The Ozempic & Other GLP-1 Side Effects That Can Make Your Beauty Routine More Expensive

It seems like the word 'Ozempic' is on everyone's lips, fueled by red carpet appearances showing celebs who have totally transformed after taking the diabetic drug. But with Ozempic being touted as a 'miracle drug', the lasting consequences of the rise of Ozempic are at the forefront. And no, we're not talking about 'Ozempic neck' or any other physical transformations, because this particular side effect is more damaging to your wallet in the long run. Ulta Beauty CEO Kecia Steelman dropped a bombshell during an exclusive interview on Yahoo Finance's "Opening Bid Unfiltered" podcast, where she revealed that an uptick in sales was due to customers trying to deal with the side effects of taking Ozempic and other GLP-1s.

Steelman shared that hair loss and skin elasticity are the primary concerns of GLP-1 users. According to the Cleveland Health Clinic, while hair loss hasn't been formally deemed a GLP-1 side effect, it's caused by the body re-sorting its priorities to shield other key functions, due to how severely Ozempic impacts your body. And when it comes to skin elasticity, the rapid loss of weight naturally leads to loose skin that leaves you with an aging appearance. For those thinking about starting a GLP-1, the cost of adding to your beauty routine might be grievous, which should be taken into consideration before getting on the diabetic drug.

It's possible that those using GLP-1s could possibly take a more severe hit to their bank account, as they may have to go a step further than merely purchasing beauty products. While beauty retailers are seeing booming demand, one section of the beauty industry is also seeing a new influx of customers — the cosmetic surgery world has seen a rise in procedures such as buccal fat removal and fillers. Some are even taking these procedures to the next level and extending them past the face to sculpt the body as well.

Dr. Azza Halim, board-certified physician and founder of Azza MD Beauty, exclusively shared her observations with Cosmetics Business. "What we are seeing is an increasing demand to restore facial volume and tighten sagging skin with procedures such as dermal fillers, fat grafting ... along with facelifts, necklifts in conjunction with laser and radiofrequency skin tightening." According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, dermal fillers range between $700 to $900 per syringe, though costs are subject to change on a per-clinic basis. And don't even get us started on the cost of a facelift, which is estimated to be priced at $11,395. Although these procedures aren't exactly necessary, those chasing a youthful glow might see the cost as worth it.