Art of Skin MD - Dr. Melanie D. Palm, MD MBA

Overview

Impact of Weight Loss on Soft Tissue : Dr Melanie Palm on GLP-1s and Changing Skin: Journal of Drugs and Dermatology: There’s a lot of talk about GLP-1 related changes to the skin. Is the medication to blame or does rapid weight loss in general lead to tissue changes? Dr, Melanie Palm: The short answer is that rapid weight loss itself, regardless of how it is achieved, is the primary driver of most tissue changes. Our review found that studies comparing bariatric surgery, dietary interventions, and GLP-1 therapy show broadly similar effects on skin laxity, muscle mass, and body composition. The rate and magnitude of weight loss appear to matter far more than the specific modality. That said, there is one area where GLP-1 agents may have a more direct, medication-specific effect: dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT), a metabolically distinct fat layer closely integrated with the dermis that contributes to skin thickness and facial volume. Early data suggest GLP-1 signaling may influence dWAT homeostasis independently of overall fat loss, which could partly explain the facial changes some patients experience. This is an active and important area of investigation, and further research is needed before we can draw firm conclusions. Read more:

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