Depending on how up to date you are with the news, you’ll either immediately recognize the GLP-1 reference in the title, or you’ll wonder what on earth it means. However, you’ll certainly have heard about weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, two of the best-known drugs that began making big headlines during 2024.
These are GLP-1 medications, formally known as glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists. While they are commonly used to treat Type 2 diabetes, they have become more common as a method for helping people lose weight if they have a significant amount to lose.
You might wonder what all this has to do with hair loss. As with all medications, GLP-1 medications can cause a range of side effects. Many people won’t experience anything, but one of the potential side effects appears to be hair loss, hence the purpose of this article. Let’s go into it in more depth to see whether there are any connections between some GLP-1 medications and hair loss.
Is There Any Proof That Some GLP-1 Medications Can Lead To Hair Loss?
Various studies have suggested that there is a chance of experiencing some hair loss if you take a weight loss drug. However, the percentages are small. One study found that 3% of users on Wegovy experienced alopecia. Another noted that around 4.9% of Mounjaro users experienced some hair loss.
It’s good to see the percentages are low, but it’s not clear whether the medication is responsible for causing hair loss. We know that extreme weight loss can potentially lead to hair loss. So, it could be that the weight loss caused by these medications is the culprit, rather than the GLP-1 medications themselves. More studies are clearly needed, but it is at least good to see that only a small percentage of people are potentially affected.
What Can You Do to Prevent Hair Loss if You Are Taking These Medications?
Firstly, bear in mind that you may not experience any hair loss at all. Secondly, there are several different types of hair loss, and the one associated with these weight loss drugs is known as telogen effluvium. This describes hair loss that occurs to hair in the resting phase of the process, known as the telogen phase. We do lose some hair in this phase, but it appears that these GLP-1 drugs may cause more hair to be lost.
So, while you may not notice any excess hair loss, there are some things you can do if you are going to start this medication, and you’d like to minimize the odds of being affected. The most important thing is to take advice from your healthcare provider while you’re on the medication. Taking the medication as advised is vital, regardless of why you’re using it. If you do experience any hair loss, bring this to the attention of your healthcare provider.
It's also good to make sure you stick to a healthy diet while on the medication. Steer clear of junk food and processed foods and opt for natural ingredients and plenty of fruits and vegetables. This will ensure that you can get a good range of vitamins and minerals, since these help with natural hair growth and may combat any hair loss you could experience while taking the medication.
It’s important to note that a significant drop in food intake – and therefore in calories – can cause the body to focus on the most important jobs it needs to do. Hair growth isn’t an important task in this sense, meaning there could naturally be more hair loss than you’d usually experience when your hair is in the telogen phase. Rapid weight loss can lead to the same outcome, so it’s important not to panic if you do notice you’re shedding more hair.
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 few months to notice a difference and for your hair to go back to how it was before, since new hairs will need to grow over time.
While hair loss may occur as a side effect of taking these medications, therefore, most people won’t be affected – and those that are may find it is a temporary condition. We’ll keep an eye on further studies that go into this topic.
If you are on a GLP-1 medication and see excessive hair shedding contact the team at Unique Hair Concepts for a complimentary, private, in-person hair and scalp analysis. Located in Ardsley, New York in Westchester County, just 25 minutes north of New York City, Unique Hair Concepts has been helping adults and children with hair loss and thinning hair for over 10 years.
