The pursuit of slimmer bodies and skin tightening raises questions about the effectiveness of these injections and treatments — here’s the truth.
From Lagos to London to Los Angeles, the pursuit of a slimmer waist, a sharper jawline, or smoother thighs has never been more high-tech. Injections like Ozempic and Mounjaro may help shed kilos. Meanwhile, high-tech body contouring treatments like FaceTite, NeckTite, BodyTite, and Onda can sculpt and tighten in ways that diet and exercise simply cannot.
But as with all things in beauty and wellness, the secret is not in chasing miracles but in making informed, safe choices. These treatments can empower and transform, but only when guided by qualified professionals and grounded expectations. The ultimate goal is not perfection, but confidence and the smartest path is always the safest one.
However, the question is, do these medications and treatments really work? Or are they just expensive hype packaged in science-speak?
The injection revolution: How Ozempic and Mounjaro went from diabetes medications to skinny jabs
Once upon a time, doctors quietly prescribed drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro in endocrinology clinics for type 2 diabetes. Today, they’re whispered about on red carpets, shared on TikTok, and prescribed in private clinics as the “skinny jab.”
Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, works by mimicking a natural hormone, GLP-1, which makes you feel full, slows digestion, and helps regulate appetite. Mounjaro, or tirzepatide, goes one step further by acting on two hormones — GLP-1 and GIP, making it potentially more powerful for controlling cravings and regulating metabolism. Both are injected weekly, both were designed for diabetes, and both have been repurposed into the hottest weight loss treatments of the moment.
The results are hard to ignore. In clinical trials, Ozempic helped patients lose 10 to 15% of their body weight over a year. Meanwhile, Mounjaro produced even more dramatic results, with average losses of 20% or more. Beyond shrinking waistlines, patients often saw improvements in blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure, a bonus for anyone at risk of diabetes or heart disease. For those who have struggled with yo-yo dieting and endless cravings, these injections feel like a revolution, shifting weight loss from sheer willpower to biology.
But there are caveats. The injections can come with side effects, most commonly nausea, vomiting, constipation, and fatigue, especially in the early weeks. Also, some people have found that once you stop the medication, the weight tends to creep back. The treatment is expensive too, and it remains largely available only through private clinics.
In Nigeria, the injections are making quiet inroads in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, but only among the wealthy. For now, they remain a luxury medical option, more status symbol than mainstream healthcare. But with the rise of wellness culture and the growing influence of global trends, it’s only a matter of time before they become part of the wider conversation.
Read also: The four horsemen of the skinny apocalypse: Why thin is in (again)
Beyond the needle, technology takes over
While injections tackle weight from the inside out, a growing number of women are turning to aesthetic technology for targeted face and body contouring. These treatments address these tricky areas — often down to genetics — that no amount of dieting seems to fix. Here, treatments like FaceTite, NeckTite, BodyTite, and Onda step in, offering sculpting and skin tightening without the downtime of traditional surgery.
FaceTite and NeckTite are the poster children of the “snatched jawline” movement. Using a technique called radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis, a tiny probe is inserted under the skin through a pinhole incision. Radiofrequency energy melts unwanted fat while simultaneously tightening the surrounding skin. Therefore, a single procedure can slim and lift a double chin, sagging jowls, or buccal fat pads. Results are not instant; swelling and bruising can linger for a week or two, and final tightening takes three to six months as new collagen forms, but for many, the outcome rivals a mini-facelift without the scars.
BodyTite is essentially the same technology applied to larger areas. If FaceTite is the discreet sculptor of jawlines, BodyTite is the sculptor’s hammer and chisel. It tackles stubborn fat and loose skin in the abdomen, thighs, back, arms, and even the dreaded “cankle.” By melting fat and tightening tissue simultaneously, it solves one of the biggest complaints of traditional liposuction: loose, saggy skin left behind once fat is removed. Recovery involves bruising, soreness, and wearing compression garments, but within a few months, the body looks smoother, firmer, and more youthful.
For those unwilling to entertain incisions or probes, Onda Coolwaves offers a gentler entry point. Developed in Italy, this device uses microwave energy to penetrate the skin and target fat cells while encouraging collagen production. Unlike BodyTite, there’s no cutting or suction, and the treatment feels more like a warm massage than surgery. It works best on mild skin laxity and cellulite, especially on the thighs and buttocks, and although results are subtler and require several sessions, the zero downtime makes it appealing. Women can leave the clinic and head straight back to their normal routines.
Choosing the right path — injections or minimally invasive aesthetic procedures?
So which works best? It depends on the problem you’re trying to solve. If the goal is overall weight loss, particularly for women struggling with obesity or metabolic issues, injections like Ozempic and Mounjaro may be the answer. However, they demand ongoing use, medical supervision, and deep pockets. If the goal is precision sculpting, a sharper jawline, a slimmer neck, firmer thighs, then FaceTite, NeckTite, and BodyTite provide results that no injection can match. And for women just beginning to notice the early signs of laxity, Onda offers a gentle, non-invasive route to firmer skin.
Ultimately, the best outcomes often come from a combination. Some patients use injections to shift overall weight, then turn to devices like BodyTite or Onda to fine-tune the contours and address sagging skin. Others skip medication entirely, preferring the more predictable and targeted results of aesthetic technology.
Read also: Want to skip the surgery? Experts share advice on BBL alternatives
Our expert weighs in
As Dr Aamer Khan of London’s Harley Street Skin Clinic explains, “Patients must understand these are medical treatments, not miracles. Injections like Ozempic and Mounjaro can shift weight quickly, but unless you maintain lifestyle changes, the weight comes back. Similarly, devices like FaceTite or BodyTite can contour beautifully, but they’re tools, not shortcuts. The best outcomes come from realistic expectations and safe, qualified hands.”
The good, the bad and the ugly
The good is obvious: today’s treatments are more effective, accessible, and sophisticated than ever before. They can slim, sculpt, and tighten in ways that simply weren’t possible without surgery a decade ago. For busy, modern Nigerian women who want results without weeks of recovery, that’s a powerful advantage.
The bad is equally clear. These treatments are expensive, often require multiple sessions, and results vary depending on age, skin quality, and genetics. They are not permanent fixes, and most demand ongoing maintenance.
The ugly is what happens when unqualified practitioners jump on the bandwagon. Injections and devices can cause real harm if administered incorrectly, from burns and scars to infections and contour irregularities. Add to this the danger of counterfeit drugs or machines in unregulated markets, and the risks become very real. So, please, please, see a qualified, experienced practitioner!
An exclusive evening of expert insights on fat loss & skin tightening technology
Join us at the Harley Street Skin Clinic for an exclusive evening of champagne and canapés, featuring expert insights on Wednesday, September 10, at 7:00 PM at 14 Devonshire Place, London. Dr. A Khan, a specialist in skincare, anti-ageing, and health, will lead a discussion on “Fat Loss & Skin Tightening Technology: The Truth Behind the Trends”. Additionally, raffle prizes will be available to support the Back on Track Charity.
For details and reservations, contact Rhea or Paula Hall at rheasevents@gmail.com or call 07855387054. You can also visit paula@harleystreetskinclinic.com.
By Dr Leslie.
Read more: The biggest risks you should know if you’re taking Ozempic
