At the International Master Course on Aging Science (IMCAS) 2025, Swiss pure-play dermatology business Galderma educated dermatologists and healthcare professionals on how to manage skin and facial appearance changes in patients that have undertaken weight loss using GLP-1 drugs.
Galderma, which has products that span the dermatology market including injectable aesthetics, dermatological skin care and therapeutic dermatology, presented its new research that showed the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) (GLP-1) drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy on the skin, face and neck.
“We are seeing a whole new consumer emerge,” revealed SVP and head of product strategy at Galderma, Gerry Muhle when speaking about the huge popularity of these drugs and their beauty-related side effects.
A need for high-quality research in this area
Galderma commissioned a Delphi study to address the need for high-quality research in this area and to help establish clinical guidelines for identifying and managing the unique needs of this patient population.
Its international, multidisciplinary study has incorporated patient interviews, market research, literature reviews, and insights from global experts with extensive experience in treating medication-driven weight loss patients.
The company said that this has culminated in a global consensus on key criteria, expert perspectives, and treatment prioritisation, all supported by real-world case studies. These novel consensus guidelines were presented by Montreal-based board-certified plastic surgeon Dr Andreas Nikolis MD PhD FRCSC in a focus session on ‘Rapid facial volume loss: causes and consequences’ at the event.
We are now witnessing the emergence of a distinct patient population – those who have undergone significant weight loss and are now seeking complementary aesthetic care,” said Nikolis.
“With unique needs, these patients require a thoughtful, integrated approach from healthcare providers.”
Nikolis added that Galderma’s research is playing a pivotal role in equipping healthcare providers with the knowledge they need to stay at the forefront of this shift.
Surveyed 1,300 GLP-1 users
Additionally, Galderma surveyed 1,300 men and women aged 25 to 65 in the US, Europe, Middle East and Brazil who were taking these weight loss drugs in a bid to understand the anatomical and aesthetic impact of medication-driven weight loss on the skin.
The research has revealed that facial changes are typically observed three to six months following treatment (for 45% of respondents) and sometimes as early as one to two months (for 28%).
Notable facial/skin changes were reductions in collagen and elastin, which causes sagging, loose skin; a tired-looking appearance; more lines and wrinkles; dull skin/loss of radiance; and a hollow facial appearance.
Menopausal women, in particular, experience higher levels of sagging skin, a more gaunt face, and less radiant skin.
The firm’s research also found that 60% of those patients experiencing medication-driven weight loss showed a strong interest in a dual-expertise service that integrates both medical and aesthetic professionals to support them during their weight loss journey.
“One-third said they would have taken precautions earlier if they had known about these affects,” noted Muhle.
There is a need for more science, more information and understanding of the interplay between aesthetics and these prescription-use weight-loos medicine,” he added.
“More wrinkles than expected for their age group”
According to Chicago-based facial plastic surgeon Dr Steven Dayan, MD, FACS, who joined an expert panel hosted by Galderma at IMCAS, one in eight people in the US market are now taking GLP-1 drugs.
“I think we are going to see a whole new revolution in aesthetics. A host of new patients are going to start coming in to see us,” he shared.
“Something I noted is that when my regular patients first get on these drugs, they aren’t worried about their skin. They always just say they just want to be thinner. But after a few months they start to notice the effects on their skin. It’s not an initial thing: it’s over time.”
Indeed, loose or sagging skin on the face and neck is often noted after some weight loss for several reasons: the loss of fat that typically stretches and cushions the skin, contributing to a youthful appearance, can lead to volume depletion and sagging. Additionally, the reduction of collagen, elastin, and other essential nutrients can affect skin quality, facial definition and contouring.
However, it these affects appear to be more prevalent in those using these drugs.
Dayan noted that skin biopsies of obese people often show that the skin is healthy, but that after losing around 20% of their body fat on these drugs, the user starts to lose collagen and elastin, and their skin starts to break down.
“They have a lot more wrinkles than someone you would expect for their age group,” he said. “I think there might be something specific about GLP-1s as I started to see people who are taking these drugs and looked a lot older than their age.”
“I don’t think this is simply because they are losing weight: like a grape that becomes a raisin,” he continued. “I think it’s because it affects their adipose-derived stem cells.”
Dayan said that these “reservoir cells prepare the skin to regenerate itself and look healthy.”
He believed that “these can get turned off by these drugs” and added: “we needed to find a way to turn them back on and that is what Galderma is doing with some of the new products we are discussing.”
Dayan added that this phenomenon has opened up a whole host of new patients that didn’t previously require his services, as they were obese and didn’t necessarily have these concerns about their skin quality and face shape at this point.
“This is something that is hitting us fast; like a tsunami,” he said.
GLP-1 drugs: $100bn sales globally forecast by 2030
Galderma noted that the use of prescription weight loss medications is set to increase globally, with $100bn sales globally forecast by 2030, which will have a considerable impact on aesthetics for both patients and healthcare professionals.
“With 62% of patients using GLP-1 getting aesthetic treatment following a healthcare professional recommendation, there is a clear need for guidance on how to treat this new patient population,” said the firm in a press statement.
Muhle said that Galderma is now committed to leading the way in understanding the impact of medication-driven weight loss on the skin “As the dermatology category leader, we know that this is not a one size fits all approach,” he shared.
“With our deep skin knowledge, aesthetic expertise and individualised treatment approach, Galderma is uniquely positioned to support this evolution and help patients achieve the radiant glow and appearance that they desire.”
