather than focusing on a single feature,” says Dr. Broumand. “As patients lose weight—particularly those on GLP-1 medications—changes such as facial volume loss, skin laxity and shifts in proportion become more noticeable. Because of this, the conversation is increasingly about restoring harmony to the face.”
The data reflects that shift in treatment approach. The report found 69 percent of providers selected neurotoxins as the primary nonsurgical treatment for patients seeking facial rejuvenation after weight loss. Nearly half of patients (47 percent) were also reported by health-care providers to benefit most from hyaluronic acid injectable fillers when addressing post-weight-loss facial concerns. About 30 percent of GLP-1 users are also using dermal fillers, many beginning treatment after starting their weight-loss medication.
“To address these concerns, there has been growing demand for a range of treatment options,” Dr. Broumand adds. “Nonsurgical treatments such as dermal fillers and biostimulators are commonly used to restore structure, improve skin quality and rebuild collagen. Fat transfer is also becoming more popular for patients who want a more permanent approach to restoring lost volume.”
Wellness Meets Aesthetics
The report also shows weight-loss care and aesthetics increasingly overlapping. Sixty percent of people receiving GLP-1 medications now get them from providers who also offer aesthetic treatments, up from 49 percent in late 2024.
For many aesthetic physicians, that evolution reflects a broader shift toward wellness-driven aesthetics. “The goal is for us as aesthetic professionals to not chase a trend but to evolve our techniques to match the shift toward wellness and longevity,” Dr. Broumand says.
