When you start a GLP-1, the physical changes are often quick and visible. Hair starts shedding in new ways, facial volume shifts faster than expected and the neck can look looser from one month to the next. On this episode of The Beauty Authority, we explore why these changes happen, how they relate to rapid weight loss and what you can do to manage them. West Palm Beach, FL dermatologist Jacob Beer, MD explains the biology behind these concerns and the most effective ways to support your skin and hair during the process.
Hair Loss and Thinning
Hair often reflects the earliest signs of change, and according to Dr. Beer, the process is far more nuanced than a simple shedding phase. “A lot dermatologists will chalk up the shedding process to something called telogen effluvium,” he says. “But when you delve into it a little bit more, there’s more intricacies and more nuance.” That nuance dictates the response, and for him the response begins immediately.
“As soon as my patient starts losing hair, then I like to be as aggressive as possible, as quickly as possible,” he explains. “It’s really hard to regrow hair and it’s much easier and simpler to maintain the hair you have.” His says his approach includes using nutraceuticals such as Xtresse, Nutrafol or Viviscal, paired with topicals. “Rogaine, topical minoxidil, topical finasteride, topical dutasteride, either medicated or over-the-counter, should be used regularly,” he says. When stronger intervention is needed, he turns to oral options. “Dutasteride is a really great medication and minoxidil pills are very helpful as well.”
Facial Hollowing
As many patients taking a GLP-1 have noticed, facial contours can shift as volume redistributes, particularly in areas that already tend to thin with age. “A lot of patients tend to lose volume in the temples and around the cheeks,” Dr. Beer explains. “Past the age of 30, we tend to lose bone in our face. We tend to lose the fat pads. But with this rapid weight loss, it’s we’re mostly seeing fat loss.” His says recommends patients address these changes early on. While everyone’s treatment is different, he says typically his protocol includes revolumization with a hyaluronic acid filler along with deeper support from a biostimulatory filler. “I want something that will work really well and look great initially,” he says, “and then something that will continue to work in the background.”
Neck Laxity
Changes in the neck present differently because the anatomy itself is layered, and each layer responds in its own way. “The neck is kind of one of the top concerns that I hear daily or almost daily,” Dr. Beer says. “There’s the upper part of the skin, the lower part of the skin and then there’s fat and fascia and muscle below that.” Knowing which layer is responsible informs the treatment. “The muscle issue can be addressed really nicely with neurotoxin. The texture issue can be addressed with resurfacing lasers and then the volume issue may also require some sort of filler.”
Next Steps
If these concerns are new to you, Dr. Beer says questions are your best tool to understand what’s happening and what treatments will work best. “Push the provider a little bit,” he advises. “They should be able to explain to you in terms that makes sense why they are doing a specific procedure, why they are using a specific product, where exactly they are injecting and at what level.” If an answer feels vague or overly confident, that may be a sign to look elsewhere.
Dr. Beer says GLP-1 aesthetic changes are real, but they are manageable. With the right plan and the right provider, you can stay ahead of the shifts and maintain balance through every stage of your journey.
