GLP-1 & Skin problems- A dermatologist's perspective on the Weight-Loss Revolution
By Dr Deepali Bhardwaj, New Delhi, June 23
GLP-1 receptor agonists have sparked a global revolution in weight management. Medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are changing lives by helping people achieve sustained weight loss, improve blood sugar control, and reduce the burden of obesity-related diseases.
Yet, amid the excitement surrounding these breakthrough drugs, one important conversation is often overlooked: what happens to your skin when your body changes rapidly?
In 'The Skin Care Guide That Will Change Your Life', published by Penguin Random House India, I dedicate a chapter to the evolving relationship between GLP-1 medications and skin health - making it among the first Indian books to address this emerging concern from a dermatologist's perspective.
As a dermatologist, I am increasingly seeing patients concerned about what social media has termed "Ozempic face" -- a visible loss of facial volume resulting from rapid weight reduction. It is important to understand that this is not a direct side effect of the medication itself. Rather, it is a consequence of significant fat loss, particularly from the face.
When weight loss occurs too quickly, the skin may not have enough time to adapt. Patients can experience facial hollowing, sagging around the jawline, more prominent wrinkles, under-eye shadows, and loss of skin firmness. Similar changes can occur on the neck, arms, abdomen, and thighs.
The risk is heightened when GLP-1 medications are used without medical supervision, combined with crash diets, or accompanied by inadequate protein intake and nutritional deficiencies. Healthy weight loss must prioritise muscle preservation, collagen support, and overall skin health.
An equally urgent issue is the rise of counterfeit GLP-1 products and the increasing ease with which these medications can be obtained without a prescription. The influence of social media, celebrity endorsements, and unregulated online sellers has fuelled demand, often at the expense of patient safety.
India urgently needs stronger regulatory oversight, stricter enforcement against counterfeit drugs, and greater public awareness regarding the dangers of self-medication.
Used appropriately, GLP-1 medications are powerful, evidence-based tools--not beauty shortcuts. The goal should never be rapid weight loss at any cost, but a medically supervised transformation that protects both health and skin.
Knowledge remains the most effective anti-ageing tool. 'The Skin Care Guide That Will Change Your Life' empowers readers to separate facts from trends, make informed decisions, and potentially save themselves unnecessary consultations, expenses, and long-term skin concerns
(Disclaimer: The author is Senior Dermatologist and Author of The Skin Care Guide That Will Change Your Life (Penguin Random House India). Views shared here are personal)
— ANI
Reader Comments
My wife was so excited about these drugs after seeing ads on Instagram. I showed her this article and she immediately canceled her online order. The mention of counterfeit products is scary - in India you can literally get anything without prescription these days. We need stricter laws NOW!
Interesting perspective. I'm from the US and we see the same issues here - people chasing quick fixes without understanding consequences. The skin changes are real; I've seen friends develop "Ozempic face" and they regret not losing weight gradually. Good on Dr Bhardwaj for writing a book on this.
I appreciate the balanced view here. But respectfully, I think the media is also feeding into body image anxieties. Women like me who genuinely have medical weight issues need these medications. Instead of scaring everyone, maybe we should focus on proper medical guidance and nutrition support. Skin can recover with good care, but obesity-related health problems can be fatal. Just my two paise.
As someone with PCOS and weight issues, this is such a nuanced topic. I did lose weight on a GLP-1 drug but yes, my face looks older now. But honestly? I'd rather have wrinkles and healthy blood sugar than be obese with diabetes. It's about trade-offs. Doctors need to counsel patients properly before prescribing.
The fake drug part is what really bothers me. My cousin in Delhi bought some "weight loss injection" from a WhatsApp group. She ended up in hospital with severe nausea and dehydration. We need the government to crack down on these online sellers who are preying on vulnerable people. Dr Bhardw
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.