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\n\t\tSome people find their hair sheds more when they start GLP-1 drugs (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tSome people find their hair sheds more when they start GLP-1 drugs (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
It turns out pounds aren\u2019t the only thing you might shed thanks to GLP-1 medications like Ozempic<\/a>, Mounjaro<\/a> or Wegovy.<\/p>\n Alongside volume depletion in the face<\/a>, bum<\/a>, and even vagina<\/a>, another unwelcome side effect of these jabs has just been confirmed by a new study: hair loss.<\/p>\n Across 50,000 patient records, scientists from the University of Pennsylvania looked at rates of alopecia among those prescribed semaglutide or tirzepatide compared with other diabetes<\/a> management drugs.<\/p>\n Despite adjusting for factors that could influence the results such as age and weight, GLP-1 inhibitors were associated with a 37% to 68% higher risk of hair loss.<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t a completely new issue; it\u2019s actually listed as \u2018common\u2019 on manufacturer patient information leaflets.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAsk Metro<\/p>\n Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about \u2013 powered by Metro and trusted publications.<\/p>\n So far this year, the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has also received close to 400 reports of hair loss relating to tirzepatide, with 148 linked to semaglutide.<\/p>\n \t\t Researchers, writing in the BMJ<\/a>, note that this physical response to weight loss drugs \u2014 dubbed \u2018Ozempic hair\u2019 \u2014 is fairly rare overall, and \u2018does not typically result in physical harm.\u2019<\/p>\n However, they warn it \u2018may have significant psychosocial consequences, affecting self-esteem, quality of life, and adherence to treatment\u2019.<\/p>\n As such, awareness of the potential for thinning hair or bald patches is vital to \u2018inform treatment decisions\u2019 of those considering GLP-1 jabs.<\/p>\n How do weight loss jabs cause hair loss?<\/p>\n According to experts, weight loss medication itself is unlikely to be the direct cause of this issue<\/p>\n \u2018Hair loss has been reported in around 3% of adults taking Wegovy during licensing trials, although the likelihood appears to increase in people who experience more substantial weight loss,\u2019 Dr Abdulaziz Balwi, lead hair surgeon at Elithair<\/a> tells Metro. <\/p>\n \u2018Importantly, this side effect is not thought to be caused by the medication itself, but rather by the rapid weight loss it can trigger, which may lead to a condition known as telogen effluvium.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tHow would the potential for hair loss impact your decision to take weight loss medication?<\/p>\n It would concern me and influence my decision.Check<\/p>\n I would consider it manageable with other treatments.Check<\/p>\n I think it’s not significant compared to other health benefits.Check<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSign up to Metro’s The Slice newsletter for your guide to what’s on in London, with trusted reviews, offers and giveaways.<\/p>\n Whereas only 15% of the scalp hair is in the shedding phase normally, in someone with telogen effluvium \u2014 rapid hair loss typically caused by stress or a change to your body \u2014 it increases to 30% or more.<\/p>\n Dr Balwi says hair shedding usually starts \u2018around two to four months after starting treatment or following an increase in dosage\u2019 of GLP-1 drugs.<\/p>\n Common signs include noticeably more hair on your pillow, in your hairbrush or shower drain, along with diffuse thinning across the scalp rather than distinct bald patches. Women often first notice their ponytail becoming thinner or their parting appearing wider.<\/p>\n \t\t The good news is, for most people, \u2018Ozempic hair\u2019 isn\u2019t a permanent thing.<\/p>\n Dr Babak Ashrafi of Superdrug Online Doctor says: \u2018In most cases, it is temporary, and hair growth typically resumes once weight stabilises and nutritional intake is balanced.\u2019<\/p>\n And even if hair loss is more severe or doesn\u2019t improve naturally within six to 12 months, there are now a range of specialist treatments available to help.<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019m seeing more patients experiencing sudden hair shedding after starting weight loss injections,\u2019 says DrMediSpa<\/a> founder Dr Munir Somji.<\/p>\n \u2018I tend to recommend a combination of Croma PRP and PolyPhil Polynucleotides. Together, these nourish the scalp, stimulate dormant follicles, and reboot the hair growth cycle.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tHow to avoid ‘Ozempic hair’\t\t\t<\/p>\n While there\u2019s no guaranteed way to prevent hair shedding during weight loss, reducing the body\u2019s nutritional and metabolic stress can help lower the risk.<\/p>\n Dr Balwi recommends:<\/p>\n Being gentle with your hair by limiting heat styling, avoiding tight hairstyles and using a soft brush to minimise breakage. Do you have a story you\u2019d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-2288153298-d010.jpg\")
\n\t\tScientists have now confirmed the link (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-1464349248-5615.jpg\")
\n\t\tIt\u2019s often down to a condition called telogen effluvium (Picture: Getty Images)
\nIs it permanent and can it be treated?<\/p>\n
\nAiming for around 1.2 to 1.6g of protein per kilogram of body weight each day, spread across meals. Protein shakes can also be handy if your appetite is lower.
\nHaving iron levels checked before starting treatment and every three to six months afterwards, as iron deficiency can contribute to hair loss.
\nOnly taking supplements such as zinc, vitamin D or vitamin B12 if a deficiency has been confirmed, \u2018not on a hunch.\u2019
\nFollowing the recommended 16-week dose escalation schedule rather than increasing doses too quickly, with a gradual weight loss of around 0.5kg to 1kg per week where possible.<\/p>\n
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