Published 7 months ago • loading... • Updated 7 months ago
Why some people lose their hair when they’re on GLP-1s
Hair loss linked to GLP-1 drugs is mainly due to rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies, with 2.5% of Wegovy users reporting this side effect in clinical trials.
Amid a surge of GLP-1 use, clinicians report rising hair-loss complaints, with about 8 adults currently taking these drugs, a 6% increase since May 2024.
Experts attribute most cases to telogen effluvium, with rapid weight loss from GLP-1s pushing hair follicles into shedding, typically appearing three to six months later, say Dr. Aron Nusbaum and Dr. Anthony Rossi.
Regulators and manufacturers list hair loss in safety data, with Wegovy trials showing 2.5% versus 1.0% placebo and Zepbound labeling reporting 7.1% female versus 0.5% male hair-loss rates.
Clinicians recommend medical evaluation for vitamin deficiencies and treatments including Minoxidil or dose adjustments, as Dr. Farah Moustafa notes side effects often lead patients to stop therapy.
Some specialists caution that dermatology experts warn about cosmetic GLP-1 use in med spas and pharmacies, while experts debate if these drugs trigger chronic telogen effluvium or early androgenetic alopecia.