The UK's most complete GLP-1 guide
Every Question Answered. Every Side Effect Explained.
- How GLP-1 medications work
- Mounjaro vs Wegovy compared
- Injection instructions
- Side effects & solutions
- What to eat on treatment
- FAQs answered
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How Does Weight Loss Affect Your Tattoos?
Weight loss can affect tattoos in several ways, including changes to skin elasticity, distortion of the design, and potential fading. Whether you're losing weight through lifestyle changes, NHS weight management programmes, or prescription medication like Mounjaro or Wegovy, understanding how your body changes can help you protect your ink. This guide explains what happens to tattoos during weight loss and how to minimise damage to existing designs.
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Calculate Your BMI Instantly
Enter your height and weight below. Supports both imperial (stone & lbs) and metric (kg). Results include NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity adjustments.
What Is BMI and Why Does It Matter?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used screening tool for assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range. Used by the NHS, GPs, and weight management services across the UK, BMI provides a quick snapshot of your weight relative to your height. The formula is simple: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (kg/m²).
While BMI isn't a perfect measure — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution — it remains the standard first step in identifying potential weight-related health risks including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.
The NHS also recommends adjusted thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, or Black African heritage — a BMI of 23 or above is classified as overweight, and 27.5 as obese. Our calculator includes this adjustment as a one-click toggle.
How Tattoos Change During Weight Loss
When you lose weight, your skin loses volume and elasticity. Tattoos are embedded in the dermis (middle layer of skin), so they're affected by changes in the skin around them. Several changes occur:
- Stretching and distortion: During gradual weight management, skin may not contract evenly. If a tattoo was placed over stretched skin during a heavier weight, the design may become distorted or the lines may appear thinner or warped as skin tightens.
- Fading: Weight loss can sometimes cause tattoos to appear slightly faded because the skin texture changes. This is usually temporary — the tattoo isn't actually damaged, but the appearance changes.
- Colour shift: As skin quality improves through healthy weight loss, colours may appear slightly different due to changes in skin tone and hydration.
- Line thickness variation: If weight loss is very rapid (more than 1.5 kg per week), skin may not adapt smoothly, causing tattoo lines to appear uneven.
Slower weight loss minimises these effects. The NHS recommends losing 0.5–1 kg per week for sustainable results, which gives skin time to adapt naturally.
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How It Works
Three simple steps to understand your weight and take action.
Enter your height and weight in our free calculator. Get your BMI, NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity-adjusted thresholds instantly.
If your BMI suggests you're overweight or obese, explore our GLP-1 calculators to project potential weight loss on Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Use our progress tracker to log your weight weekly, visualise your journey with charts, and stay motivated — all stored privately in your browser.
Free Weight Loss Tools & Guides
Everything you need to understand your weight, explore medication options, and track your progress — completely free.
Protecting Tattoos During Weight Management
If you're planning weight loss through UK weight management services, NHS programmes, or prescription weight loss medication, you can protect your tattoos:
- Aim for gradual weight loss: Losing weight at a sustainable pace (0.5–1 kg per week) gives your skin time to adjust without excessive stretching or sagging.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water during weight loss. Well-hydrated skin retains elasticity better and adapts more smoothly to body changes.
- Use moisturiser: Apply fragrance-free moisturiser daily to support skin health and elasticity during weight change.
- Avoid rapid weight cycling: Yo-yo dieting (repeated gradual weight management and gain) is particularly hard on skin and tattoos. Sustainable weight loss is better for both your health and your ink.
- Check with your tattoo artist: If you're considering a new tattoo, wait until your weight has stabilised. Your artist can advise on placement for areas most likely to change during future weight loss.
Use our free BMI calculator to track your progress toward a healthy weight range, and try our GLP-1 weight loss calculator if you're considering prescription weight loss medication like Mounjaro or Wegovy.
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 22.5% body weight loss (SURMOUNT-1)
- Weekly injection, dose escalation over 20+ weeks
- Available via private prescription in the UK
- Doses: 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 15–17% body weight loss (STEP trials)
- Weekly injection, 5-step dose escalation
- NHS & private prescription available
- Doses: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg
Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Head-to-Head
A side-by-side comparison of the two most popular GLP-1 weight loss medications available in the UK.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist |
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Avg. weight loss | 15–22.5% | 12–17% |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (2022) | STEP 1 (2021) |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Escalation period | 20–32 weeks | 16–20 weeks |
| Administration | Weekly injection (pen) | Weekly injection (pen) |
| NHS availability | Private prescription only | NHS & private |
| Approx. private cost | £150–£250/month | £150–£300/month |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea |
Data sourced from SURMOUNT-1 and STEP 1 clinical trials. Costs are approximate and vary by provider. Always consult a prescriber.
Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Medication?
In the UK, eligibility for GLP-1 weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy is based on your BMI and overall health profile.
- BMI of 30 or above (obese)
- Age 18 or over
- No contraindicated conditions
- Committed to lifestyle changes
- BMI of 27 or above
- Plus type 2 diabetes
- Or high blood pressure
- Or obstructive sleep apnoea
Use our BMI calculator to check whether your BMI falls within the eligible range.
How We Built These Tools
Every calculator and guide on myweightcheck is built with accuracy and transparency in mind. Our BMI calculator uses the standard WHO formula with NHS-aligned category thresholds. Our GLP-1 projections are modelled on published clinical trial data from SURMOUNT and STEP studies.
All data stays on your device. We don't require sign-ups, and we don't store your health information on any server. Your progress tracker saves data locally in your browser using localStorage, so only you can see it.
We're based in the UK and our tools are designed specifically for UK users — supporting stone & lbs by default, referencing NHS guidelines, using NICE-approved medication data, and linking to GPhC-registered pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BMI, weight loss medications, and our free UK tools.
Will my tattoo fade permanently if I lose weight?
No. Tattoo fading during weight loss is usually temporary and related to changes in skin texture and hydration, not damage to the ink itself. The tattoo remains permanently embedded in your skin. Slower, gradual weight loss minimises visible changes.
Should I get a tattoo before or after weight loss?
It's generally better to wait until your weight has stabilised before getting a new tattoo. This ensures the design sits on skin that won't change significantly in the near future. If you're undergoing weight management, discuss timing with your tattoo artist.
Can gradual weight management damage existing tattoos?
gradual weight management (more than 1.5 kg per week) can cause skin to adapt unevenly, potentially distorting tattoo lines or causing them to appear misaligned. Gradual weight loss at 0.5–1 kg per week, as recommended by the NHS, minimises these effects.
Do prescription weight loss medications like Wegovy affect tattoos differently?
Weight loss from any source — whether through diet, exercise, or prescription medication like Wegovy or Mounjaro — affects tattoos in the same way. The medication itself doesn't damage tattoos. What matters is the rate and extent of weight loss. Sustainable weight loss gives skin time to adapt.
What can I do to protect my tattoos during weight loss?
Stay hydrated, use daily moisturiser, aim for gradual weight loss (0.5–1 kg per week), and avoid rapid weight cycling. These steps support skin elasticity and health during body changes. Our progress tracker can help you monitor steady, sustainable weight loss progress.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
Start with a free BMI check, explore your GLP-1 options, or begin tracking your progress today. No sign-up. No cost. Just results.