CoolTone, Exercises, & Treatments for GLP-1 Muscle Loss and Aging
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have changed how people approach weight loss, helping many achieve big, positive results. But as more people use these medications, there is more talk about side effects from losing weight quickly, such as muscle loss, loose skin, and looking older. In this post, we explain why these changes happen and share treatments like CoolTone and dermal fillers that can help.
Losing extra body fat is good for your health, but losing weight quickly can also mean losing lean muscle and facial volume. This can make you feel weaker, change your body shape, or cause what people call ‘Ozempic face.’ These changes usually happen because of how fast and how much weight is lost, not just because of the medication.
The good news is that you can avoid muscle loss and signs of aging. By combining good nutrition, regular exercise, body contouring, and aesthetic treatments, you can keep your muscles strong, maintain healthy skin, and get more natural-looking results as you lose weight.
In this article, DermaTouch RN Body Contouring Specialist and Aesthetician Nicci Pedroni, along with Nurse Injector and Advanced Practice Nurse Lori Swenson, explain why muscle loss and signs of aging can happen during GLP-1 treatment. They also share tips on how to protect your muscles, support healthy collagen, and look and feel your best while reaching your weight-loss goals.
Why Do GLP-1s Cause Muscle Loss?
According to Swenson, here are the key reasons as to why GLP-1 drugs cause muscle loss:
- Caloric restriction: During weight loss, the body pulls energy from both fat and muscle stores. If protein intake is insufficient, muscle breakdown accelerates.
- Protein intake goals should be greater than or equal to 1.0 to 1.2 g of protein per kilogram of ideal body weight.
- Protein intake should be higher (1.2 to 1.6 g/kg of ideal body weight) for older adults or those following a very low-calorie diet.
- Reduced resistance loading: Muscle follows the rule: “Use it or lose it.” Without mechanical load (resistance training), muscle protein synthesis falls. As fat loss continues, muscle proportion declines. (See below for resistance training recommendations.)
- Hormonal & metabolic signaling: During a caloric deficit and periods of lower insulin signaling, muscle breakdown can outpace muscle synthesis if nutrition and resistance training are not optimized.
Pedroni adds that the GLP-1 hormone “suppresses your appetite, so when you’re eating a lot less, your calorie intake can drop very quickly, and your body can burn (break down) the muscle for energy.” In other words, your body can lose muscle in addition to fat, and muscle loss can become a higher percentage of overall weight loss, which leads to a loss in lean muscle mass.
Why Does GLP-1 Weight Loss Appear to Accelerate Aging?
Sometimes, with rapid weight loss, it can appear that people are aging more quickly in both the face and body. According to Swenson, this is because rapid weight loss causes:
- A reduction of fat volume, specifically to the superficial fat in the face and body.
- A weakened extracellular matrix, which causes decreased collagen synthesis and decreased elastin and fibroblast activity. This can make the skin look crepey.
- The skin loses volume and tension, making facial tissues appear aged.
- In the body, when there is rapid weight loss without resistance training, the body loses not only fat but also muscle and overall tone, causing laxity in the skin.
Which Body Contouring Treatments Are Ideal to Help Combat Muscle Loss on GLP-1s?
“CoolTone is a great pairing for anyone on a GLP-1 weight loss drug,” shares Pedroni, “It helps you maintain and rebuild muscle tone from the inside while you’re losing weight, but it will not stop muscle loss from the inside out.”
In other words, CoolTone can help stimulate muscle contractions and support muscle tone during weight loss, but it should be combined with proper nutrition and resistance training for optimal muscle preservation.
What Is CoolTone?
Pedroni points out that “CoolTone uses magnetic muscle stimulation to cause involuntary muscle contractions that are stronger than what people can do on their own when working out. It’s very effortless, and something you can do that’s so simple to keep your muscles active, even if you are on a GLP-1 weight loss drug and are eating fewer calories.”
What Exercises or Diet-Related Recommendations Can Help to Support This Challenge?
Pedroni recommends strength training three or four times a week with a little resistance. This helps to rebuild the muscle and maintain it. In addition, “eating enough protein to burn the calories in a healthy way, and staying hydrated, is always good for the muscles and overall body.”
In addition, Swenson suggests to “aim for resistance training 2 to 3 times per week for 20 to 30 minutes per session. Using bands, machines, and Pilates‑style resistance all count.”
Swenson adds that the target rate of weight loss should be 0.5 to 1 pound per week, with adequate protein intake being “non-negotiable.” She also adds that “collagen and muscle are different, and both need to be addressed.” To address both, you should consider:
- Complete protein intake (for the muscle)
- Collagen peptides (for the skin and fascia)
- Vitamin C (to support collagen synthesis)
What Cosmetic Treatments Are Recommended to Support Perceived Facial Aging with GLP-1s?
Swenson recommends addressing some concerns related to aging and rapid weight loss before starting or at the beginning of a GLP-1 weight-loss journey. Treatments she recommends to do so include:
- Biostimulators (Radiesse hyperdilute, Sculptra): The best window to optimize tissue resilience with biostimulators is pre-GLP-1 injections. Biostimulators are injected into the skin and help to stimulate your own collagen production over time.
- Medical‑grade skincare (SkinMedica, exosomes): Medical-grade skincare, like SkinMedica, can be used at home and offers building blocks to support skin health. Exosomes are excellent to help rejuvenate skin from the inside out, with the most powerful forms of exosomes used in clinic settings.
- Skin tightening treatments (Vivace Radiofrequency Microneedling, SkinPen Microneedling): These treatments create microinjuries to the skin that help to activate collagen production.
- Energy devices (Sofwave): Sofwave uses ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin. This supports skin lifting and tightening.
Related reading: What are exosomes?
After your weight stabilizes post GLP-1 weight loss, Swenson recommends reassessing the need for biostimulators and HA dermal fillers, like Juvederm and Radiesse.
“You can address volume loss in the cheeks, temples, and periorbital area, as well as deepened nasolabial folds, with hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. Biostimulators are excellent for the hands, arms, and neck, which can look older rather quickly.”
Related reading: Biostimulators and HA Dermal Fillers – A Powerful Combination
Ready to Protect Your GLP-1 Weight Loss Results?
Losing weight is a big achievement, but keeping your strength, muscle tone, and youthful look matters too. By eating enough protein, doing resistance training, following healthy habits, and using targeted treatments, you can help your body change for the better and reduce unwanted side effects.
Whether you’re considering GLP-1 medications, currently taking them, or have recently reached your goal weight, a personalized treatment plan can help you maintain muscle, improve body composition, and address concerns such as skin laxity or facial volume loss before they become more noticeable.
At DermaTouch RN, our team takes a comprehensive approach to weight-loss support, helping patients look and feel their best throughout every stage of their journey. From body contouring treatments and muscle-stimulating technologies to collagen-building procedures and facial rejuvenation options, we can help you create a plan tailored to your unique goals.
Schedule Your Skin and Weight Loss Consultation Today!
If you’re experiencing muscle loss, skin laxity, or facial aging concerns associated with GLP-1 rapid weight loss, consider DermaTouch RN as your premier provider.
Ready to learn more? Schedule a consultation with our team today. Book online or call 210-538-1283 (San Antonio) or 281-720-8718 (Houston) to explore your options and create a customized plan designed to help you maintain your results for the long term.
Lori Swenson, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
NURSE INJECTOR/ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE
Shortly after receiving her nursing degree in 1998, Lori moved from New York to Texas to begin her nursing career. The majority of her 24 years as a nurse have involved working within the ER and ICU of major hospitals. In 2015, she obtained her MSN-FNP and began training under Renee Moschitto at DermaTouch RN. Lori is experienced in dermal fillers, neurotoxins, and hormone replacement therapy. She is dedicated to patient safety and customer satisfaction.
Nicci Pedroni, MA
COOLSCULPTING SPECIALIST/AESTHETICIAN
Nicci joined us as an Aesthetician/Laser Tech in late March. Nicci has over 5 years of experience in aesthetic treatments and looks forward to working with our clients on aesthetic treatments, such as DiamondGlow™, SkinPen, BBL, CoolSculpting ELITE, CoolTone, Ultherapy, Chemical Peels, and more.
DermaTouch RN offers minimally invasive and non-invasive treatments for men and women in Houston, San Antonio, Spring and Cypress, as well as the surrounding areas of Texas. We are the largest aesthetic practice in the Houston area, and all of our medical spa treatments are performed by a team of nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and aestheticians who receive continuing education to remain abreast of emerging treatments that benefit our patients. We invite you to learn more about our office before your consultation.
