Hair Loss · 3 min read
GLP-1 Medications and Hair Loss: Ozempic, Wegovy & More
Why rapid weight loss on GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy can trigger shedding, how to prevent it, and whether hair grows back.
By the Hair Solutions of Long Island specialists ·
The short answer
GLP-1 medications don’t attack hair directly. Rapid weight loss and lower protein intake can trigger telogen effluvium, a temporary shedding phase. Eating enough protein, checking iron and vitamin levels and supporting the scalp help, and hair usually regrows within 6 to 12 months.
What Is a GLP-1 Medication?
Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy are just a few of the GLP-1 medications that starting making headlines in the last couple of years.
They were originally used to treat Type 2 diabetes when it was noticed that people on these drugs who had a significant amount of extra weight actually started to lose pounds.
As with all medications, GLP-1 medications can cause a range of side effects. One of which seems to be hair loss. Many people do not experience this but for those who do, this can be quite upsetting. Studies have shown that there is a small chance of experiencing some hair loss if you take a weight loss drug. One study found that 3% of users on Wegovy experienced alopecia. Another noted that around 4.9% of Mounjaro users experienced some hair loss.
Thankfully the percentages are low and it isn’t yet clear if it is the medication causing the hair loss or the extreme weight loss. Rapid weight loss causes a phenomenon known as telogen effluvium. **Telogen effluvium is a temporary condition that occurs when a higher-than-normal number of hair follicles enter the resting (telogen) phase, leading to increased hair loss** Is it the weight loss caused by these medications the culprit or is it the GLP-1 medications themselves? Since these GLP-1 meds are new among the masses, it seems clear that more studies are needed.
What Can You Do to Prevent Hair Loss if You Are Taking These Medications?
Let’s minimize the potential for hair loss during weight loss. Take your medication as prescribed and if you do experience any hair loss, bring this to the attention of your healthcare provider.
Often when on these medications (or any weight loss program) some people forget to eat foods that are nutritionally dense. Lack of nutrients can also cause our hair to go into the telogen effluvium phase, which we know causes hair loss.
Stick to a healthy diet while on the medication. Avoid processed foods and foods with little nutritional value. Seek out foods with natural ingredients and be sure to eat your fruits and vegetables. This will ensure that you can get a good range of vitamins and minerals and encourage natural hair growth (whether you are on these medications or not) and may assist in helping to combat any hair loss that could occur while taking the medication.
Will My Hair Grow Back After Taking GLP-1 Medications?
The good news about this type of hair loss is that it is temporary. People tend to find that once their weight begins to stabilize, their body becomes used to it and things go back to normal. It may take a 6-9 months to notice a difference. The new hairs need time to grow.
We’ll keep an eye on further studies that go into this topic.
Frequently asked questions
Is hair loss from Ozempic permanent?
Usually not. Shedding linked to rapid weight loss is typically temporary and improves once weight and nutrition stabilize.
How can I protect my hair while taking a GLP-1?
Prioritize protein at every meal, ask your doctor to check iron, vitamin D and B12, and consider scalp therapy or laser treatment to support regrowth.
