How GLP-1 weight loss is causing demand for aesthetic care and affecting patient treatment

As more patients turn to GLP-1 medications for diabetes and weight management, changes in the face are an area that has been giving some of its users concerns. For instance, some patients are experiencing fat loss that can make wrinkles deeper, cheeks sag or facial features appear older. This effect is creating new considerations for clinicians and health leaders.

New York plastic surgeon Konstantin Vasyukevich, M.D., told Managed Healthcare Executive recently these changes can influence more than just appearance. He shared that appearance-related concerns can sometimes prevent patients from taking medically necessary GLP-1 medications.

“I think this is the part that's not always understood by the payers, right? That there's a psychological factor that affects how compliant people are with their medical treatment,” Vasyukevich said. “So if people feel uneasy about taking medication that's going to change their appearance, and they know that they cannot afford any cosmetic procedures that would improve their appearance, they might just not take the medication altogether.”

From a payer or health system perspective, this insight is crucial. Even if dermatologic or aesthetic services are not covered benefits, the rising demand is a sign that patients’ psychological concerns can impact adherence to medically necessary treatments. Vasyukevich stressed that leaders should recognize that appearance-related worries are not minor, as they can affect outcomes and overall health.

Clinicians also play a role in identifying which patients may be more likely to experience noticeable facial changes. Vasyukevich noted that older patients are generally at higher risk, with factors such as skin quality, soft tissue condition and the potential amount of weight loss influencing

how pronounced the changes might be.

“Typically, it's associated with people of older demographics, so somebody in their 30s would definitely be less likely to develop this aging changes than somebody in their 40s or 50s,” he said. “Skin, the appearance of the skin, the soft tissue quality, the amount of weight that somebody can potentially lose with taking those medications, all of those things would be associated with the prognosis and how severely this side effect would be present in any individual.”