Aesthetic Skin Academy

💉 WEIGHT LOSS INJECTIONS – DO THEY REALLY WORK?

Just a few years ago, hardly anyone had heard of them. Today, almost everyone knows someone who has lost weight with the help of weight loss injections.

The media is full of dramatic transformations, but are these really the “miracle drugs” for obesity? 🤔

These are not fat-burning injections. They do not directly burn body fat. Instead, they work by reducing appetite through their effects on the brain’s hunger and satiety centres while also slowing stomach emptying. As a result, you feel full for longer, eat fewer calories, and your body gradually starts using its stored energy reserves.

📖 Where did weight loss injections come from?

The history of these medications did not begin with obesity treatment.

For many years, scientists searched for more effective treatments for Type 2 diabetes. They discovered that after eating, our intestines produce a hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which:

✔️ stimulates insulin secretion,
✔️ reduces glucagon secretion,
✔️ slows stomach emptying,
✔️ signals to the brain that we are full.

The problem is that natural GLP-1 only remains active for a few minutes. Scientists therefore developed medications that mimic its effects but remain active much longer.

The first medication in this class was Byetta® (exenatide), approved in 2005 for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. It was followed by:

💉 Victoza® (liraglutide)
💉 Saxenda® (liraglutide) – approved specifically for obesity treatment
💉 Ozempic® (semaglutide)
💉 Wegovy® (semaglutide)
💉 Mounjaro® (tirzepatide)

During clinical trials, doctors noticed that, in addition to improving blood glucose levels, patients were also losing weight. This observation led to further research into using these medications to treat obesity.

The most commonly prescribed medications
💉 Ozempic®
Contains semaglutide and was originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes. One of its effects is reducing appetite and slowing stomach emptying, which is why many people also experience significant weight loss.

💉 Wegovy®
Also contains semaglutide, but it has been approved specifically for obesity treatment and is generally prescribed at higher doses than Ozempic.

💉 Mounjaro®
Contains tirzepatide, which acts on two gut hormones—GLP-1 and GIP. This provides an even greater feeling of fullness for some people and may result in greater weight loss than semaglutide.

💉 What about Retatrutide?
Retatrutide is being discussed more and more frequently. It is still undergoing clinical trials and works by targeting three hormone receptors (GLP-1, GIP and glucagon). Early studies have shown remarkable weight loss results, although it is not yet widely available as an approved medication.

Why are these medications so effective?

Not because they burn fat.

Their effectiveness comes from influencing the hormones that regulate appetite.

As a result, they:

✅ reduce appetite,
✅ increase the feeling of fullness,
✅ slow stomach emptying,
✅ reduce cravings and snacking,
✅ help control blood glucose levels.

As a result, most people simply consume fewer calories.

Who are these medications for?

They are most commonly prescribed for people:

✔️ with obesity (BMI ≥30),
✔️ with overweight (BMI ≥27) when accompanied by weight-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or obstructive sleep apnoea.

Benefits

❤️ effective weight loss,
❤️ improved blood sugar control,
❤️ often lower blood pressure,
❤️ reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes,
❤️ improved quality of life and health outcomes for many patients.

Common side effects

⚠️ nausea,
⚠️ vomiting,
⚠️ diarrhoea or constipation,
⚠️ heartburn,
⚠️ feeling unusually full,
⚠️ fatigue.

Some people may also experience dehydration, gallstones, gallbladder inflammation or pancreatitis. If you develop severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting or signs of dehydration, you should seek medical advice immediately.

For most people, these symptoms gradually improve as the body adapts to the medication.

What isn’t talked about enough?

Working with clients every day, I often see people celebrating their weight loss. Unfortunately, along with body fat, many also lose valuable muscle mass.

Muscle is incredibly important. It supports your metabolism, strength, mobility and helps maintain your weight loss in the long term.

That is why, when using these medications, it is worth working with a knowledgeable healthcare professional who can guide and support you throughout the process.

A 10-minute walk alone is not enough.

🏋️ Resistance training 3–4 times per week
🥩 Adequate protein intake
💧 Proper hydration
😴 Sufficient sleep and recovery

These are the key elements that help preserve muscle during weight loss.

What happens to your skin?

The faster you lose weight, the greater the chance that your skin won’t tighten at the same pace.

In my clinic, I often notice:

🚩 loss of facial firmness,
🚩 increased neck laxity,
🚩 loss of cheek volume,
🚩 looser skin on the abdomen, arms and thighs.

It’s simply important to know what to expect and prepare your body accordingly throughout the weight loss journey.

Can you regain weight after stopping the medication?

🚩 Yes.
After stopping treatment, appetite usually returns gradually to its previous level. If healthy eating habits and regular physical activity are not maintained, body weight may increase again. In some people, it may even exceed their starting weight before treatment.

Summary
Medications such as Ozempic®, Wegovy® and Mounjaro® are currently among the most effective tools available to support obesity treatment.

The best results are achieved when medication is combined with a well-balanced diet, regular physical activity and long-term lifestyle changes.

Let’s remember that the goal is not simply to lose weight—it is to improve your health and maintain those results for years to come. 🙌

⸻

❤️ P.S.
In my next post, I’ll explain why your face can look older after weight loss—and what you can do to help protect your skin.

❤️ FEMALE OR**SM – WHY DO WE STILL FIND IT SO HARD TO TALK ABOUT?

Today, during one of my appointments, I had a conversation with one of my long-term clients.

We’ve known each other for over 10 years. During that time, we’ve talked about almost everything – children, work, successes, failures, health and all the changes life brings.

But s*x… hardly ever.

Today I told her about the topics I’m planning for my upcoming posts and asked what she would like to read about.

That’s when I realised once again that our conversations inspire me the most. ❤️

Lately, I’ve also been thinking more and more about writing my book… and I know many of you are waiting for it. 🙈

I promise I’m still working on it – I’m just searching for the perfect ending.

Thank you for your patience and support. 🙏

So, back to today’s topic…

❤️ Why is it still so difficult to talk about or**sm?

Because many women still avoid talking about their intimate needs – even in long-term relationships or marriage.

We’re often embarrassed to admit that we don’t reach or**sm, and sometimes we even fake it… simply because we don’t want to hurt our partner or start an uncomfortable conversation. 🙈

🧠 Every woman is different.

Not every woman reaches or**sm through pe*******on alone.

And that is completely normal.

Most women need cl****al stimulation, emotional closeness, a sense of safety, the right atmosphere and genuine intimacy.

There isn’t one “correct” way.

❤️ Your partner can’t read your mind.

This may be the most important sentence in this entire post.

If we never tell our partner what feels good, how are they supposed to know?

No one can read minds.

Honest communication is not criticism.

It’s a sign of trust.

And trust is one of the strongest foundations of a healthy relationship.

🌸 Libido changes throughout life.

After the age of 40, a woman’s body naturally begins to change.

Hormones change.Stress levels change. Sleep changes. Life changes.

Children grow up, parents get older, new responsibilities appear…

We often think life will become easier—but sometimes it brings completely new challenges.

All of these things can affect s*xual desire.

And that is perfectly normal.

A lower libido does not automatically mean there’s a problem in your relationship or that someone is being unfaithful.

But avoiding conversations about intimacy for months or years can slowly create distance, frustration and misunderstandings.

That’s why communication matters.

Not when it’s already too late…

But long before that. ❤️

When should you seek help?

If you’ve been experiencing pain during s*x, have very low libido, or have never experienced an or**sm despite wanting to and having adequate stimulation, it doesn’t mean “that’s just how you are.”

Sometimes the cause may be hormonal changes, chronic stress, certain medications, medical conditions or excessive tension in the pelvic floor muscles.

Please don’t be afraid to talk to your GP, a gynaecologist or a pelvic health physiotherapist.

You don’t have to struggle with it alone. ❤️

❤️ A happy relationship is also good for your health.

Research suggests that healthy relationships and a satisfying intimate life may:

❤️ reduce stress and cortisol levels,
❤️ improve sleep quality,
❤️ increase oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”),
❤️ boost mood through endorphins and dopamine,
❤️ strengthen feelings of safety and emotional security,
❤️ support better mental and emotional wellbeing.

Because it’s not just about s*x.

It’s about closeness, touch, conversation.

Feeling loved, valued and emotionally safe.

🌷 Remember…

There is no such thing as a perfect relationship.

There are simply two people who continue learning about each other every single day.

And honest communication is often the best place to start.

❤️ If this post encourages even one woman to have an honest conversation with her partner today, then it was worth writing.

Because a happy relationship doesn’t begin with perfect s*x.

It begins with honest communication. ❤️

⸻

❤️ P.S.

I’m already preparing the next topic—one that many of you have been asking me about…

💉 Weight Loss Injections

Are they really as effective as social media suggests?

How do they actually work?

Who are they suitable for?

What are the benefits—and what are the risks?

I’ll be sharing not only evidence-based information but also my own observations from working with clients.

We’ll talk about results, side effects, muscle loss, skin changes and whether these treatments are really the right choice for everyone.

Joanna Kluczna

🩸 IRON & FERRITIN – THEY ARE NOT THE SAME THING!

Most people associate iron only with anaemia. But when I ask my clients about ferritin, I very often hear: “What exactly is ferritin?” 🤔

Interestingly, ferritin often tells us much more than the iron level itself.

What is iron?

Iron is an essential mineral that your body cannot function properly without.

It plays a key role in:
🩸 carrying oxygen around the body (haemoglobin),
🧠 healthy brain function and concentration,
💪 energy production,
🛡️ supporting a healthy immune system.

And what is ferritin?

Ferritin is your body’s iron storage protein.

Think of it this way:
➡️ Iron is the money in your wallet.
➡️ Ferritin is your savings account.

You may still have a normal blood iron level, but if your ferritin is low, it means your iron stores are running out.

That’s why checking iron alone is often not enough.

Symptoms of iron deficiency or low ferritin

❌ Constant tiredness
❌ Low energy
❌ Hair loss
❌ Brittle nails
❌ Pale skin
❌ Shortness of breath during exercise
❌ Headaches and dizziness
❌ Difficulty concentrating
❌ Feeling cold all the time

Interestingly, for many people, excessive hair loss is one of the very first signs, even when a full blood count is still completely normal.

What happens if your iron is too high?

Too much iron isn’t good either.

It may contribute to:
⚠️ Liver damage
⚠️ Heart problems
⚠️ Increased oxidative stress
⚠️ Iron build-up in organs

That’s why iron supplements should never be taken “just in case”.

What are normal ferritin levels?

Reference ranges vary slightly between laboratories.

Ferritin is commonly considered normal at around:
📊 15–150 µg/L for women and 30–400 µg/L for men.

However…

Being within the laboratory reference range doesn’t always mean your level is optimal.

Results should always be interpreted alongside your symptoms, full blood count and other blood tests.

Do you need to supplement iron?

Not always.

If you don’t have an iron deficiency, a balanced diet is usually enough.

Iron supplements should only be started after blood tests have confirmed a deficiency and the underlying cause has been investigated.

Which foods contain the most iron?

The best absorbed form (haem iron):
🥩 Red meat
🫀 Liver and other organ meats
🐟 Fish

Plant sources:
🌱 Lentils
🫘 Beans
🥜 Pumpkin seeds
🥬 Spinach
🌾 Wholegrains

💡 Don’t forget vitamin C!

Vitamin C significantly improves iron absorption, while tea and coffee consumed with meals can reduce it.

If you’re taking an iron supplement because your ferritin is low, it’s often best to take it first thing in the morning with a glass of water and some vitamin C (or a squeeze of lemon), then wait about an hour before having your coffee or tea. 🙌
⸻
P.S.

A conversation with one of my lovely clients today really caught my attention.

I had already planned a completely different topic for my next post, but I’ve decided to change my plans a little. 😊

With my client’s permission (she asked to remain anonymous), I’m going to talk about something that is still discussed far too rarely…

The female or**sm. ❤️

Only a few years ago, many women felt embarrassed talking about their s*xuality, desires or difficulties. Today, I truly believe that—especially after the age of 40—we should be able to have these conversations openly, without embarrassment or shame.

This won’t be a sensational post. It will be based on science, health and female awareness.

I hope it will help many of you.

See you very soon! 🫶
Joanna Kluczna

🧬 COLLAGEN – DO WE REALLY NEED TO SUPPLEMENT IT?

Collagen is a protein that acts a bit like the “scaffolding” of our body. It is an important component of our skin, bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments.

As we get older, our body produces less of it. But does that mean we all need to take collagen supplements or drink collagen? 🤔

What happens to the collagen we eat or drink?

Collagen from powders, capsules or food doesn’t travel directly to your wrinkles or your aching knee. 😉

In the digestive system, it is mainly broken down into amino acids and small peptides. Some collagen peptides can be absorbed and may also act as a kind of signal to our cells, supporting processes involved in the production of our own collagen.

It is the body that decides where and how those available building blocks will be used.

Can we get everything we need from a normal diet?

Yes. In a healthy person, a well-balanced diet can provide the nutrients the body needs to produce its own collagen.

The foundation is getting enough protein – from foods such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy products and legumes. Foods containing connective tissue, fish skin or gelatine also provide collagen itself.

Vitamin C is also extremely important because it is essential for normal collagen synthesis. Other nutrients, including zinc and copper, also play a role.

Does collagen supplementation actually work?

Research on hydrolysed collagen peptides suggests that regular supplementation may help improve things such as skin hydration and elasticity in some people, while certain collagen products may also provide support for joints.

Studies commonly use around 2.5–10 g of collagen peptides per day, depending on the purpose and the specific product.

I’ll make a separate post about which type of collagen to choose, what to look for when buying one and how different collagen supplements compare. ☺️

Just remember – don’t expect results after a few days. Studies generally assess the effects after several weeks or months of regular use.

Does our body store collagen “for later”?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like this: we drink a huge portion of collagen today and our body puts the extra into a little “storage cupboard” for the future. 😉

Our tissues are constantly producing and breaking down collagen. That’s why, rather than taking one huge dose, it is more important to regularly provide your body with enough protein and the nutrients it needs to produce collagen.

And remember one more important thing:

We can buy the most expensive collagen supplement on the market, but if we smoke, expose our skin excessively to the sun, have a poor diet and constantly lack sleep, a supplement won’t undo all that damage.

UV radiation, in particular, accelerates the breakdown of collagen in the skin.

But I’ll tell you more about that in another post. 😉

The easiest way to remember it:

🥩 Protein + 🍊 vitamin C + 🥗 a well-balanced diet = your body has the building blocks it needs to produce its own collagen.

🧬 Collagen peptides can provide additional support, but that doesn’t mean everyone needs to supplement them.

📦 Collagen isn’t simply stored “for later”, and the collagen you drink doesn’t automatically go straight to your skin, hair or aching joints.

Supplementation can have its place, but build the foundations first – supplements come second. 🙏

I’ll definitely come back to the topic of collagen because I don’t want to overwhelm you with kilometre-long posts 😉, and there is still so much more worth talking about. ☺️

🩸 Tomorrow, we’re moving on to another very important topic: IRON AND FERRITIN.

Today I asked one of my favourite clients what she knew about iron.

Her answer really moved me… 😂😉 I quote:

“So we don’t get blown away when it’s windy.”
L.P. 😂

Well… tomorrow we’ll discover that iron actually has a few more responsibilities in our body. ☺️🩸

We’ll talk about the difference between iron and ferritin, why iron deficiency doesn’t always mean you already have anaemia, and why a standard full blood count doesn’t always tell us the whole story.

I already have a list of interesting topics planned – about health and much more. 🍒 But if there’s something you’d particularly like me to talk about, leave a comment or send me a private message. Your questions often inspire my next posts. 🫶

And while I’m here, I want to say one big THANK YOU. ❤️

Thank you to all my clients for your trust, for coming back to me and for recommending me to your friends and loved ones. It genuinely means a lot to me. 🫶🍒

P.S. I’m already counting down the days until my holiday… 🙈☀️🍹 If anyone would still like to see me face to face before I go away, please send me a private message and I’ll do my best to find you an appointment.

And please don’t be upset with me if I don’t always reply straight away. Some days my to-do list seems to have more hours in it than the actual day… and as we get older – well, you know how it is. 🙈😉🍒

Have a lovely day, everyone! 🫶🍒


Kluczna

🩺✨ WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE REGULAR HEALTH CHECK-UPS?

People come to my clinic with many different concerns and goals. Some want to improve the appearance and condition of their skin, reshape their body, reduce body fat, regain their energy, or find solutions for persistent fatigue, back pain or other health concerns.

And very often, one of the first questions I ask is:
“When did you last have your health checks or blood tests done?”

The answers I often hear are:

👉 “Three years ago…”
👉 “I don’t remember…”
👉 “I had some tests done, but I never saw the results.”
👉 “My doctor said everything was normal.”

❤️ My lovely clients, up-to-date health checks are the foundation of looking after yourself properly.

Results from two or three years ago do not necessarily reflect what is happening in your body today. Some health markers can change within just a few weeks or months depending on your health, diet, stress levels, hormones, medications, body weight and lifestyle.

Sometimes symptoms such as persistent tiredness, changes in skin condition, hair loss, difficulty losing weight or simply not feeling your best may be associated with deficiencies or underlying health issues that are worth investigating first.

🩸 A full blood count, iron and ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, glucose and HbA1c, lipid profile and thyroid function tests are examples of tests that may be considered. However, the appropriate tests should always be selected individually according to your symptoms, age, medical history and personal risk factors.

Health checks are not only about looking for disease. They are also an important part of prevention and taking care of your future health.

Regular testing can help identify changes earlier and, when necessary, allow you to discuss them with your doctor and receive appropriate medical treatment. When we have a clearer understanding of what is happening inside the body, we can also make more informed decisions about nutrition, lifestyle and safe, appropriately selected aesthetic treatments. 🌿✨

💗 Don’t wait until your body starts shouting for help. Have regular health checks and know your results. Being told that everything is “within the normal range” doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see your results or monitor how they change over time.

If you’re unsure where to start, I’ll be happy to help you understand which tests may be worth discussing with your doctor or arranging privately, review your results within the scope of my professional practice, and, where appropriate and safe, create an individual skincare and treatment plan tailored to you, your needs and your goals. 🫶

📩 Book a consultation – let’s start with the foundation: your health.


Joanna Kluczna Modern Beauty

Today I performed a subtle darkening of a previous permanent makeup treatment to achieve a more defined, yet still natural-looking brow effect 🤎
I recommend PMU permanent makeup for people who would like to enhance their natural beauty and save time on their daily makeup routine.

✔️ Indications for PMU treatment:
• eyebrow asymmetry
• sparse or very light brow hair
• gaps in the brows
• desire to subtly enhance the eyes
• convenience and time-saving
• active lifestyle

❌ Contraindications for the treatment:
• pregnancy and breastfeeding
• active infections or skin inflammation
• recent cosmetic procedures around the eyebrow area
• uncontrolled diabetes
• cancer (after consultation with a doctor)
• tendency to develop keloid scars
• active herpes or skin allergies
P.S. A huge thank you to Paulina for allowing me to share her photo 🫶
Paulina is also the person who has been taking care of my eyelashes for a long time, and I’m truly grateful for that 🙏
As for permanent makeup, this was already our second visit together, and I’m so happy that we could once again gently refresh and enhance her brows 🤎.

🇵🇱✨Jakie zabiegi polecam w 2026 roku — i dlaczego ✨

Nowy, bardzo silny trend w estetyce i terapii to slow anti-aging, czyli podejście, w którym:
➡️ stawiamy na zabiegi inteligentne
➡️ pracujemy zgodnie z biologią organizmu
➡️ wzmacniamy skórę i tkanki od środka, a nie tylko „na chwilę”
To podejście łączy estetykę, fizjologię i regenerację.
Zamiast szybkich, krótkotrwałych efektów — wybieramy zdrową skórę, naturalny wygląd i dobre samopoczucie.

👉 Co ważne: ten trend stosuję w swoim gabinecie od lat i w 100% się pod nim podpisuję. 🫶

1️⃣ Zabiegi na twarz
Regeneracja + biostymulacja
Dlaczego?
Bo z wiekiem skóra traci kolagen, elastyczność i nawilżenie. Dzisiejsza medycyna i kosmetologia pozwalają realnie spowalniać i częściowo odwracać procesy starzenia, a nie tylko je maskować.
W szczególności polecam:
✔️ biostymulatory kolagenu
✔️ mezoterapię nawilżającą
✔️ lifting własnym osoczem i fibryną — bez skalpela (ujędrnienie + naturalny efekt)
✔️ zabiegi regeneracyjne połączone z fizjologią tkanek
✔️ masaże twarzy i całego ciała
✔️ laseroterapię (szczególnie w okresie jesienno-zimowym)
✨ Efekt?
Skóra staje się bardziej jędrna, nawodniona, świetlista i biologicznie młodsza.

2️⃣ Zabiegi na ciało
Ujędrnienie + remodelowanie + zdrowie
Dlaczego?
Bo praca z ciałem to nie tylko kosmetyka. To także metabolizm, krążenie, tkanka łączna i hormony.
Polecam:
✔️ zabiegi antycellulitowe oparte na pracy z tkanką łączną
✔️ zabiegi poprawiające jędrność skóry (kolagen + elastyna)
✔️ terapie wspierające modelowanie sylwetki
✔️ zabiegi na obrzęki, napięcia i „ciężkie nogi” (drenaż + fizjologia)
✨ Efekt?
Lżejsze ciało, jędrniejsza skóra, lepsze krążenie i wyraźniejszy kontur sylwetki.

🌿 Co jeszcze ma ogromne znaczenie?
Ważnym uzupełnieniem terapii jest suplementacja — z własnego doświadczenia wiem, jak dużą robi różnicę.
I nie zapominajmy o ruchu: nawet 15 minut aktywności dziennie ma realny wpływ na skórę, ciało i samopoczucie.
Slow anti-aging to nie moda.
To mądre dbanie o siebie na lata ✨

ℹ️ Dla osób, które potrzebują wsparcia fizjoterapeutycznego:
Jestem zarejestrowanym fizjoterapeutą w UK (HCPC).
———————————————————————-

🇬🇧✨ Which treatments do I recommend in 2026 — and why? ✨
One of the strongest trends in aesthetics and therapy is slow anti-aging — an approach where we:
➡️ choose intelligent treatments
➡️ work in harmony with the body’s biology
➡️ strengthen the skin and tissues from within, not just temporarily
This approach combines aesthetics, physiology and regeneration.
Instead of quick, short-term results, we focus on healthy skin, a naturally youthful appearance and overall wellbeing.

👉 What’s important to me: I have been working this way in my clinic for years, and I truly stand behind this approach.🫶

1️⃣ Facial treatments
Regeneration + biostimulation
Why?
Because with age, the skin naturally loses collagen, elasticity and hydration. Modern aesthetic medicine and advanced skin therapies allow us to slow down and partially reverse the ageing process, not just camouflage it.
In particular, I recommend:
✔️ collagen biostimulators
✔️ hydrating mesotherapy
✔️ lifting with your own plasma and fibrin — non-surgical (firming + natural results)
✔️ regenerative treatments combined with tissue physiology
✔️ facial and full-body massage
✔️ laser therapy (especially during the autumn and winter months)
✨ The result?
Skin that is firmer, better hydrated, more radiant and biologically younger.

2️⃣ Body treatments
Firming + reshaping + health
Why?
Because working with the body is not just about appearance. It’s about metabolism, circulation, connective tissue and hormones.
I recommend:
✔️ anti-cellulite treatments focused on connective tissue work
✔️ skin-firming treatments (collagen + elastin support)
✔️ therapies supporting body contouring
✔️ treatments for swelling, tension and “heavy legs” (drainage + physiology)
✨ The result?
A lighter body, firmer skin, improved circulation and a more defined silhouette.

🌿 What else really matters?
An important part of the process is supplementation — from my own experience, it truly makes a difference.
And let’s not forget movement: even 15 minutes of daily physical activity has a real impact on the skin, the body and overall wellbeing.
Slow anti-aging is not a trend.
It’s a smart, long-term investment in yourself ✨
ℹ️ For those who require physiotherapy support:
I am a UK-registered physiotherapist (HCPC).

#2026