As weight-loss medications such as GLP-1s surge in popularity throughout the greater Atlanta area, many patients are encountering an unexpected side effect: loose or sagging skin. MetroDerm is sharing expert guidance from Dr. Corrie Alford, board-certified dermatologist, who practices at the Atlanta – Sandy Springs and Hiram locations, to help patients understand why sagging skin occurs and what options are available to address it.
Dr. Alford explains that sagging skin after weight loss is chiefly due to the loss of collagen and elastic tissue, the proteins that give the skin structure, firmness, and elasticity.
“Throughout our lives, collagen and elastic fibers are exposed to physical and environmental factors that compromise their structure and function,” she says. “As we age, we produce less of these proteins, so the skin loses its ability to ‘snap back.’ After weight loss, especially when the skin has been stretched for a long time, sagging becomes much more noticeable.”
Although many people look for natural or non-invasive solutions, Dr. Alford notes that options are limited. While collagen peptide supplements may offer minor benefits, they rarely create significant improvement. Instead, she recommends resistance training to help visually reduce sagging by building lean muscle mass.
“You can’t prevent the skin changes themselves,” Dr. Alford explains, “but increasing muscle can help fill the space left behind by fat loss.”
When asked about the most effective treatment for loose or sagging skin after weight loss, her answer is definitive: surgery remains the best and most reliable option. With more patients experiencing rapid weight loss from GLP-1 medications, demand for body-contouring procedures is rising, leading plastic surgeons to refine techniques to better meet patient needs.
Dr. Alford has observed a significant increase in concerns about sagging skin among MetroDerm patients.
“Initially, the majority of these cases came after bariatric surgery,” she notes. “Now, with the wider availability of GLP-1 medications, I’m seeing many more patients managing sagging skin related to weight loss.”
In addition to weight changes, other factors can contribute to skin laxity. Environmental stressors, such as UV exposure, air pollution, and smoking, accelerate collagen breakdown. Internal processes like glycation, which occurs with elevated blood sugar levels, also weaken collagen and elastin. Even repeated facial movements gradually degrade these structural proteins.
MetroDerm encourages individuals experiencing sagging skin after weight loss, whether from lifestyle changes, bariatric surgery, or GLP-1 use, to consult with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to explore the safest and most effective solutions.
Dr. Corrie Alford sees patients at MetroDerm’s Atlanta–Sandy Springs and Hiram locations. For appointments and more information, visit MetroDerm.org.