TLDR Bariatric surgery can improve some skin issues but may worsen others due to nutritional deficiencies.
Bariatric surgery significantly impacts dermatologic conditions in obese patients, often improving issues like psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and acanthosis nigricans due to weight loss and reduced inflammation. However, it can also exacerbate or trigger conditions such as alopecia and xeroderma, primarily due to nutritional deficiencies. The review emphasizes the dual nature of these effects, highlighting the need for careful postoperative nutritional monitoring and further research to understand the mechanisms involved.
September 2023 in “The Journal of Dermatology” Bariatric surgery improved many skin conditions in obese patients but caused hair loss in some and decreased facial oil and skin elasticity.
5 citations
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December 2020 in “BMC Dermatology” Bariatric surgery improves skin conditions and metabolism but may cause nutritional deficiencies and hair loss.
4 citations
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March 2020 in “BMC Research Notes” Skin tags in obese individuals may indicate higher cardiovascular risk.
44 citations
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May 2014 in “The American Surgeon” Low zinc and iron levels can predict hair loss after sleeve gastrectomy in women.
22 citations
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August 2012 in “PubMed” Adequate zinc and iron intake may reduce hair loss after bariatric surgery.
45 citations
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September 2011 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Obese people have more skin problems like stretch marks and infections, which get worse with higher obesity levels.
68 citations
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February 1996 in “Obesity Surgery” Taking zinc sulphate stopped and reversed hair loss in patients after weight loss surgery.
September 2025 in “Cureus” GLP-1 agonists may help treat certain skin conditions.
5 citations
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December 2020 in “BMC Dermatology” Bariatric surgery improves skin conditions and metabolism but may cause nutritional deficiencies and hair loss.
128 citations
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September 2011 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Obesity is linked to various skin problems and may increase the risk of skin cancer.
12 citations
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March 2022 in “Frontiers in Nutrition” Obesity is linked to various skin conditions and issues, and losing weight can improve these conditions.
40 citations
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November 2019 in “Frontiers in Endocrinology” Metabolic Syndrome is linked to several skin conditions, and stem cell therapy might help treat them.
