New weight loss injections, saggy skin and an increased demand for skin tightening
Body contouring professionals, be ready! Patients using the new weight loss injections are losing so much weight - at such a rapid rate - that their skin simply cannot keep up. And because the drugs are so effective at curbing the appetite, nutritional needs often go unmet, leading to muscle breakdown…which exacerbates the appearance of saggy skin…and further ignites the demand for skin tightening. We’ve been using the new weight loss injections as part of the medical weight loss program at our medspa and we’ve seen what it can do. In this article, we’ll share our expert insights about the new weight loss injections, the condition of saggy skin, the prevalence of muscle breakdown, and the best skin and muscle technologies to tighten skin and restore muscle mass.
But first…Why listen to us?
We are Shannon, an Esthetician, and Kay, an RN/Attorney, and we’ve spent more than twenty years in the medspa and healthcare industry as medspa owners/operators. Our current medspa reached 7-figures within the first year (2015) and continues to operate at that level today.
We’ve published body contouring books. We host a podcast sharing our health and beauty business knowledge. And we serve as faculty at the Body Contouring Academy.
We’ve been there and done that. And now we share our knowledge building and operating aesthetic and healthcare businesses with others.
I
What you need to know about the new weight loss injections and why they create an increased demand for skin tightening
What are the new weight loss drugs?
As of today, there are three medications used for medical weight loss which have been linked to the recent rise in saggy skin concerns. Each of these medications require a physician to prescribe them.
The two new weight loss drugs that are most commonly used for weight loss are
- Ozempic® (semaglutide), which has FDA approval to treat type 2 diabetes; and
- Wegovy® (semaglutide), which FDA approved for the treatment of overweight and obesity.
And a third medication is also reportedly being used for weight loss is:
- Mounjaro® (tirzepatide), which has FDA approval to treat type 2 diabetes.
All three of these medications are injected subcutaneously; there are no available oral forms at this time.
How do these new weight loss drugs work?
- Semaglutide is the generic name for the active ingredient in both Ozempic® and Wegovy®.
- These medications belong to a class of meds known as GLP-1 agonists which mimic the actions of a gut hormone called GLP-1.
- GLP-1 lowers the appetite. It slows the movement of food through the digestive system, and is naturally released after eating to create a feeling of fullness.
- These GLP-1 agonist medications also act in another way: by stimulating insulin release from the pancreas.
- Tirzepatide, the generic name for the active ingredient in Mounjaro® - also a GLP-1 agonist, works in much the same way as semaglutide.
Who can prescribe weight loss injections?
All three of these medications are prescription drugs, meaning that a physician must prescribe the medication/treatment.
The medical weight loss program at our medspa offers semaglutide. Our physician and nursing personnel manage the initial prescription education as well as the follow-up care for our medical weight loss patients.
Do the new weight loss drugs cause saggy skin, i.e. ‘Ozempic butt’?
- The answer is yes…in some people.
- But in reality, any substantial weight loss, especially when it occurs rapidly as it does with these medications, can lead to loose skin.
- Any part of the body can be affected, but most loose skin complaints center around the arms, thighs, abdomen and hips/buttocks.
Do the new weight loss injections cause muscle loss too?
- Yes. Experts have already found that semaglutide does lead to a decrease in muscle mass.
- We’ll dive deeper into muscle mass loss in Section II.
Risk factors increasing the likelihood of developing saggy skin with weight loss injections
- After being stretched the skin has the ability to return to its shape and size over time; we refer to this as skin elasticity.
- Some patients will develop loose skin with rapid weight loss.
- You can predict those who are at high risk. The patients who are at a higher risk of developing loose skin while using the weight loss drugs creating an increased demand for skin tightening follow:
- Age is a big risk factor; as your patient gets older her skin elasticity decreases.
- The higher amount of weight lost increases the likelihood of loose skin complaints.
- And the patient is at a higher risk If the extra weight has been present for a long time.
- Sun (UV) damage decreases skin elasticity and raises the risk of loose skin with rapid weight loss.
- Poor lifestyle choices regarding nutrition, sleep, hydration and exercise weaken the skin and put the patient at a higher risk of developing saggy skin.
II
Saggy skin, muscle breakdown and the increased demand for skin tightening
Rapid weight loss damages collagen and elastin cells
At least one clinical study evaluating therapies to improve the skin following weight loss, found that rapid weight loss caused collagen and elastin cell networks to be highly destructed.
Loose, saggy skin as a result of rapid weight loss: how it happens
- The skin is made up of two proteins, collagen and elastin.
- These two proteins give the skin its elasticity, strength and firm appearance.
- The fibers in the collagen and elastin give the skin the ability to stretch in periods of growth or rapid weight gain, i.e. pregnancy and adolescence.
- But when significant weight loss occurs too rapidly, the collagen and elastin cannot return to their pre-weight gain status, leading to loose, saggy skin.
- And as discussed in Section I, the loose skin condition is worse in patients with pre-existing damage to their collagen and elastin fibers, i.e. aging process, sun damage, etc.
A whopping 40% of the weight loss from semaglutide = muscle mass loss
A 2021 clinical trial looking at the effects of weight loss with semaglutide medications found that 40% of the weight lost by patients on the drugs was from a loss of lean muscle.
Muscle breakdown + loose skin is all-too-common with the new weight loss injections
- When the patient’s body isn’t getting enough energy from food, it will pull fat reserves for energy first.
- But when the patient is losing a significant amount of weight quickly (about three to four or more pounds per week), her body will need to pull the energy it needs from the muscles.
- The more weight a patient loses in a short period of time, the more muscle mass she will lose in addition to the fat.
III
The best skin tightening and muscle toning technologies to meet the increased demand for skin tightening
Some patients are bothered by loose skin…and others are not
- Not all patients are distressed with saggy skin from rapid weight loss. These patients are so happy with the weight loss, that the loose skin does not bother them.
- But for other patients, the loose skin causes major distress. Thus, the increased demand for skin tightening.
Exercise and home skin care remedies are not enough
⇒ Home care alone will not suffice.
⇒ Treatments are required to improve the loose skin created by rapid weight loss.
⇒ Body contouring professionals can choose from many treatment options for these patients.
Non-Invasive treatment options for loose skin and loss of muscle mass caused by rapid weight loss
#1 Skin Tightening Treatments for loose, saggy skin
Radiofrequency (RF) is the gold standard technology for the treatment of loose skin.
- Fortunately, we have many RF machines to address loose skin
- Level I Medical Grade single technology machines (if you are a physician or medspa)
Ex: TempSure, Thermage FLX RF, LipoCel
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- Level III Entry Level combination technology machines (for both non-medical and medical providers)
Ex: 6 in 1 Cavitation machine with RF and Vacuum/LED
The need for Radio Frequency (RF) Skin Tightening
It’s estimated that as many as 70 - 90 percent of the adult population suffers from some form of skin laxity, and add to that the increased number of weight loss injection patients…and you have an incredible demand for skin tightening.
What are Radio Frequency (RF) treatments?
Radio frequency (RF) technology utilizes wavelengths of heat energy to produce a specific measure of heating to the skin. When applied to the skin, this controlled heating prompts the body to produce new and improved collagen and elastin cells to replace the damaged cells.
How to perform Radio Frequency (RF) treatments
- We recommend that you start with a series of 6 to 8 treatments.
- Schedule treatments weekly or 2 times per week, but the treatments should not be spaced closer than 72 hours apart.
- Each treatment yields subtle improvement and builds upon the progress from the previous treatment.
PRO TIP: When predicting the number of treatments needed, refer to the risk factors in Section I, as these risk factors also predict time of response to treatments.
How to get certified in Radio Frequency (RF) Skin Tightening
At the Body Contouring Academy, we believe that every body contouring professional should offer skin tightening treatments.
Skin tightening treatments treatments are
- Affordable
- Highly effective
- Have the ability to treat loose skin located just about anywhere on the body
- And do not involve downtime, discomfort or significant side effects
Skin tightening treatments are also in high demand and very profitable!
So…we authored our skin tightening body contouring certification course.
Radio Frequency (RF) Skin Tightening Certification
(The Body Contouring 6 in 1 Masterclass)
A
Multi-Technology Combination
Skin Tightening + Fat Reduction
Body Contouring Certification Course
This skin tightening body contouring certification course teaches RF skin tightening, and gives you several bonus benefits:
After completing this skin tightening certification course, you can start performing
- Skin tightening treatments
PLUS!
- Fat reduction treatments
- Cellulite smoothing treatments
- Stretch mark reduction treatments
- All in just one body contouring certification course.
Body Contouring Academy’s Skin Tightening Certification Course!
(The 6in1 Masterclass, a Multi-Technology Skin Tightening + Fat Reduction Certification Course)
#2 Muscle Stimulation Treatments: to build muscle mass lost during rapid weight loss
Electromagnetic muscle stimulation is the affordable gold standard technology to improve muscle mass.
- Several machines are available to increase muscle tone and assist to build muscle mass.
- Level I Medical Grade muscle toning machines (if you are a physician or medspa)
Ex: Emsculpt, CoolTone, TruSculpt Flex
-
- Level III Entry Level machines (for both non-medical and medical providers)
What are Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) muscle toning treatments?
- Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation (EMS), involves the induction of muscle fiber contractions using electrical impulses.
- The contractions are stimulated via electrode pads that adhere to the skin.
- It can recruit more muscle fibers and cause much more and substantially deeper muscle contractions than can a workout.
- Building back the muscle mass lost during rapid weight loss.
How to perform Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) treatments
- Electrodes are placed on the muscle group to induce muscle fiber contractions using electrical impulses.
- The treatments are administered weekly and can be done biweekly as long as the treatments are no closer than 72 hours apart.
How to get certified in Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) treatments
Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) is another technology every body contouring provider should offer. After all, it’s one of the six most popular body contouring treatments…even before the weight loss injection phenomenon that is leading to muscle mass loss and demand for skin tightening.
That’s why we authored an Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) body contouring certification course…
Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) Course for Body Contouring
#3 ‘Treatment Enhancers’ to accelerate and optimize Skin Tightening and Muscle Toning treatments
Did you know there is a technology that provides support and enhancement for BOTH Radiofrequency (RF) and Muscle Stimulation technologies?
- Level III Whole Body Vibration Therapy (for both non-medical and medical providers)
What is Whole Body Vibration Therapy?
Whole Body Vibration Therapy is a body contouring therapy that utilizes passive exercise to cause intense, yet comfortable, muscle contractions leading to increased blood circulation and lymphatic circulation and causing muscle contractions.
The increased circulation improves skin cells and the muscle contractions lead to stronger muscles.
How to perform Whole Body Vibration Therapy
- The patient stands on the Vibration Platform.
- A typical program or ‘treatment’ on the vibration platform runs a short ten minutes.
- You will not need to book a treatment room for a vibration therapy session because you may place the vibration machine anywhere in your business.
- The patient may safely do sessions every day.
How to get certified in Whole Body Vibration Therapy
Not only does Vibration Therapy enhance body contouring treatments like Radio Frequency (RF) SkinTightening and Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation (EMS), it is a great tool to build your business too!
We share how we use Vibration Therapy as a business builder tool in our medspa as well as a treatment enhancer - in our Vibration Therapy Body Contouring Certification course…
Whole Body Vibration Therapy Online Body Sculpting Course
IV
Final Thoughts
The rise of new weight loss injections has revolutionized the weight loss landscape, providing effective solutions but also introducing challenges such as saggy skin and muscle breakdown. As body contouring professionals, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve and be prepared to meet the increasing demand for skin tightening treatments.
The new weight loss drugs, including Ozempic® (semaglutide), Wegoby® (semaglutide), and Mounjaro® (tirzepatide), have demonstrated remarkable weight loss results. However, the rapid pace of weight loss can lead to saggy skin and muscle loss, prompting a surge in demand for skin tightening procedures.
Understanding the mechanisms of these medications, the risk factors for developing saggy skin, and the impact on muscle mass is essential for providing comprehensive care. As we've discussed in Section II, rapid weight loss can damage collagen and elastin cells, leading to loose, saggy skin. Additionally, a significant portion of weight loss, up to 40%, may result from muscle mass loss.
Recognizing the need for effective solutions, we've highlighted two key technologies in Section III to address both loose skin and muscle toning: Radiofrequency (RF) Skin Tightening and Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation (EMS). These non-invasive treatments offer a range of benefits, including affordability, effectiveness, and the ability to target various body areas.
At the Body Contouring Academy, we believe in empowering body contouring professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate this evolving landscape.
- Our Skin Tightening Certification Course (The 6in1 Masterclass) covers RF technology comprehensively, providing practitioners with the expertise to perform skin tightening, fat reduction, cellulite smoothing, and stretch mark reduction treatments.
- Furthermore, we recognize the importance of addressing muscle mass loss, especially with the increasing prevalence of weight loss injections. Our Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) Course equips professionals with the tools to help patients rebuild muscle mass lost during rapid weight loss.
- To enhance the effectiveness of these treatments, we've introduced Whole Body Vibration Therapy as a treatment enhancer and business-building tool. Our Whole Body Vibration Therapy Certification Course explores how this technology can optimize results and contribute to the growth of your medical spa.
In the ever-growing field of body contouring, staying informed and adopting innovative technologies are key to meeting the rising demand for skin tightening. Our courses at the Body Contouring Academy are designed to provide you with the expertise and tools necessary to excel.