Losing Weight on a GLP-1? Let’s Talk About Your Skin.

One of the conversations I have with patients starts like this: “I’m happy I lost the weight. I just didn’t expect my face to change so much.”

Sometimes it’s the cheeks. Sometimes it’s the skin under the eyes or the way the neck looks in a photograph. They feel better about their health, but their face looks more tired than they feel.

If that sounds familiar, it’s a reasonable thing to care about. You can appreciate what your medication has done for you and want to understand what’s happening to your skin.

As a facial surgeon, I look at these changes from more than one angle. There’s the volume underneath the skin, the quality of the skin itself, and the health of the person in front of me. Each deserves attention.

First, your face loses weight too.

The fat in your face helps give it shape. When you lose some of that fullness, your cheeks may look flatter, the area under your eyes may seem more hollow, and folds that were less noticeable can become more apparent.

People often call this “Ozempic face,” but the nickname doesn’t tell you much about what’s happening. Facial changes can accompany significant weight loss with or without medication. Age, skin elasticity and the amount of weight lost all help shape what you see.

It also helps to separate lost volume from changes in skin quality. A hollow cheek and dry, rough-feeling skin are different concerns. They may show up together, but they don’t necessarily need the same solution.

Then there’s what happens at the table.

When your appetite changes, your meals often change with it.

You might feel full halfway through lunch. Dinner becomes a few bites. A food you used to enjoy suddenly doesn’t appeal to you. If nausea is part of the picture, getting through a meal can become a task in itself.

Over time, smaller meals can mean less protein and fewer vitamins and minerals. That doesn’t happen to everyone taking a GLP-1, but it is worth paying attention to.

Your skin still needs nourishment when you’re losing weight. Protein supplies amino acids. Vitamin C helps your body make collagen. Other nutrients have roles in normal skin function and repair. Eating less makes it important to think about what is actually making it onto your plate.

So what should you actually eat?

For a practical place to start, explore our Skin Reset. It gives you a way to put these ideas into your daily routine.

Start Your Skin Reset →

I start with food. Before adding another product to your routine, take an honest look at a typical day. Are you getting regular meals? Is there a source of protein? Are you managing some fruit and vegetables, or mostly eating whatever feels easiest?

You don’t need a perfect diet. You need a way of eating that works with the appetite you have.

Make room for protein when you eat. Eggs, Greek yogurt, fish, chicken, tofu and beans are useful options. If a large meal feels overwhelming, smaller meals may be more manageable. Your clinician or dietitian can help you work out how much protein is right for you.

Use the foods you enjoy. A bowl of yogurt with berries, eggs with peppers, or salmon with vegetables can give you a practical starting point. This doesn’t have to turn into a complicated meal plan.

Tell your prescriber when eating becomes difficult. Persistent nausea, vomiting or barely being able to eat deserves a conversation. You shouldn’t have to quietly work around those problems on your own.

And remember that “I’m eating less” and “I’m getting what I need” are two separate things. The scale can’t tell you the whole story.

Address the gaps in what you’re getting.

Start with food, then address what is missing. If you’re struggling to eat enough, ask your clinician or dietitian to help you build a manageable plan. If you have a deficiency, treat it with the right nutrient and dose.

Targeted supplements have a role when intake is inadequate or a deficiency has been identified. The goal is to give your body what it needs consistently, rather than adding a collection of products without knowing what they’re for.

I developed Mendora’s Skin Repair Formula to make daily skin nutrition easier. It brings collagen peptides, amino acids, vitamin C, zinc, hyaluronic acid and ceramides together in one daily scoop, designed to support skin from within. Use it alongside your meals and a nutrition plan that meets your overall needs.

What if you’re considering a skin treatment?

Tell your aesthetic provider that you’re taking a GLP-1, whether you’re still losing weight, and how you’re managing with food. Those details belong in the consultation just as much as your skincare routine does.

In my practice, I want to understand what is changing before choosing a treatment. Are we looking at lost volume? Loose skin? A concern about texture? Is the patient eating well and ready for recovery?

Procedures stimulate. Nutrition supplies.

Before a treatment, make sure your nutrition is part of the preparation. Tell your provider if you’re barely eating or having trouble tolerating meals, and address identified deficiencies with your healthcare team. Your body needs the materials for repair as well as the treatment that starts the process.

Before a treatment, make sure your nutrition is part of the preparation. Tell your provider if you’re barely eating or having trouble tolerating meals, and address identified deficiencies with your healthcare team. Your body needs the materials for repair as well as the treatment that starts the process.

You don’t have to figure it all out yourself.

If you’re noticing unusual fatigue, increased hair shedding, slow healing or difficulty eating enough, bring it up with the clinician managing your medication. These symptoms can have several causes. Depending on your history and diet, they may recommend nutritional advice or specific blood tests.

You can start the conversation simply: “I’m pleased with my weight loss, but I’m eating much less and noticing changes in my skin. Can we look at whether I’m getting enough nutrition?”

That is a good question to ask. You deserve care that pays attention to how you feel, how you’re eating and the changes that matter to you.

Further reading

Karlin J, Li Z, Parsa K. The Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist–Induced Nutritional Deficiencies on Skin Health: A Narrative Review With a Proposed Framework for the Aesthetic Practitioner. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum. Published September 11, 2026. doi:10.1093/asjof/ojag169.