Allergan Aesthetics trials show topical regimens and dermabrasion improve skin quality during GLP-1–associated weight loss

# What happened

# Study designs and products tested

• Two trials: a 12-week topical-only study and a six-week study pairing topicals with DiamondGlow dermabrasion.
• Topical regimen: a growth factor serum (applied twice daily in at least one trial), a neck cream, and a firming/toning body lotion.
• Participants who completed the protocols: nine in the 12-week topical trial and 11 in the dermabrasion-plus-topicals trial (at least one post-treatment assessment).

# Results reported

• Topical-only trial (12 weeks): investigators documented statistically significant visible improvements in dryness, skin tone evenness, crepiness, tactile roughness, lines and wrinkles, and overall skin texture. Some changes were detectable by week two. Participant-reported outcome: facial skin appeared roughly 10 years younger after four weeks of twice-daily growth factor serum use.
• Dermabrasion + topical trial (six weeks with three dermabrasion sessions): immediate improvements in selected skin quality metrics were observed after DiamondGlow treatments. Participants reported an average perceived facial age reduction of about 7.5 years after the combined protocol.
• Across both cohorts, participant satisfaction was reported as high. The magnitude of improvement differed by anatomical area, treatment regimen, assessment time point, and cohort size.

# Who conducted and presented the work The clinical posters were produced by Allergan Aesthetics (an AbbVie company). Co-authors named include Elizabeth Makino, Lisa T. Goberdhan, Katie Schneider, Arielle Bautista, and Tsing Cheng. Findings were presented digitally at the Science of Skin Summit in Austin, Texas.

# Practical implications for patients and clinicians These early data suggest that targeted topical products and noninvasive dermabrasion can yield visible improvements in skin quality measures for people undergoing GLP-1–associated weight loss. Clinics seeing patients who report increased crepiness, laxity, or perceived facial aging after weight loss might consider evaluating topical growth-factor–based regimens and noninvasive resurfacing options as part of an aesthetic management plan.

# What the studies don't settle

• Sample sizes were small (nine and 11 completers reported), and these were single-center studies. Results may not generalize to broader populations.

# Next steps recommended by the investigators Investigators and company representatives stated that additional research in larger populations is needed to further characterize these findings and to guide clinical approaches for patients taking medical weight-loss medications.

# Bottom line