As GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy continue to gain popularity, aesthetic clinics are seeing something new: patients looking great on the scale but feeling a little flat in the mirror. With rapid weight loss often comes looser skin and a change in facial volume, leaving many people wanting a gentle refresh. What’s interesting is that most people walking through the door for help with this aren’t long-time aesthetics clients. McKinsey’s data shows that 63% of GLP-1 users seeking aesthetic treatments were completely NEW to it all, and 44% said they were open to trying new treatments. For practitioners and clinics, this is a real chance to guide first-timers through gentle, supportive treatment options that complement their health journey.

GLP-1s are used to induce rapid weight loss

From weight loss to skin wobbles

GLP-1 prescriptions have grown by about 38% each year between 2022 and 2024. These medications are helping people lose significant amounts of weight, with around 61% of aesthetic patients on GLP-1s reporting they dropped between 11% and 30% of their body weight. That’s great news for health, but the result is often skin that hasn’t quite caught up.

Think: softer jawlines, hollow cheeks, or sagging in areas that were once firmer. Understandably, many people want to restore the balance in their features, without looking like they’ve had “work” done.

A new crowd at the clinic

What’s interesting is that most people walking through the door for help with this aren’t long-time aesthetics clients. McKinsey’s data shows that 63% of GLP-1 users seeking facial aesthetic treatments were completely new to it all. For clinics, this is a real chance to guide first-timers through gentle, supportive treatment options that complement their health journey.

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What people want (Hint: It’s not overdone)

The study found that 56% of patients want to look more like themselves again, just a little fresher. These are people who liked how they looked before the weight loss, and now want to bring some of that back. On the other hand, 44% said they were open to trying new treatments, perhaps for the first time.

So, whether it’s restoring volume or smoothing the skin, these patients appreciate honest advice, realistic results, and treatments that feel like a natural next step, not a complete transformation.

It’s more than just the face

It’s not only cheeks and jawlines getting attention. GLP-1 patients commonly report more than one concern they aim to address, especially around skin laxity, volume loss, and skin texture. That means a mix of treatments might be needed – from hydrating injectables to collagen-stimulating products and devices that tighten the skin gently over time.

Body contouring and firming treatments are also on the rise, helping people feel good in their skin again after major changes.

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How clinics can support the shift

There’s no need for a big business strategy or a fundamental operational overhaul to address this change. Here are a few simple ways in which clinics can be more prepared:

Update consultations to include post-weight-loss skin support as part of overall care.

Create treatment bundles that combine skin tightening, hydration, and facial contouring.

Collaborate with doctors prescribing GLP-1s, so patients are aware of their options from the start.

Keep the tone positive – this isn’t about fixing flaws, it’s about helping people feel more comfortable and confident after their transformation.

Looking ahead

GLP-1s aren’t just a health trend. They’re part of a much bigger shift in how people take care of themselves – from the inside out. As patients focus on long-term wellness, aesthetic clinics are in a great position to offer thoughtful, natural-looking support that fits into the broader picture of feeling well, living well, and, yes, looking a little more like yourself again.

The information contained in the article above is based on “GLP1s are boosting demand for medical aesthetics,” McKinsey & Company (May 2025). To read the original article, visit: McKinsey & Company – GLP1s are boosting demand for medical aesthetics.

Rochelle Friedman

Aesthetic Appointment Journal | rochelle@aestheticappointment.co.za | Website

Rochelle is the founder and driving force behind Aesthetic Appointment. With a passion for the aesthetics and pro-ageing industry in South Africa, she has been in the aesthetic publishing industry since 2012, dedicated to creating a valuable platform for insights and knowledge, bridging the gap between patients and doctors - delivering reliable, medical-based information. Rochelle firmly believes in the power of a good skincare regimen, especially when started at home, and is committed to educating consumers about the myriad of treatments, procedures, and products available to them.