Fillers, Botox, facelifts and neck lifts were among the most popular cosmetic procedures in 2023, and this spike may have been caused by the GLP-1 drug boom of medications like Ozempic and Wegovy leading to rapid weight loss and sagging skin, according to a new report published Tuesday.
A woman receives Botox injections.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons found a 5% increase in plastic surgeries and a 7% increase in minimally invasive procedures compared to 2022, according to the report published Tuesday, which used patient data from over 1,600 plastic surgeons, dermatologists and otolaryngologists.
Facial and neck surgeries were two of the most popular types of procedures: facelifts, neck lifts, forehead lifts and submental (or chin) liposuctions all increased in 2023, despite some declining in 2022.
Neuromodulator injections (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and Jeuveau) were the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedures performed in 2023, making up almost 9.5 million procedures, followed by hyaluronic acid (or dermal) fillers with 5.3 million procedures.
These trends may be due to the boom in GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound, and the way rapid weight loss caused by the drugs results in a decline in skin elasticity, according to the report.
Skin sags after significant weight loss because carrying extra weight for an extended period of time can damage the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin, making it difficult for the skin to bounce back after the weight is lost.
“Ozempic face” is a popular phrase used to describe noticeable sagging and a hollow look in the faces of patients who take these GLP-1 drugs, and the American Academy of Dermatology Association said the most effective ways to fix loose skin are through cosmetic procedures like facelifts and fillers.
The rise of semaglutide (generic name for Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (generic name for Mounjaro and Zepbound) boomed in recent years. Prescriptions for Wegovy and Ozempic hit 9 million in the last months of 2022, a 300% increase from 2020. Southern states like Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi had the highest Ozempic prescribing rates in 2023. These drugs gained popularity after celebrities like Elon Musk, Oprah, Whoopi Goldberg and Sharon Osbourne shared their weight loss journeys while using the drugs. Researchers have even found the drugs may offer other health benefits, including curbing alcoholism and drug addiction, while also potentially helping treat sleep apnea, Alzheimer’s and kidney disease.
Increasing Evidence Suggests Ozempic (Semaglutide) Helps Curb Alcoholism (Forbes)