If you're trying to lose weight, you've probably seen a lot of ads for products that promise quick results. Weight loss patches are one of these products. These patches are adhesive bandages that you apply to your skin, and they're supposed to deliver fat-burning or metabolism-boosting ingredients to your body. But do they really work? Are they safe? This article will provide information, according to doctors, about weight loss patches.
What are Weight Loss Patches?
Weight loss patches, also known as slimming or liposuction patches, are adhesive bandages that you apply to the part of your body that you’re hoping to reduce, such as your belly, arms, or thighs. Some patches use “transdermal substance absorption,” which means that the patch is meant to absorb through your skin to assist in general fat burning and accelerated metabolism.
These patches are intended to work transdermally, which means the active ingredients go directly into the skin, bypassing your digestive system. That's the key difference between patches and oral supplements you’d ingest, such as in pill or powder form.
Some frequently searched products include Hukoto patches, Hibana patches, and Yasumint patches, which all share a common ingredient derived from Asian mint.
Ingredients in Weight Loss Patches
The ingredients in weight loss patches vary wildly, including green tea extract, garcinia cambogia, B vitamins, acai berry, kelp, apple cider vinegar, and more. Some common ingredients include Japanese mint, green tea extract, green coffee bean extract, and bitter orange. They also may include essential oils and other moisturizing ingredients for the skin. The instructions generally advise leaving a patch on for six to eight hours and using three to four times per week.
Read also: Exploring the Science Behind Diet Patches
Here's a closer look at some of the most common active ingredients found in these patches:
- Green tea extract: Some research has suggested that caffeine may contribute to weight loss, and green tea specifically may help with weight loss and weight management, according to a 2020 review published in Nutrients. But it’s not a magic solution. And while green tea extract is generally pretty safe, green tea weight loss supplements have led to liver damage in rare cases, according to LiverTox, a National Institute of Health resource for physicians and patients about the safety of supplements.
- Green coffee bean extract: Green coffee bean extract comes from raw coffee beans that haven’t been roasted. These beans contain chlorogenic acid, which could significantly decrease body weight without severe adverse effects, a 2019 study published in Nutrients found. However, the study focused on daily consumption of at least 300 mg of chlorogenic acid over the course of 12 weeks, and was not administered via patch. In other words, the results aren’t necessarily comparable. And if you're considering trying chlorogenic acid in another form, always, always talk to your doctor first.
- Hokuto mint: Hokuto mint (also known as Japanese mint or corn mint), contains menthol, which gives off the same minty smell that pain relief products like Bengay do. Sellers often claim that it works by blocking the body’s absorption of sugars and starches, preventing them from being stored as fat. There is no research behind this mint with regard to oral or transdermal administration for weight loss.
- Ephedra: Also commonly referred to as ephedrine, this ingredient has a reputation for being straight-up dangerous, and rightfully so. In fact, in 2004, ephedra was banned by the FDA for use in diet and sports supplements because it showed to have serious health risks like heart attack and stroke, resulting in deaths. Physicians generally agree that it’s not a safe or effective treatment for weight loss. Steer clear.
- Bitter orange extract: Bitter orange extract is found in citrus fruits such as Seville oranges and contains synephrine, a stimulant with effects similar to ephedrine, according to a 2017 study published in Phytotherapy Research. Because of this, makers of bitter orange extract patches have claimed it can help with weight loss by helping to burn more calories and fat, as well as by suppressing appetite. However, the study concluded that these effects are minimal and further research is still needed.
- Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is an ancient herb that has been shown to potentially help alleviate stress and anxiety, which can lead to mindless eating, or “stress eating”. While it can reduce levels of cortisol (a.k.a. the stress hormone) according to a 2023 study published in The International Journal of Molecular Sciences, this isn’t a guarantee that it’ll help you drop pounds.
- Cannabidiol: Cannabidiol, or CBD, has gained significant popularity, particularly as a method for relieving pain and anxiety, and it’s starting to pop up in patch form as well. CBD oil may have some appetite-suppressing qualities, which is why people may be intrigued enough to try it. However, like CBD creams, these patches are usually intended for uses like muscle pain relief, and, as with most others on this list, more research is needed when it comes CBD for weight loss.
- Garcinia cambogia: Garcinia cambogia is derived from the fruit of the Malabar tamarind tree native to Southeastern Asia. It’s typically used as a food preservative and flavoring agent, but garcinia cambogia has increasingly been used in weight loss products due to claims that it can block your body’s ability to produce fat and suppress your appetite in the short term, according to a 2021 study published in Nutrients. That said, the study only found a minimal difference in body weight in those taking garcinia cambogia, per a 2022 study in the same journal. Instead, it might also produce side effects like headache, nausea, or acute liver injury.
Do the Ingredients in Weight Loss Patches Actually Work?
Many of the most common active ingredients in these patches do rev heart rate or speed up metabolism-however, these effects tend to be very minimal. And because weight loss patches aren’t regulated by the FDA, it’s not possible to know the full extent of potential risks and side effects when you can't gauge how much of certain ingredients are in the patch, and what other ingredients its packing.
Unfortunately, there isn’t substantial research showcasing that the ingredients found in these patches are effective or have any benefit, even if they were delivered through the bloodstream.
Weight loss patches are advertised as promoting weight loss by transferring ingredients through the skin, a process known as transdermal. They’re sometimes called “slim” or “slimming” patches.
Several types of patches exist, each containing natural and plant-based ingredients or prescription medications. A 2024 animal study suggests benefits from weight loss patches, but very few human studies have examined the effectiveness of ingredients intended to be absorbed into the skin via these patches.
Read also: The Truth About Weight Loss Patches
Even with oral intake, the research is lacking, but the transdermal route is even less understood.
Potential Side Effects of Weight Loss Patches
Again, the FDA does not regulate dietary or weight loss supplements, including weight loss patches. As a result, adverse side effects such as nausea, headache, increased heart rate (a.k.a tachycardia), and skin irritation near the application site are possible.
Plus, because weight loss patches are unregulated, most have not been tested for safety and may contain harmful ingredients. The key aspect regarding these patches is their assertion of being entirely natural, however, they sometimes contain a mixture of ingredients, including substances that might lead to tachycardia and other adverse effects. No scientific evidence supports their effectiveness in promoting weight loss, and as a standard practice, doctors do not usually recommend them.
Supplements aren’t regulated for dosing or quality control, so the ingredients may not match what’s listed on the label.
Do Weight Loss Patches Work?
At the end of the day, these patches won’t help you slim down quickly, even if you’re exercising and eating well at the same time. The main reason people tend to be optimistic about these patches is because of all the claims out there about trendy ingredients helping with weight loss. But from a physiological standpoint, a single ingredient (and in such small, sporadic amounts) simply can’t have an impactful effect on body fat and metabolism.
Read also: Risks and Side Effects of Lyllana Patch
It’s also worth noting that the location where you apply the patch does not matter either. If a transdermal patch was effective, it would work in any skin area, and location should not matter. If these patches had evidence of working for weight loss, doctors would be using them in obesity medicine practice, however, there is no evidence that they work.
Finding evidence to prove that a weight loss patch actually works is pretty much impossible. The research that does exist largely comes from the manufacturers themselves, meaning the findings could be misreported. Plus, there’s no standardized dosing for herbs and extracts.
Is There Any Harm in Trying a Patch?
First off, always talk to your doctor before trying any type of weight loss patches or other products. While patches probably are not harmful in most cases (because, again, they won’t do anything), they could be, and they likely aren’t worth your money at the very least.
If you intend to use a patch, avoid sensitive areas, as skin reactions are the biggest concern.
How to Effectively Lose Weight
Exercise is a must for weight loss. Be consistent and do what is fun for you, whether you walk, hike, swim, ski, bike, skate, or dance. Do any activity that raises your heart rate and start with small goals of 10 to 15 minutes and build on that. Resistance training is also helpful, and you can get started with body weight. Then, once you get stronger, you can add some light weight or resistance bands.
In addition, tweak your diet and focus on consuming more fiber in order to lose weight. (Think: broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, apples, beans, chickpeas, and lentils.) Fruits, vegetables, and lean protein like eggs, chicken, and tofu also provide essential nutrients that support weight loss and overall health. These foods are loaded with nutrients and will help you feel full without adding many calories to your diet. Fish, nuts, and vegetable oils are also great additions because they contain monounsaturated fats which help lower bad cholesterol levels, in turn, reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke. Carbohydrates are also totally okay to eat, just focus on non-processed options like multigrain bread, brown rice, barley, quinoa, and oatmeal.
It’s also best to limit alcohol and avoid sugary drinks such as soda, fruit juices, and coffee packed with cream and sweetener. Instead, focus on increasing your water intake and aim for about two liters per day. You’re also better off avoiding processed meats like ham, sausage, and pepperoni, and saturated fats.
Sustainable weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint. Losing weight (and keeping it off) requires a multi-prong approach, incorporating diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management. There’s no perfect, one-size-fits-all diet, so your best bet is to consult with a registered dietitian or an obesity physician to find one that will fit your individual needs and goals.
When it comes to physical activity, the American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise (bike riding, jogging, or brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (running, HIIT, or boxing) a week.
Sleep and stress management also matter when it comes to maintaining your physique. Lack of sleep is associated with obesity, higher BMI, and weight gain.
A Clinical Approach
If your previous weight loss attempts have left you frustrated and disheartened, you're not alone. There's a multitude of factors that can affect your ability to lose weight, including your age, gender, metabolism and hormones. It's important to consult with a medical professional to ensure all these important pieces of the puzzle are under control.
Your doctor can recommend well-researched, FDA-approved medications tailored to your particular weight issues, whether related to a metabolic condition or emotional overeating.