In the evolving world of longevity medicine, few treatments have captured as much attention as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Initially developed for diabetes, they are now the gold standard for safe, effective weight management. But what is becoming increasingly clear, explains Dr Ellen Selkon of Clinic 42, is that these medications can do far more than change a dress size.
“GLP-1 therapy isn’t just about weight loss,” she says. “It’s about metabolic health, inflammation control, and cellular protection, all of which play significant roles in how we age.”
As a medical doctor with a focus on integrative wellbeing Dr Selkon’s focus is a personalised approach to treatment. For those seeking sustainable weight loss, she carefully monitors dosage, metabolism, and nutrient absorption to maintain balance. Recent studies have also shown GLP-1 therapy when micro-dosed can help optimise energy, stabilise blood sugar and reduce inflammation. These smaller doses have also shown promising results for cardiovascular function, cognitive clarity, and metabolic flexibility.
“The research is moving quickly,” she explains. “We are seeing evidence that micro-dosing GLP-1s can help reduce visceral fat around key organs and may influence markers linked to Alzheimer’s and heart disease. It is not just about looking better; it is about ageing better.”
The results are most effective when combined with lifestyle medicine, including nutrition, exercise and restorative sleep, all of which the Clinic 42 team integrates into their patient plans. “The aim isn’t to be thinner,” Dr Selkon adds. “It’s to be stronger, clearer and biologically younger.”
But while GLP-1 therapy can reshape the body, it can also have unintended effects on the face. The now infamous term “Ozempic Face” refers to the hollow, prematurely aged appearance that can result from rapid fat loss.
“Facial fat is one of the most important structural elements for a youthful appearance,” says Dr Selkon. “When it is lost too quickly, it can create depletion in the cheeks, temples and under-eye area, which often ages the face faster than the body.”
To prevent this, Clinic 42 takes a proactive approach, addressing facial balance in conjunction with body transformation. “We always encourage patients to support facial volume early in their weight-loss journey,” she notes. “It is much easier to maintain natural structure than to rebuild it later.”
Her team combines medical-grade skincare with non-invasive rejuvenation and precise injectable treatments to maintain the skin’s health and architecture. Depending on individual needs, these may include Dermapen, IPL, Nano-fractionated laser and Tribella to stimulate collagen and elastin, paired with dermal fillers, Profhilo, Profhilo Structura or Sculptra to restore lift and hydration.
“These treatments are not about changing your features,” Dr Selkon explains. “They are about supporting your natural structure as your body changes. We want patients to look refreshed, not altered.”
She also notes that GLP-1 therapy can affect collagen production, making it even more essential to maintain skin quality. “We see some skin laxity as part of the process, which can be managed effectively with the right combination of treatments,” she says. “Our goal is to make sure patients feel as confident in their reflection as they do in their health.”
The result is what Dr Selkon calls “intelligent transformation”: a dual focus on metabolic and aesthetic longevity. By treating the body as a system rather than a collection of isolated parts, Clinic 42 helps clients achieve balance both inside and out.
“True longevity is not just what you see in the mirror,” she concludes. “It is how your body functions beneath the surface, how efficiently it regenerates, and how resilient it remains over time. GLP-1 therapy gives us a remarkable tool for this, but its real power lies in how we combine it with the art and science of aesthetic medicine.”
