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Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The hidden costs of weight-loss drugs: What experts want you to know
The world of dieting has never seen such an effective tool. Weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy have been revolutionary, changing the lives of countless people struggling with obesity. In the UK, NHS experts have warned that services are overstretched trying to deal with unprecedented demand from patients wanting to try these exceptionally effective drugs, which - originally a treatment for type 2 diabetes - have become household names. But leading health professionals warn that these medications come with significant side effects that extend far beyond appetite suppression. Hair loss: A startling side effect As the pounds shed, so can the hair. Dr Ross Kopelman, a hair transplant surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration, has seen a marked increase in hair thinning among patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic. "Hair loss is often an overlooked side effect of rapid weight loss with these medications. While not everyone experiences it, I see it frequently enough that I always advise patients to support their hair and scalp health proactively - with proper nutrition, stress management, and sometimes targeted treatments," he explains. Registered trichologist and Seed & Soul founder Deborah Maguire adds, "When the body experiences a calorie deficit, it reallocates nutrients to sustain essential organs, often leaving hair follicles deprived. Weight loss medications that suppress appetite mean individuals may not consume enough of the key nutrients required to support healthy hair growth." Muscle loss: A hidden danger Muscle loss is particularly concerning for menopausal women, who are already vulnerable due to declining oestrogen levels, according to Sandra Roycroft-Davis, a leading behavioural change specialist and author of The Weight's Over. "When weight drops rapidly due to extreme calorie restriction, the body doesn't just burn fat - it also breaks down muscle tissue for energy. Studies on GLP-1 medications suggest that as much as 40% of total weight loss can come from lean muscle mass rather than fat," Sandra explains. Jordan Chadwick, Managing Director at Tonic Weight Loss Surgery, adds, "This muscle loss, known as sarcopenia, may result in decreased strength, stamina, and a lower resting metabolic rate, making long-term weight maintenance even harder." 'Ozempic face': The ageing effect A common side effect that is common among the dieting glitterati has become known as 'Ozempic face', where rapid fat loss causes facial volume depletion, leading to a gaunt, aged appearance. Dr Naheed Ali, a physician and Senior Contributor at Vera Clinic, explains, "Ozempic face is not exclusive to these drugs - any significant weight loss can lead to changes in facial structure. But for some, the effect is more dramatic than expected." Gastrointestinal problems: More than just nausea The side effects have been well documented - and aren't pretty. Weight loss drugs can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids and constipation, which can affect appetite, food intake, and nutrient absorption and therefore overall health. Dom Blonska, a personal trainer and nutrition coach, has seen extreme cases: "One of my clients was bed-bound and ended up in the hospital on an IV drip for three days with gut paralysis after taking weight loss injections." Other side effects: From bone density to mental health Beyond hair and muscle loss, users have reported extreme fatigue and weakness, hormonal imbalances leading to missed menstrual cycles, mood swings and even, in some cases, thoughts of suicide. A recent study showed users reported low blood pressure, including fainting, headaches, disturbed sleep, kidney stones, inflammation in the kidneys and a range of bone or joint pains and potentially deadly inflammation in the pancreas. Experts stress that potential users should address any underlying health issues before trying the jabs. "There is no quick fix," Blonska warns. "If your hormones are out of balance, weight loss drugs may make things worse." The physiological impact: What happens when you stop? The weight often returns - sometimes rapidly. Ashley O'Driscoll, a mum of one from Dublin, had been taking Ozempic for nearly 18 months, but she had to stop taking it when her finances changed, meaning she could no longer afford to spend £147 a month. For around six months - when she was totally Ozempic free - Ashley put on over two stone. "I'd literally eat anything I could get my hands on. You have a lot of cravings when you're not on Ozempic." But despite all this, studies have also suggested that weight loss drugs can significantly improve health, with one wide-scale study linking them to better heart health, fewer infections and fewer cases of dementia. So it seems the jury is still out. But one thing the experts do agree on is that you can't go wrong with a bit of exercise and a healthy diet. As Roycroft-Davis explains: "Ultimately, weight loss jabs don't teach people how to sustain results once they stop taking them. Without a focus on habit formation, mindset shifts, and behavioural change, many people will find themselves back at square one. The real conversation should be: What happens after the jab? And how do we ensure people have the right tools to maintain lasting health, strength and confidence in their own body?"
South China Morning Post
08-04-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Animal-based skincare is back: Gwyneth Paltrow is a fan of bee venom, K-beauty favours snail mucin and some swear by salmon sperm, while La Prairie, Rodial boast innovative products
Vegan skincare once held court as the undisputed queen of the beauty aisle, flaunting plant-powered formulas that promised to banish dullness and moral guilt in one green swipe. But social media thrives on reinvention, and the tides have recently turned. Enter the primal allure of animal-based skincare, a revival that's part old-world remedy, part TikTok-fuelled fascination. Leading this renaissance is beef tallow, an ingredient once relegated to pie crusts and candles , now rebranded as a moisturising marvel. With a fatty acid profile said to mimic the skin's natural oils, beef fat is feted for addressing everything from dryness to fine lines. Tallow Original Balm. Photo: Handout Advertisement 'Some people think that beef tallow is unethically sourced,' explains Stella Dinnis, medical aesthetician at Florida-based St Pete Wellness & MedSpa. 'However, it can be sourced responsibly – the animals are raised ethically and live in natural conditions. Also, tallow is usually a by-product of the meat industry, so it uses parts of the animal that would [otherwise] go to waste.' Dinnis also dismisses a common misconception: 'Many assume it clogs your pores because of the grease, but tallow is easily absorbed, which helps hydrate and repair the skin. Its structure is similar to the oils we produce in our skin.' Still, she cautions that everyone's skin is different. Animal-based skincare may seem novel in today's world of lab-engineered serums, but its history runs deep. The ancient Egyptians slathered themselves in animal fats and honey; the ancient Greeks swore by donkey-milk baths for radiant skin; while in Korea, snail mucin – the central component of mucus – has been a beauty staple for centuries, revered for its hydrating and healing properties. COSRX Advanced Snail 92. Photo: Handout In today's market, animal-derived collagen , for example, is often praised for its anti-ageing properties, but how does it compare to plant-based or synthetic options? 'A problem with plant-based alternatives is that they are not technically collagen,' notes Dr Gizem Seymenoglu, a medical aesthetician at the Longevita clinic in London. 'That's because plants do not produce this protein. However, in light of the environmental impact of bovine and marine collagen, vegan collagen does offer a suitable alternative,' she adds. Dr Hannah Kopelman, a dermatologist at the New York branch of Kopelman Hair Restoration, explains that the effectiveness of animal-derived collagen lies in the fact that it contains the same amino acids our bodies use to build collagen – like glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. 'These act as building blocks to replenish and repair the skin's collagen matrix,' she says. La Prairie Skin Caviar. Photo: Handout Egg-white facials, straight from vintage beauty lore, are also making a comeback. This DIY trend involves slathering whisked egg whites on to the face to tighten pores and smooth the skin. While proteins in egg whites offer a lifting effect, the result is often short lived, and once you factor in the smell, and risks like salmonella and allergies, the experience is far from spa-worthy. Still, influencers are actively flaunting their 'egg-white glow' all across social media.
