Recent Insights on GLP-1s and the Aesthetics Industry

Recent research shows the significant impact GLP-1 and similar weight loss medications are having on the medical aesthetics industry. These medications include semaglutides (such as Ozempic and Wegovy) and compounds, as well as newer tirzepatide medications (such as Mounjaro and Zepbound). 

Not only has the GLP-1 market continued to grow (approximately 38 percent annually between 2022 and 2024 and estimated to reach $100 billion by 2030), but it has also led to a boom in the medical aesthetics market. Due to the impact of rapid weight loss medications on adipose tissue, muscle, collagen production, and skin quality, many aesthetics providers are tapping into a new revenue stream by working with patients who have gone through significant weight loss.

Provider Insights

Consulting firm McKinsey & Company recently conducted a survey on the impact of GLP-1s on aesthetic providers, surveying dermatologists, plastic surgery clinics, medical spas, and more. Here are some of their key findings:

1. GLP-1 Patients are Expanding the Aesthetics Market: 63% of GLP-1 patients seeking aesthetic services are new to the market, presenting a huge opportunity for aesthetics providers to grow their patient base.

2. They Have Multiple Concerns: the majority of patients have more than one aesthetic concern post-weight loss. Skin laxity is the top concern, followed by skin quality and facial fullness. This gives providers a unique opportunity to create a personalized treatment plan that fits each patient’s various needs and based on where they are in their weight loss journey.

3. Combination Treatments & Novel Technologies Stand Out: the multitude of concerns also presents an opportunity to introduce not just a single treatment or service to these patients, as multiple modalities may be needed to achieve their desired outcomes. The survey reflects that 70% of aesthetics providers are excited about utilizing combination therapies among other novel treatments in their practice.

PATIENT Insights

In addition to what aesthetic providers are reporting, NewBeauty’s recent issue of The State of Aesthetics dove further in the GLP-1 patient to better understand their concerns and goals.

NewBeauty found that nearly 70% of patients are losing more than 20 pounds on their weight loss journey. In addition, most patients are staying on these medications long-term; more than half of patients plan to stay on for an additional 12 months or more.

These patients are driven by a variety of concerns because of their weight loss. Similar to the findings of McKinsey & Company, skin laxity was reported as the top concern, followed by concerns about looking older and loss of facial volume. As a result, collagen stimulators, microneedling, and laser resurfacing are the aesthetic treatments these patients are most likely to consider. A whopping 86% of respondents said they’re interested in treatments that stimulate the body’s natural processes to regenerate skin and restore volume.

In addition, as patients adapt to their changing bodies, nearly 70% are interested in muscle-defining treatments, plus interest in fat transfer procedures is up as well.

This research shows that while patients are achieving great wins with their weight loss, the journey to their ideal look is far from over. Aesthetic treatments will play a crucial role in helping them address some of the unwanted effects from rapid weight loss.

What does this mean for the aesthetic provider?

You have an unprecedented opportunity to help a large patient population (12% of Americans) accomplish a meaningful goal. Whether or not you personally prescribe GLP-1 weight loss medications at your practice, you still need to be prepared to offer weight loss patients a suite of customizable solutions to address their weight loss-induced aesthetic concerns.

Some key considerations to keep in mind:

1. Make sure your messaging and marketing address this patient population and their unique journey and mindset.

2. Consider a payment plan or subscription model. Many patients are tight on funds because they’re spending on GLP-1s, so they might be reticent about any large upfront payments for aesthetic services.

3. Treat each patient as an individual. Weight loss can be a sensitive topic for many individuals, and everyone loses weight differently. There will not be a one-size-fits-all approach in your treatment plan as a result.

4. Consider combination therapies! It’s likely that patients will need multiple modalities or services (including surgical intervention and injectables) to address their needs.

5. Be in it for the long haul. Instead of bombarding a weight loss patient with a large menu of services right away, be a part of their journey. Many of these patients plan to be on these medications long-term, so by building trust along the way and focusing on their developing needs in your treatment plan, you will gain yourself a loyal client.

Cartessa’s Technologies Fit the Needs of Your Weight Loss Patients

PHYSIQ 360: Complete Body Contouring to Target Muscle & Fat

For localized fat deposits or to maintain and build muscle, PHYSIQ 360 presents a total body–every body solution. This multi-modality platform uses laser energy to deeply penetrate and directly heat the fat layer, while electrical muscle stimulation engages both fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fibers. In the long run, building muscle has the added benefit of helping the body burn more fat, making it a sustainable adjunct for weight loss patients. With comfortable, no downtime treatments, plus no consumables to run the device, PHYSIQ 360 is a win for patients and providers.

PHYSIQ 360 is available in the U.S. and Canada.

EVERESSE: Monopolar Radio Frequency to Stimulate Natural Collagen Production, Restore Volume, and Tighten Skin

For patients who are seeking natural facial volume restoration as opposed to fillers, EVERESSE delivers heat deep beneath the skin’s surface to trigger double-depth collagen generation. This has the effect of restoring natural, youthful volume and tightening skin. EVERESSE can not only be used on the face neck but also across the body to address skin laxity on the abdomen, arms, thighs, or even the knees. EVERESSE is a needle-free, pain-free procedure with zero downtime and no numbing needed, making it ideal for even the most nervous patient.

EVERESSE is available in the U.S. and Canada.

HELIX: Non-Ablative and Ablative Laser Resurfacing in One Powerhouse

While laser resurfacing is often associated with the face and neck, it can also be used on the body to address skin tone, texture, as well as discoloration and stretch marks. HELIX is a powerful laser resurfacing platform that offers both non-ablative and ablative wavelengths, which can be used separately or combined. HELIX treatments can improve skin quality, stimulate collagen generation, and tighten skin in the superficial layers – across the face and body.

HELIX is available in the U.S. and Canada.

Virtue RF: Microneedling with Radiofrequency

VirtueRF takes microneedling to the next level by combining it with radiofrequency (RF) to tighten skin and improve texture. This treatment creates micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin production, making it an excellent option for addressing sagging skin and uneven texture. A unique RF microneedling platform technology, VirtueRF has three compatible handpieces, including a dedicated handpiece and larger tip for advanced body applications.

VirtueRF is available in the U.S.

LipoAI: Minimally Invasive Solution for Complete Transformations

For experienced surgeons, LipoAI can be a powerful tool that elevates surgical procedures and efficiency. LipoAI procedures can be performed under local anesthesia in a treatment room as opposed to an OR, reducing costs and expanding options for providers. Compared to traditional liposuction, LipoAI procedures melt fat and tighten skin at the same time, all while reducing downtime and bruising. There are many interesting applications of the device, including fat transfers, gynecomastia, and revisions.

LipoAI is available in the U.S.

Consider combination therapies

Leveraging multiple modalities in novel combination treatments can help you better address the full range of your weight loss patients' needs. Some combination treatments may be performed in a single session, allowing both your staff and your patient to maximize their time in the treatment room while delivering synergistic results. Consider some ideas below and take stock of your technology offerings to create the best protocols (including combination treatments) for each patient.

• Skin Quality Upgrade: Monopolar radiofrequency delivers bulk volumetric heating in the dermal layers to stimulate collagen generation and volumize & tighten skin, while a superficial CO2 laser can help address surface imperfections like discoloration, stretch marks, and uneven texture. You can combine monopolar RF and CO2 in a single session by performing the monopolar RF treatment first, then immediately following with the CO2. Depending on the intensity of the CO2 treatment, downtime can vary from minimal to several days. A novel Cartessa combination treatment is the Radiant Lift, which combines the award-winning EVERESSE and CoolPeel treatments into a single no pain, no numbing, no downtime session. This can be performed on the face, neck, and body and is suitable for all skin types. 
• Total Body Transformation: Combine a body contouring device with a treatment that address skin laxity and skin quality for a multi-faceted approach to the body. A treatment like PHYSIQ 360 targets pockets of fat and stimulate muscle, which can help weight loss patients maintain their results, but they'll likely need an additional modality to address loose skin and worsening skin quality (from gaining and losing weight). PHYSIQ 360 can work synergistically with a radiofrequency treatment like VirtueRF or EVERESSE as well as a laser like HELIX. Some providers may even combine all three: body contouring, radiofrequency, and laser on top. 

When creating combination protocols, consider the unique needs of each patient, where they are in their weight loss journey (and what is still likely to evolve and change when it comes to their appearance and body composition), and their tolerance for downtime and number of office visits. 

If you’re interested in stepping up your offerings for weight loss offerings with best-in-class technology, connect with your Cartessa representative or fill out a contact us form to get in touch and learn more.