By Smita Ahluwalia, award-winning facialist and holistic beauty therapist specialising in skin of colour and menopause.
As a beauty therapist, I’ve always believed that true beauty is a blend of inner health, outer glow, and emotional well-being, especially during the transformative and sometimes turbulent stages of menopause and perimenopause. Recently, GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) have become big conversations in my treatment room, not just for their metabolic benefits, but also for how they intersect with ageing, skin, and confidence. While I am in no position to recommend my clients to take or not to take one of these medications, I am fascinated by the changes I am seeing in clinic.
Tackling the “Meno Belly” and its ripple effects
Menopause brings hormonal shifts (particularly a decline in oestrogen) that slow metabolism, increase stubborn abdominal fat (“meno belly”), and spark insulin resistance. GLP-1 medications help tackle this by curbing appetite, boosting feelings of fullness, and improving blood sugar control. For my clients, that often translates into noticeable weight loss around the midriff, more energy, and a lighter mood… All of which are foundations for better skin health and self-esteem.
A tool against hot flashes (and skin irritation)
Hot flashes are more than annoying and embarrassing. They disrupt sleep, ruin outfits, melt makeup, and leave skin more ruddy than radient. They are often one of the more difficult menopause symptoms for my client’s to manage and play havoc with the skin, worsening rosacea and acne. Emerging evidence suggests GLP-1s may help stabilize body temperature by modulating hypothalamic function and improving glucose control. Anecdotal evidence from women in menopause forums (and some of my clients) report drastic reductions in hot flashes shortly after starting GLP-1s. While not definitive science yet, it’s encouraging to see clients feeling more comfortable in their skin.
Psychosocial benefits
As well as reduced weight, increased mobility and less hot flashes, many of my clients are reporting wellness benefits such as better sleep, overall mood and more positive reinforcement in their work and social lives. This is likely due to being slimmer, because, as we all know that as women, and despite the efforts of the body positive movement, many would do whatever they can to achieve their goal weight, although some may not admit that. As a society we are quick to reward someone for losing weight without considering why or how they have lost weight (it could be due to stress or illness) and how that input could affect the person mentally.
With the increased availability of weight loss medications, many are reaping the benefits of positive reinforcement from those around them but I worry, is that a long term thing? Especially after the news of the recent price hikes – will my clients be able to continue to afford it?
As a beauty therapist, I do my best not to feed into toxic enforcement of beauty ideals and rather focus on how my client is feeling while observing and recording changes in their skin.
Rapid weight loss: The “Ozempic Face” concern
When it comes to GLP-1s, it is not all about visible benefits. There are some well recorded visible downsides too.
Rapid fat loss, especially in the face, can lead to sagging skin and hollow cheeks, resulting in the much-spoken-about “Ozempic face”. Worse yet, for clients simultaneously experiencing menopause-related skin laxity and loss of collagen, the combined effect can age the appearance prematurely.
My clients often come to me because they prefer to take a more natural, holistic approach to ageing, rather than jumping to fillers and biostimulators but I am in full support in those who do as injected hyaluronic acid will help restore volume and soften lines associated with the effects of menopause and rapid ageing.
In my clinic, I like to use a combination of therapies and devices to improve laxity and boost collagen including, radiofrequency microneedling, light therapies and mechanical massage.
Skincare plays an important role too, so I always recommend products that also help boost collagen and elastin and thicken the dermis. I love to use AllSkinMed Growth Factor Regenerating Ampules for its redensifying properties that increase skin firmness and elasticity and reduce expression lines and wrinkles.
Emepelle is a skincare line I love to recommend as it is specifically designed for women experiencing skin changes due to menopause
Some brands like Fillmed are bringing out topical products (Vol.u.lift) especially for “Ozempic face” to restore volume.
Preserving muscle, bone and hair
While GLP-1 induced weight loss is valuable for those in need of it, potential downsides like muscle, bone and loss mustn’t be ignored. In my holistic practice, I encourage clients to complement GLP-1 therapy with:
- Resistance training 2-3 times weekly to preserve lean mass and tone the body.
- High protein intake and a nutrient rich diet. While appetite is low it is important to prioritise nutrients – not only for the skin but for overall health.
- Biotin is known to help with hairloss so as well as therapies like scalp microneedling I recommend clients with thinning hair to supplement it.
A holistic strategy
It’s important to remember that GLP-1s are not a silver bullet. The clients I see thriving on these medications tend to be integrating:
Holistic lifestyle choices
Balanced nutrition, sleep hygiene, stress management to support metabolic shifts.
Thoughtful medical supervision
Especially around HRT and GLP-1 interactions (e.g. absorption issues with oral hormones).
Community support
Attending events such as Pause Live to learn from other women and experts about their experiences and emerging evidence about GLP-1 and how it intersects with menopause.
Why Beauty Therapists Matter in the GLP-1 Era
We’re at the intersection where aesthetic expectations meet medical impacts. As beauty professionals, we have the opportunity to:
- Be early detectors of skin laxity or volume loss, offering cosmetic solutions before concerns escalate.
- Advise clients on nutrition, strength training, and self-care that enhance both therapeutic outcomes and beauty goals.
- Provide emotional support, helping women reclaim confidence during a biologically and emotionally challenging life stage.
GLP-1 medications are becoming a tool in menopause management, tackling weight gain, hot flashes, and metabolic shifts that not only dampen the skin, but also mood, and confidence. But without mindful integration of holistic therapies, the results can feel harsh or hollow.
As beauty therapists, we can help by blend clinical insight, years of knowledge, and emotional care guiding our clients through change with grace, resilience, and the radiance they deserve.
BIO
Smita is a highly qualified Facialist with over 20 years’ experience in the world of beauty. A very experienced professional who has worked tirelessly to deliver a service which focuses on the highest quality. Smita has worked with doctors and dermatologists which has given her great insight into combining medical and aesthetic skin treatments to achieve the best results. And her skills do not stand still – She is dedicated to continually improving and updating her treatments to ensure that her clients can enjoy the benefits of all the latest research in new advanced technologies.