Dermatologic Surgery dedicates special issue to GLP-1 aesthetic side effects

The journal Dermatologic Surgery has published a dedicated issue, "Beyond Weight Loss: GLP-1 and the Future of Aesthetic Outcomes", to address how glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists impact skin, soft tissue, and surgical healing. This collection of research, guest-edited by American Society for Dermatologic Surgery President Kavita Mariwalla, MD, alongside Ardalan Minokadeh and Andreas Nikolis, marks a formal transition for clinics. What began as occasional patient discussions has become a daily clinical backdrop, forcing providers to evaluate these medications not as simple metabolic tools, but as active biologic modifiers that alter tissue quality.

For aesthetic practices, the implications span both non-invasive procedures and surgical planning. The issue explores the direct consequences of GLP-1 use on facial volume loss, sagging skin, hair loss, and perioperative risks. The editors note that while clinical observation is currently outpacing hard evidence, the medications clearly influence tissue laxity and wound healing. Rather than offering a single clinical protocol, the research highlights a growing need for providers to use individual clinical judgment when planning treatments like dermal fillers, skin tightening, or hair restoration for patients on these therapies.

As patients continue to seek treatment for rapid volume depletion, managing these complex tissue changes will require adjusting treatment timelines and expectations. Clinicians should integrate GLP-1 usage into their standard intake assessments and expect to customize healing protocols and structural support strategies for these patients.

Source: Salon Today / Dermatologic Surgery, https://www.salontoday.com/1093121/special-issue-addresses-glp-1-side-effects-and-skin