GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS IN AESTHETIC MEDICINE: THERAPEUTIC BREAKTHROUGH OR CATALYST FOR UNREALISTIC BODY IDEALS?

Olga Kowalczyk; Anita Zięba; Michał Domin; Monika Kowalska; Katarzyna Ścibisz; Justyna Całka; Dominika Zdobylak; Karolina Ollik; Kamil Harenza; Mateusz Taranowicz

doi:10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.5160

Authors

Olga Kowalczyk Norbert Barlicki Memorial Teaching Hospital No. 1 of the Medical University of Lodz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4606-7736
Anita Zięba 1st Military Clinical Hospital with Outpatient Clinic, SPZOZ, Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9075-6555
Michał Domin Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński Voivodeship Specialist Hospital, Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9081-8485
Monika Kowalska 4th Military Clinical Hospital with Outpatient Clinic, SPZOZ, Wrocław, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1930-6460
Katarzyna Ścibisz 1st Military Clinical Hospital with Outpatient Clinic, SPZOZ, Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0491-8783
Justyna Całka 107th Military Hospital with Outpatient Clinic, SPZOZ, Wałcz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9378-6920
Dominika Zdobylak 4th Military Clinical Hospital with Outpatient Clinic, SPZOZ, Wrocław, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5702-7136
Karolina Ollik 10th Military Clinical Hospital with Outpatient Clinic, SPZOZ, Bydgoszcz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9577-9648
Kamil Harenza Mikołaj Pirogow Provincial Specialist Hospital, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6200-4672
Mateusz Taranowicz 118th Military Hospital with Outpatient Clinic, SPZOZ, Ełk, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2233-055X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.5160

Keywords:

GLP-1 RAs, Aesthetic Medicine, Obesity, Ethics

Abstract

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), including semaglutide and tirzepatide, have transformed obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus management through robust weight loss and metabolic benefits. GLP-1 RAs produce substantial weight loss through appetite suppression, delayed gastric emptying, and metabolic modulation. As these agents increasingly enter aesthetic medicine ecosystems - where weight management, body contouring, and skin health intersect with patient expectations about appearance - clinicians face dual questions: Do GLP-1 RAs represent a therapeutic breakthrough for patients seeking aesthetic improvements, or do they risk catalyzing unrealistic body ideals and exacerbating societal pressures around weight and appearance? This review synthesizes mechanistic, clinical, psychosocial, ethical, and regulatory dimensions of GLP-1 RA use in aesthetic contexts, drawing on a broad corpus of literature including recent reviews and primary studies, as well as the provided candidate references and additional sources. We examine (1) pharmacology and clinical efficacy for weight reduction and body composition, (2) esthetic implications of rapid weight loss, including facial volume changes and skin effects, (3) ethical and societal considerations surrounding body ideals, (4) risk–benefit and safety concerns in cosmetic and non-diabetic populations, (5) integration with other aesthetic modalities and multidisciplinary care, and (6) practical guidance for clinicians operating Ozempicin-like aesthetic clinics. We conclude with a framework for responsible, patient-centered deployment of GLP-1–based therapies within aesthetic medicine, emphasizing informed consent, psychosocial screening, realistic expectation management, and equitable access.

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