The pressure to maintain a specific silhouette has long been the silent engine of the fashion industry, but the tools used to achieve that ideal are shifting from restrictive dieting to pharmaceutical intervention. In a recent segment of the Spanish investigative program Equipo de Investigación, Colombian model Catalina Maya provided a candid look into this shift, admitting to the habitual use of Ozempic to keep her weight under control.
Maya’s testimony is more than a personal confession; it is a window into a global shadow market where medications designed for chronic diseases are repurposed as cosmetic tools. For Maya, the journey began with a recommendation from an endocrinologist in Colombia, who suggested the drug because “many people were using it to lose weight.” What followed was a rapid transformation: a loss of nine kilograms in just two weeks.
As a physician, I find the specifics of Maya’s regimen particularly concerning. She describes using the medication at least once a month and keeping a dose at home “just in case” she gains a pound or two. Currently weighing 53 kilograms, Maya expressed that she finally feels she has “the body she always wanted.” However, this narrative of “maintenance” masks a complex medical reality regarding the long-term use of GLP-1 receptor agonists in individuals who do not meet the clinical criteria for obesity or type 2 diabetes.
The GLP-1 Phenomenon: From Insulin Control to Aesthetic Tool
Ozempic, the brand name for semaglutide, was originally engineered to mimic a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). In a clinical setting, it works by stimulating insulin production, slowing gastric emptying, and signaling the brain to feel full. While these effects are life-saving for patients with type 2 diabetes and transformative for those with morbid obesity, their application in the “beauty” circuit creates a different set of risks.
The case of Catalina Maya highlights a dangerous trend: the normalization of “micro-dosing” or intermittent use for weight maintenance. When a medication is used to prevent a “one or two pound” gain, the user is effectively bypassing the body’s natural metabolic regulation. The rapid weight loss Maya experienced—nine kilograms in fourteen days—is clinically aggressive and can lead to significant loss of lean muscle mass, rather than just fat, which can paradoxically lower the resting metabolic rate over time.
the accessibility of the drug in certain regions adds a layer of public health risk. Maya noted that in Colombia, she could acquire the medication without a prescription and at a more affordable price. This bypasses the essential medical screening required to ensure a patient does not have contraindications, such as a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or pancreatitis.
A Global Network of Off-Label Demand
The influence of these drugs extends far beyond the runways of Bogotá or the studios of Madrid. Maya described a sophisticated, informal network of friends across Argentina, Mexico, and Spain who reached out to her for help sourcing the drug when it became scarce in European cities. This “grey market” is driven by a desire for the “Ozempic body”—a lean, sculpted look that has become a status symbol in high-fashion and celebrity circles.
This demand is not limited by gender. Maya emphasized that men are increasingly utilizing semaglutide to achieve leaner physiques, reflecting a broader shift in how pharmaceutical shortcuts are viewed across the spectrum of beauty standards. The result is a systemic shortage that affects the very people the drug was designed to help: diabetic patients who rely on semaglutide to prevent cardiovascular complications and kidney failure.
To understand the scale of the shift, it is helpful to look at how these medications are categorized and intended for use:
| Feature | Clinical Indication (FDA/EMA) | Cosmetic/Off-Label Use |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Glycemic control & obesity treatment | Weight maintenance & aesthetic leaness |
| Supervision | Strict medical monitoring | Often self-administered or peer-suggested |
| Dosage | Escalating doses based on tolerance | Intermittent or “emergency” dosing |
| Risk Profile | Managed side effects | Unmonitored risks (muscle loss, malnutrition) |
The Hidden Costs of the “Perfect Body”
While Maya reports satisfaction with her current weight, the medical community warns of the “rebound effect.” Semaglutide is generally intended as a long-term commitment; when the drug is stopped, the appetite typically returns, often leading to rapid weight regain. For those using it solely for aesthetics, the cycle of “maintenance doses” can become a lifelong psychological and physiological dependency.
Beyond the scale, there is the issue of “Ozempic Face”—a term coined to describe the gaunt, aged appearance that occurs when facial fat is lost rapidly. For a model, whose career depends on visual appeal, the trade-off between a lower number on the scale and the loss of facial volume can be a precarious gamble.
The narrative provided by Equipo de Investigación serves as a cautionary tale. When a medication is treated as a lifestyle accessory rather than a clinical intervention, the line between healthcare and harm becomes dangerously blurred. The ease with which Maya accessed the drug in Colombia underscores a regulatory gap that allows pharmaceutical-grade medications to be treated as over-the-counter supplements.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication.
As regulatory bodies in Europe and the Americas continue to grapple with the supply chain crisis caused by off-label use, the focus is shifting toward stricter prescription enforcement and public education campaigns. The next critical checkpoint will be the upcoming reviews by health ministries in Latin American markets to address the unregulated sale of GLP-1 agonists, aimed at ensuring these drugs return to the patients who clinically require them.
Do you believe the fashion industry should implement stricter guidelines on the use of weight-loss medications? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
