Addressing Skin Laxity with Physician-Tested Serum in GLP-1 Patients

Pushing Back Against Skin Glycation with Visible Lift in a Serum

Physician-tested with GLP-1 patients, A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum can be used alone or alongside in-office lifting ultrasound treatments

GLP-1 receptor agonists have garnered attention in the management of weight loss and metabolic health. While demonstrating efficacy in weight management, these medications have been associated with aesthetic considerations, including skin laxity due to rapid weight loss. At SkinCeuticals, we are pleased to announce the launch of the new A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum, which has been physician-tested on GLP-1 patients as a regimen with A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced Cream and ultrasound in-office treatments. 

This new serum leverages 15 years of glycation expertise and targets signs of aging caused by skin glycation. Protein glycation has been studied for more than 40 years,and knowledge about the impact of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on collagen during skin aging continues to evolve.^1,2

Skinceuticals’ A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum joins our AGE product portfolio alongside existing creams A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced and A.G.E. Advanced Eye, and has been shown to tighten 4 key areas from neck to face, with up to 18% increased lifting and up to 16% decreased wrinkles.⁵ The serum’s patented active ingredients include flavo-proxylane technology (30% Proxylane™ and 4.6% wild fruit flavonoids with new cassia alata extract) and lifting boosters (0.1% rhamnose 0.5% gentiana lutea root abstract ).⁵ 

In a 12-week, single-center, double-blind clinical study with 76 female subjects, A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum was applied twice daily to the face and neck, followed by moisturizer and sunscreen. After 12 weeks, significant improvements were observed in signs of aging and skin quality, including reduced sagginess, increased firmness (face and neck), improved elasticity, smoothness, pore appearance, and skin radiance. A rapid 73% increase in skin hydration after 1 hour has been observed, along with improved skin elasticity.⁵ The serum was also tested in combination with in-office ultrasound treatment for lifting, showing improved efficacy of incorporating the product pre- and post- treatment. At SkinCeuticals, we are very excited to share these results with our practitioners so that they can help optimize patient outcomes in the pursuit of their rejuvenation goals.

— Alison A. Murakami, PhD, VP and Head, Medical Affairs

Q&A With Dr. Julie Woodward

What role does glycation play in the skin aging process?
Glycation is the non-enzymatic reaction that occurs when a protein or lipid reacts with a sugar to create an advanced glycation end product (AGE). AGEs’ interaction with various types of collagens can create wrinkles, dullness, a yellowish discoloration, and generalized aging of skin. AGEs can be ingested from foods such as browned crust on toasted bread or pizza, or they can be created endogenously within our bodies after the consumption of sugars.

How can rapid weight loss with GLP-1 agonists affect the skin, and how much more important is skin lifting in this patient population?
Rapid nutrient loss is associated with rapid weight loss from GLP-1s. When this happens, the dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT) and the subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT) may convert to preservation mode by transforming into brown fat that is not as hormonally active. The loss of the hormonal activity, especially the estrogen in the dWAT, causes the dermis and epidermis to prematurely age, with increased wrinkling and decreased elasticity. This is compounded with the facial hollowing that occurs when there is volume loss in the deep facial fat pads.

How can A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum be used in combination with ultrasound procedures in patients on GLP-1 drugs to enhance results?
Patients on GLP-1s for weight loss should have a multidisciplinary approach to protect their face and skin from premature signs of aging as they go through their journey of rapid weight loss. This can include injectables, lasers and other energy-based devices, and topicals. A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum is safe and effective to use on such patients immediately after an ultrasound skin tightening procedure and as maintenance afterward. In fact, the combination of skin ultrasound and A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum was found to be more effective than either treatment alone.⁵ This study showed a significant effect using A.G.E. regimen with A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced cream and the A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum at 8 weeks of topical product use plus 4 weeks post-ultrasound treatment for 16 measurements of the skin, including the jawline and marionette line.⁵

What clinical results have you seen with A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum? Are there specific areas (mid-face, neck, etc) where you have found it most effective?
Cutometer measurements at 12 weeks confirmed that it demonstrated improvement in elasticity in the forehead, cheeks, and jawline.⁵ It was found to be effective in all Fitzpatrick skin types, with some showing results as early as 4 weeks. When tested as a monotherapy, the A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum also showed improvements in the skin when measured with the PRIMOS Clinical Research System and VISIA imaging.⁵

What tips would you offer for building an effective regimen with AGE Interrupter Advanced Cream and AGE Advanced Eye?
Layering and/or alternating products is always good for the skin. An ideal morning routine is to cleanse and then apply topical antioxidants such as C E Ferulic, followed by A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum, followed by A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced and A.G.E Advanced Eye and then sunscreen. P-TIOX is very popular to apply for improved glass skin appearance after a daily topical antioxidant such as C E Ferulic. For a nighttime routine, after cleansing, apply your nighttime antioxidant such as Resveratrol B E, then apply A.G.E. serum, followed by A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced and A.G.E. Advanced Eye. 

1. Monnier VM, Cerami A. Non-enzymatic glycosylation and browning of proteins in diabetes. Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1982;11(2):431-52. doi: 10.1016/s0300-595x(82)80023-6.

2. Chaudhuri J, Bains Y, Guha S, Kahn A, Hall D, Bose N, Gugliucci A, Kapahi P. The Role of Advanced Glycation End Products in Aging and Metabolic Diseases: Bridging Association and Causality. Cell Metab. 2018 Sep 4;28(3):337-352. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.08.014.

3. Dyer DG, Dunn JA, Thorpe SR, Bailie KE, Lyons TJ, McCance DR, Baynes JW. Accumulation of Maillard reaction products in skin collagen in diabetes and aging. J Clin Invest. 1993;91(6):2463-9. doi: 10.1172/JCI116481.

4. Verzijl N, DeGroot J, Thorpe SR, Bank RA, Shaw JN, Lyons TJ, Bijlsma JW, Lafeber FP, Baynes JW, TeKoppele JM. Effect of collagen turnover on the accumulation of advanced glycation end products. J Biol Chem. 2000;275(50):39027-31. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M006700200.

5. Data on file, Skinceuticals.

6. Crisan M, Taulescu M, et al. Expression of advanced glycation end-products on sun-exposed and non-exposed cutaneous sites during the ageing process in humans. PLoS One. 2013;8(10):e75003. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075003.

7. Rungratanawanich W, Qu Y, Wang X, Essa MM, Song BJ. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and other adducts in aging-related diseases and alcohol-mediated tissue injury. Exp Mol Med. 2021;53(2):168-188. doi: 10.1038/s12276-021-00561-7. Epub 2021 Feb 10.