Can Ozempic, Monjauro and other diabetes drugs slow your face’s aging process?

Popular drugs like Ozemic and Monjauro aid in managing diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels. They have surged in popularity because they hasten weight loss.

And this new class of drugs —GLP-1 inhibitors — may have beauty benefits beyond weight loss.

Sugar ages the skin through a process called glycation. In fact, we know that diabetics age faster if their blood sugar levels are not controlled. Therefore, it makes sense that lowering blood glucose levels would slow aging.

While there are no scientific studies on this yet, since it is hard to measure skin aging, I have noticed that my patients and other people who are on these medications seem to have a rejuvenated look to their skin. IS it possible that Ozempic and Monjauro slow skin aging?

How sugar affects your skin’s aging

Glycation is a natural process that occurs when excess sugar molecules bind to proteins, creating something called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Think of it as similar to what happens when you brown meat, caramelize onions or toast bread – this is a form of glycation called the Maillard reaction.

Just as sugar and heat combine to change the texture, taste and color of food, AGEs in the body damage collagen and elastin, two key proteins needed for maintaining your skin’s firmness and elasticity.

Thus, too much glycation caused by excess sugar can result in accelerated signs of aging, like lines, wrinkles, dark spots and sagging skin. Antioxidants can prevent this, which is one reason they are so popular in skin care. But once the AGEs occur, there are no skin care products that can remove them.

What I’ve noticed in my patients

By lowering blood sugar levels, GLP-1 inhibitors may reduce the amount of glycation and AGEs. This would help prevent premature skin aging.

While I have noticed this anecdotally in some of my patients, it is important to note that there are no scientific studies to support or refute this hypothesis yet.

How to reduce glycation

Taking GLP-1 inhibitors like Ozempic is not the only way to balance blood sugar, reduce glycation and potentially improve the appearance of your skin. Lifestyle changes like eating a low-sugar diet, getting regular exercise, and drinking the recommended daily amount of water can play a key role in maintaining healthy blood sugar and youthful-looking skin.

Additionally, using skin care products with antioxidants like vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, and green tea can help reduce oxidative stress and support healthy skin.

Bottom line

The idea that Ozempic and similar medications may slow skin aging is an interesting observation that I’ve seen in some of my patients, though it is not a proven fact. Future research may shed more light on this potential benefit. Have you noticed this rejuvenating effect in yourself or others? Let me know in SkinTypeSolutions in Reddit where we can discuss this and other interesting skin science.

I’m still on sabbatical and no longer run Baumann Cosmetic Institute, so please use my SkinTypeSolutions email and social media if you have questions.