Hair Loss / Thinning Hair / Shedding ("Ozempic Hair")
Users on Reddit report a variety of experiences with hair loss, thinning, or shedding while on GLP-1 medications, often referred to as "Ozempic Hair. " Many are trying to determine if the hair loss is a direct side effect of the drug, a consequence of rapid weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, or hormonal changes.
Experiences with Hair Loss:
Hair loss can start relatively quickly after beginning the medication. "I started seeing noticeable hair loss less than a month after starting tirzepatide. This was before I had lost significant weight, and I am pretty sure I wasn't nutritionally deficient either. "[2] Another user said, "One injection and a week after the hairloss started. Shedding like crazy stopped using the medication after 4 month. Stopped 3 month ago and still shedding. It slowed down a bit but I still shedd more than I used too. "[5]
Some users attribute the hair loss to telogen effluvium (TE) triggered by weight loss or stress, but others suspect a hormonal cause. "My understanding is that tellegen effulvium doesn't begin until about 3 months after the trigger event (weight loss, stress, trauma etc. ) so I presumed it was the drug causing it and that the cause was hormonal, since the only other times I've had this much hair loss it was postpartum and after I had to stop HRT. "[2]
The American Hair Loss Association (AHLA) is reportedly studying the link, with one user mentioning, "The American Hair Loss Association (AHLA) have been doing studies showing that the hormonal shifts from GLP1 related drugs can trigger not only temporary TE but also early onset male and female patter hair loss, which in that case are permanent. "[10]
Some users find the hair loss stops or slows after a period, or after discontinuing the medication. "I used it for a year and had significant balding, it has reversed somewhat now that I have been off of it for months. "[12] Another user mentioned, "I’ll chime in with some positivity for being off the stuff because when I had lost most of my hair as a side effect I had to get off and it was only negative comments... You can keep it off and maintain!! And then get your hair back. "[16]
However, for some, the hair loss persists or doesn't fully reverse. "Yup this happened to me with mounjaro and ozempic. I went off ozempic for almost a year, the hair never grew back. And then I started it again, lost very little weight and I started shedding again and it didn't stop until I stopped the drug. "[11]
One user on Ozempic for diabetes reported, "I am also suffering from the extreme hair loss. I've been on the 0. 5 mg since April of this year and have lost 15% of my weight slowly. My hair is falling out in clumps. But.. I'm diabetic and it's greatly helped that, so I'm just dealing with the hair loss hoping it will slow down. "[17]
Another user shared, "I've lost 60 pounds since April, which is awesome, but my hair started falling out too... Everything I've seen says Ozempic has not been proven to cause hair loss and that it's probably due to losing a lot of weight quickly. "[18]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
Nutrafol: "I have not seen a doctor about the hair loss... I made sure I got at least 100 grams of protein a day and added B12, a multivitamin, biotin, collagen and Nutrafol. Happily, the loss has slowed considerably in the past couple of weeks. "[2] Another user said, "I’ve been taking nutrafol for 1 month and haven’t noticed much difference yet. "[3]
Minoxidil (Rogaine): Often mentioned, sometimes in combination with other treatments. "I saw a dermatologist for hair loss and they wrote a RX for 7% Minoxidil with Finasteride, Tretinoin, in a topical solution from a compound pharmacy. "[9] Another user started "tretinoin + minoxidil on my scalp. "[6]
Tretinoin: Used topically, often with minoxidil. "I usually rub the tretinoin in my hands first and then dab around/massage lightly into my scalp. Wait 20 minutes for the tretinoin to absorb and then I’ll add the minoxidil. "[8]
Clarifying/Tea Tree Shampoo: "began washing my hair with clarifying tea tree shampoo. "[6]
Dietary Adjustments:
Protein Intake: Ensuring adequate protein is a common recommendation. "My understanding is that tellegen effulvium doesn't begin until about 3 months after the trigger event... during which time I made sure I got at least 100 grams of protein a day. "[2] Another user whose mom experienced hair loss said, "her doctor said she wasn’t getting enough protein. My mom eats super healthy and adding more protein solved the problem. "[14] One user noted, "From what I researched protein, iron and b vitamins play a huge role in the triggers for hairloss so I just make damn sure I take those vitamins daily now and get my protein before eating anything else. "[13]
Iron and B Vitamins: "I really started a lot of things to lower my overall stress, upped my protein and started taking iron supplements again. I think that helped tremendously. I actually stopped the iron supplements and haven’t been as hungry so I wasn’t keeping up with my protein and the shedding started again. "[15]
Medical Consultation:
Seeing a dermatologist is recommended by some. "I saw a dermatologist for hair loss and they wrote a RX for 7% Minoxidil with Finasteride, Tretinoin, in a topical solution from a compound pharmacy. "[9]
Lifestyle Adjustments:
Stress Reduction: One user mentioned efforts to "lower my overall stress. "[15]
Stopping the Medication: For some, stopping the GLP-1 medication was the only way to halt or reverse hair loss. "Shedding like crazy stopped using the medication after 4 month. Stopped 3 month ago and still shedding. "[5] Another said, "I used it for a year and had significant balding, it has reversed somewhat now that I have been off of it for months. "[12]
It's important to note that experiences vary widely, and what works for one person may not work for another. Some users express frustration with the lack of definitive answers from doctors regarding GLP-1-induced hair loss.
Experiences with Hair Loss:
- Some users experience hair loss they believe is directly tied to the medication, even without rapid weight loss or nutritional deficiencies.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Supplements & Topical Treatments:
- Biotin and Collagen: "This started happening to me on Zepbound too so I began to supplement with biotin and collagen.
It's important to note that experiences vary widely, and what works for one person may not work for another. Some users express frustration with the lack of definitive answers from doctors regarding GLP-1-induced hair loss.