With more than 20 years of experience in medical aesthetics as well as decades as a GP, Dr. John Tanqueray MB BCh MRCGP DCH DRCOG DipOccMed BCAM has seen the emergence and development of the non-surgical cosmetic and anti-aging skin treatments market.
Throughout his career, he has closely monitored remarkable advancements in technologies and products that are constantly evolving. He’s also closely watched the impact of weight loss injections over the last few years, which have literally changed the shape of Hollywood, helping celebs lose massive amounts of weight, but not without controversy about the sustainability of results as well as the ethics of using a product designed for diabetes treatment for cosmetic purposes.
In his latest newsletter for subscribers, he explored the rise of Ozempic and the like:
‘O-Face’ What you NEED to know about weight loss injections
Here’s what he said:
“Red carpet season is underway, with the BAFTAS last weekend and the Oscars next month.
“It’s always a good time to celebrity-gaze and admire the glamour and fashion choices; but as the conversation around body image and health evolves, the use of Ozempic has introduced a new layer of speculation during red carpet season. Fans and media might wonder whether certain stars look different due to recent weight changes and whether they’re using Ozempic (or equivalent), which has been associated with significant weight loss results.
“I thought this would be a good time to explore the weight loss injections phenomenon and provide some information from a medical aesthetics perspective.”
What is O-Face?
“Rising use of weight loss injections GLP1/Ozempic/Wegovy/Mounjaro has led to the term O-Face. This term describes the visible side-effects that can occur because of weight loss.”
How widely-used are weight loss injections?
“In recent months these drugs have hit the headlines and have boosted value of global drug companies beyond the imagination (GDP) – this market was worth $24.4 billion in 2023 and anticipated to exceed $200 billion by 2031.
“They are clearly being widely used. We have not carried out a survey ourselves, but a clinic in Poland reports that 15% of their patients are using weight loss injections, while a clinic in Marbella gives a figure of25%.”
Is there an implication for aesthetic treatments?
“Several years ago when these drugs first came into use I had a memorable conversation with a cynical clinic owner who was very pleased with himself: weight loss patients loved the injections because they lost weight rapidly, but even better (for him) his patients wanted fillers to correct the volume loss from their face. Better still (again, for him) once his patients stopped using the drug, they regained the weight quickly and would come back for more injections.
“More recently I met another doctor who shared a similar experience. When he reviewed his weight loss patients every 2 months they would automatically be booked for fillers or skin boosters to combat the inevitable facial volume loss.”
What is the evidence?
“At a recent conference in Paris there were 2 notable presentations on this topic, both given by doctors who had themselves used the injections and felt they had been of great benefit to them. But what were the issues?
“A study was presented looking at patients who used the injections for 10 months – on average they lost 42% of the fat in their temple region and as much as 70% of the fat in their cheeks. Bearing in mind that loss of fat is a key factor behind aging changes in the face these findings are very significant.
“Other findings were of a gaunt appearance with hollowing around the eyes, dry and fragile skin and an increase in wrinkles. Overall patients appeared 5 years older following treatment.”
What should I consider if I’m using weight loss injections?
- Chewing exercises – these will help maintain the masseter muscles which give shape and support at the back of the jawline.
- Facial exercises – facial muscles can become lazy and lax and lead to additional effects on laxity in the lower face
- Maintain balanced nutrition – make sure you are consuming enough healthy protein and nourishment
- Consider good skincare and/or injectable skin boosters – as the skin can become dry and lifeless anything you can do to restore hydration and vibrancy will help. A skin-tightening treatment like Ultherapy could also be beneficial.
- Finally it is very likely that maintenance of the fat pads using a volumising filler will help prevent a gaunt appearance and help prevent sagging.
In conclusion:
“The main message is that these drugs are very effective, but if you are considering treatment it may be worth pre-planning and acting early to maintain your important features.
“We’re always happy to advise. With decades of experience as a GP and senior nurse, we have the medical background to take a holistic view of treatments and to consider the wider context of health and lifestyle as well as appearance.”
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Dr John Tanqueray, MB BCh MRCGP DCH DRCOG DipOccMed BCAM is a highly experienced medical professional with a wealth of knowledge in anti-aging treatments. As a former GP, Dr. Tanqueray also understands the importance of a healthy weight. He takes a holistic approach to healthcare, considering both medical and aesthetic needs, can can give informed and personalised advice on the most appropriate treatments or products based on individual needs.
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Mulberry House Clinic
Mulberry House Clinic was established in 2003 and offers an impressive array of the latest skin treatment technology as well as popular anti-ageing injections and IPL hair removal.
For further information or to arrange a confidential consultation, please complete our contact form, call 01604 702630 or email: info@mulberryhouseclinic.co.uk.
