In our clinic, we often see clients who are experiencing hair loss and increased hair shedding while on weight loss drugs (GLP-1 agonists), such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. This isn’t necessarily a direct side effect of the medications themselves, but rather it is due to rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies bought on by a sudden reduction in food intake.
The type of hair loss people usually experience whilst taking GLP-1 agonists is telogen effluvium — excessive daily hair shedding. Any time you lose weight rapidly, or nutritional deficiencies occur, telogen effluvium often follows. The reason this happens is that when the body is deprived of nutrients or calories, it goes into survival mode, and as hair is a non-essential tissue, it deprioritises sending fuel to your hair follicles — directing them to essential organs instead. Your hair is therefore often the first part of the body to feel the effects of sub-optimal nutrition. Due to the length of the resting stage of the hair growth cycle, shedding usually occurs about 2-4 months after starting a GLP-1 medication.
While it might not be possible to prevent GLP-1-induced hair shedding, making sure you are eating good quality, nutritious foods, as well as protein-rich foods, will help. Losing weight slowly, rather than rapidly, may also benefit.
While hair loss can be an upsetting side effect of an otherwise positive treatment, rest assured any increased shedding should be reversible. The good news is telogen effluvium is temporary. Even if the shedding looks or feels dramatic, it does not change or damage your hair follicles and should stop within 3-6 months, provided there are no ongoing, underlying contributing factors.
If hair loss does not settle, however, blood tests are recommended to check all the relevant hair-essential nutrients are optimised, or any deficiencies addressed. In the meantime, a balanced diet packed with nutritious, nutrient and protein-dense foods, will help to support healthy hair growth.
There has been some speculation GLP-1 agonists may affect other types of hair loss as well.
For instance, it has been suggested GLP-1 agonists may be linked to an increased risk for Androgenetic Alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss) in some people. However, research is still ongoing and no definitive link has been established. It could simply be that extra hair shedding and the loss of volume from excessive shedding unmasks any thinning the client was previously unaware of.
Another recent study suggested GLP1s may have a positive effect on treatment outcomes for other hair loss conditions, such as CCCA (Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia) — a type of scarring hair loss. This study suggests weight loss jabs may inhibit proinflammatory meditators. As inflammation underpins scarring hair loss conditions, this is a positive.
As the popularity and use of these drugs for weight loss has grown, more and more studies are being conducted on their side effects. We are learning new things all the time, and it is always useful to keep an eye out for new research and findings.
Remember: looking after your overall health is going to benefit your hair, and weight loss can play a part in that. So, during your time on the drugs, try to prioritise a healthy, protein-rich diet and always seek further advice if your hair loss is concerning you.
If you are worried about hair loss or shedding, contact us to book a consultation with our trichologists. Our clinic team will be delighted to assist you.