The widespread use of Ozempic (semaglutide) for weight loss has significantly impacted cosmetic dermatology, according to Dr. Zaki Taher, a dermatologist and Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Alberta. He reported a 25% decrease in demand for body contouring treatments in his clinic due to the “Ozempic effect.” Conversely, facial volume loss associated with Ozempic use has led to an increased demand for fillers and facelifts, he noted during a presentation of cosmetic clinical pearls at the 99th annual meeting of the Canadian Dermatology Association in Ottawa.
In today’s post, Derm.City presents some the highlights of his presentation. A full report by correspondent Louise Gagnon is published in the Spring/Summer issue of The Chronicle of Cosmetic Medicine + Surgery, will be available soon for registered members.
Dr. Taher emphasized the efficacy of non-ablative fractional lasers in reducing future risk of keratinocyte carcinoma. He cited a retrospective cohort study showing a 20% recurrence rate in treated groups compared to 40% in untreated groups. This approach offers an alternative for patients who find liquid nitrogen or photodynamic therapy uncomfortable.
Radiofrequency (RF) microneedling was presented as superior to conventional microneedling, with Dr. Taher noting, “You can get better results with radiofrequency microneedling.” He referenced research demonstrating up to a five-fold increase in skin penetration with a 1,927 nm laser.
Dr. Taher stressed the importance of ongoing staff training, quality control, and regular team meetings to discuss techniques and review literature. He advised, “You have to be able to scale and grow [your practice], and it's very important that you are supervising [staff] and providing guidance.”
Finally, Dr. Taher highlighted the role of social media in showcasing treatment outcomes and emphasized the need for practitioners to stay current with emerging techniques and technologies while maintaining high standards of patient care.
“You are an influencer,” he stated, stressing the importance of before-and-after photos to demonstrate patient transformations over time.
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