Cosmetic Use of Weight-Loss Injections Linked to Health Risks
As weight‑loss drugs rise in popularity, some people use them for appearance rather than medical need, risking health without proper medical supervision.
In recent years, GLP-1 weight‑loss injections have become a global phenomenon. While many rely on them for legitimate medical reasons, an increasing number use these drugs to alter their appearance, sometimes without any professional oversight. This piece highlights personal experiences and what health experts say about safety and long‑term effects.
From rapid results to a cycling pattern
Gabriela, a Brazilian lawyer, wanted to shed Covid-era pounds that stubbornly clung to her frame. She started using Ozempic injections in early 2024 without a prescription, drawn by friends’ stories of quick results. The initial changes were striking: meals felt less hunger-driven, and even indulgent bets at a buffet seemed less appealing. Yet the progress didn’t last once she stopped, and weight gradually returned. Since then, she has trained herself to cycle on and off the injections, depending on how she feels about her reflection, a pattern she’s followed for about a year. She estimates spending around £1,500 on this approach.
Regulation and access: UK and Brazil perspectives
In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service typically restricts these drugs to patients with obesity or related health issues, with body‑mass‑index (BMI) thresholds guiding eligibility. Depending on the specific drug, these thresholds can vary, and certain ethnic groups or health conditions can influence eligibility. Gabriela’s BMI was 26.6 when she began, and she reported no weight‑related illnesses, despite her muscular build and high‑intensity training routine.
Around the same time, a technology executive in London described purchasing injections online after completing a self‑assessment, rather than through formal medical channels. He began weekly doses of Wegovy and later Mounjaro, reporting that the appetite “noise” faded and meals became easier to manage. Like Gabriela, he has used the injections intermittently, timing doses around social events and travel, and he notes significant ease in managing food choices during use.
Health risks and the potential downsides
Medical researchers and doctors caution that irregular, unsupervised use of GLP‑1 drugs can pose health risks. The medications were originally approved to treat diabetes or obesity under medical supervision, and most safety data come from people who use them consistently. Stopping and starting the therapy can complicate long‑term outcomes, and there is concern that a widespread, non‑medical use could reveal rarer side effects more often.
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. More serious but rare risks can involve gallstone problems, pancreatitis, and allergic reactions. Some clinicians also warn that thinner individuals on restrictive dosing may lose muscle mass along with fat, which can worsen body composition if weight is regained later.
Patient information leaflets emphasize that these drugs are intended for ongoing, supervised use and should be injected on a regular schedule under medical guidance. They are given one‑weekly and administered in the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen, with doses adjusted gradually.
Expert opinions: cosmetic use vs. medical purpose
Experts stress that while these medicines can aid weight management in people with medical needs, they are not cosmetic tools. Dr Bharti Shetye, a respected voice in obesity medicine, notes that the trend toward using weight‑loss injections for appearance is rising and deserves careful scrutiny. Prof Simone van de Sande Lee, an endocrinologist, is blunt: these drugs are designed for diabetes or obesity treatment, not casual cosmetic use. Dr Bruno Halpern, a leading obesity specialist, adds that broader use outside approved indications may carry unknown, long‑term risks.
Policy updates and the path forward
Regulatory bodies have responded to concerns about misuse and supply issues. In early 2025, the United Kingdom tightened controls on how online pharmacies can prescribe and sell these jabs. Brazil also strengthened its prescribing rules to curb non‑medical use. Despite these moves, some people continue to pursue the injections for appearance, banking on the prospect of quick changes.
Expert comment
Expert comment: Medical supervision is essential when using GLP‑1 injections. Using these drugs without a clear therapeutic need or regular monitoring increases the risk of adverse effects and uncertain long‑term outcomes.
Summary
GLP‑1 weight‑loss injections can offer real benefits for individuals with medical indications when used under professional care. However, using them solely for cosmetic reasons, especially without supervision, poses health risks and can trigger a frustrating weight‑cycling pattern. Experts advocate cautious use, clear medical oversight, and ongoing evaluation. Regulators are tightening access to online sources to reduce misuse.
Key insight: Off‑label, cosmetic use of weight‑loss injections carries meaningful health risks and should be managed by a clinician under strict supervision. Read the full context at BBC News BBC News