<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cPatients who are on GLP-1 medications have already made a very intentional decision to improve their health and change their appearance,\u201d says New York plastic surgeon Stafford Broumand, MD. \u201cThey 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Miami dermatologist Joely Kaufman, MD says many patients first notice the change once they begin feeling good about their progress. \u201cWe are definitely seeing an uptick in GLP patients coming into our offices,\u201d she says. \u201cMost 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese medications are bringing new patients to our dermatology offices,\u201d Dr. Kaufman says. \u201cOnes 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rather than focusing on a single feature, many patients are now thinking about the face more holistically. \u201cWe are seeing a rise in patients seeking overall facial balance rather than focusing on a single feature,\u201d says Dr. Broumand. \u201cAs patients lose weight\u2014particularly those on GLP-1 medications\u2014changes 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo address these concerns, there has been growing demand for a range of treatment options,\u201d Dr. Broumand adds. \u201cNonsurgical 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
For many aesthetic physicians, that evolution reflects a broader shift toward wellness-driven aesthetics. \u201cThe 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,\u201d Dr. Broumand says.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n