Beyond the Hype: How GLP-1s Actually Work, Who They’re For, and How to Prescribe Responsibly

In this episode of the Skin Clique podcast, Kaitlin Stone, Director of Telemedicine, sits down with Dr. Sarah Allen to break down one of the most talked-about topics in medicine today: GLP-1 medications for weight loss and metabolic health.
With decades of clinical data behind them—but unprecedented public attention in recent years—GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP agents have fundamentally changed how we approach obesity medicine. In this conversation, we cut through the hype to explain how these medications actually work, why they differ from older weight-loss drugs, and how to use them responsibly and ethically in real-world practice.
You’ll learn:
How GLP-1 and GIP hormones act on the brain, gut, pancreas, and adipose tissue
Why these medications reduce “food noise” and support long-term metabolic change
Key differences between GLP-1–only agents and dual GLP-1/GIP therapies
Oral vs injectable options and what’s coming next in the medication pipeline
Who is an appropriate candidate—and when providers should say no
Contraindications, red flags, and off-label considerations for lower BMI patients
Common side effects (GI symptoms, headaches, hair loss) and how patient education dramatically improves tolerability
Why hair loss on GLP-1s is usually temporary—and what it really represents physiologically
What sustainable weight loss actually looks like (and why faster is not better)
Long-term use, maintenance dosing, and what happens when medications are stopped
How GLP-1s shift aesthetic treatment planning, facial volume, and collagen strategy
Why hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and GLP-1s can work synergistically for women’s health
This episode is designed for providers who want to practice evidence-based obesity medicine and for patients who want to understand their options beyond surface-level weight loss. GLP-1s are not a magic wand—but when prescribed thoughtfully, they can be truly life-changing.