Weight loss has expanded beyond the traditional diet and exercise. While many continue with the traditional methods, others have switched to GLP-1 medications. Yet, there is a third group of people who are opting for this third option—weight loss patches. These transdermal patches claim to help you shed pounds by delivering fat-burning ingredients directly to your skin. However, experts caution that they may not be as effective—or safe—as advertised.Dr Jorge Moreno, an internal medicine physician at Yale Medicine, warns that weight loss patches are not FDA-regulated, making it impossible to know exactly what's inside them. While some patches use transdermal absorption to bypass the digestive system, delivering ingredients like green tea extract or Japanese mint, the effectiveness of these products is still minimal.What Is The Composition Of Weight Loss Patches?These patches often contain ingredients like green tea extract, which may boost metabolism slightly, and green coffee bean extract, which can help reduce weight when consumed orally in larger doses over extended periods. However, there is little evidence that these ingredients work effectively through patches. Other common ingredients, such as Hokuto mint and bitter orange extract, have limited or no proven impact on weight loss.Moreover, studies on weight loss patches are still in the early stages, with limited evidence supporting their efficacy in humans. A 2024 study published in the journal ACS Nano developed a biodegradable hyaluronic acid microneedle patch loaded with polydopamine nanoparticles and mirabegron. In obese mice, the patch promoted browning of white adipose tissue through mild photothermal therapy, resulting in approximately 22% weight loss after treatment. However, clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of weight loss patches in humans are lacking, and most claims are based on ingredients like garcinia cambogia and green coffee bean extract, which have shown minimal effects in oral form. Regulatory agencies, such as the FTC, have taken action against companies making unsubstantiated claims about these patches.Weight Loss Patches Can Lead To Side EffectsThe real concern, however, lies in the potential side effects. Dr Dina Peralta-Reich, an obesity medicine specialist, points out that these patches can cause nausea, headaches, and skin irritation. Worse, without regulation, there's no way to guarantee the safety or dosage of the ingredients, potentially leading to dangerous side effects.Despite the hype around weight loss patches, health experts warn that these products won't lead to significant weight loss. A combination of consistent exercise and healthy eating is still the most reliable approach. Ultimately, while weight loss patches may seem tempting, experts recommend sticking to proven methods like balanced diets, exercise, and professional guidance from your doctor.