Wegovy and hair loss

Yes, Wegovy does cause hair loss, but it’s not caused by the medication itself, as semaglutide does not damage the hair follicles or hair. The effects of Wegovy are what can cause hair loss, such as:

Rapid weight loss

Wegovy can help you lose weight much more quickly than exercising and dieting alone. For example, the 7.2mg highest dose causes an average weight loss of 21% within 72 weeks, compared to just 2.4% when using a placebo. In the first 4 weeks, it can help you lose around 2% or more of your body weight.

When you lose weight quickly, you may get temporary hair loss, known as telogen effluvium (TE). This causes your hair to fall out rapidly and can be triggered by:

• the stress on your body that weight loss can cause, including the weight loss itself, exercising more, and eating less
• nutritional deficiencies or lack of essential nutrients

Telogen effluvium

Usually, your hair grows in cycles called anagen (the growth phase) and telogen (the shedding phase). In a normal hair cycle, around 85% of your hair follicles are in the anagen phase, while the other 15% are in the telogen phase. The telogen phase causes the hair follicle to rest for 2 to 4 months, which stops the hair from growing. After 2 to 4 months, a new hair grows and pushes out the old strand of hair.

If you have TE, instead of only 15% of your hair follicles being in the telogen (rest and shed) phase, 30% or more move to this phase. This can happen very suddenly, but it does not always happen straight away. You may get TE up to 3 months after the initial trigger, in this case, rapid weight loss. Women and older people are also more likely to get TE.

A change in diet

When you take Wegovy for weight loss, it’s important to change your diet to include lots of healthy, nutritious food and less unhealthy, processed food. It’s also recommended to follow a calorie deficit of around 600 calories less than the standard UK guidelines of 2,500 for men and 2,000 for women.

However, Wegovy also reduces your appetite and makes you feel fuller. Because of this, you may be eating fewer calories than you think, and it can be harder to get the right nutrients in your diet when you’re eating less. Nutrients that have a big impact on hair health and growth include:

• protein
• zinc
• iron
• certain B vitamins, such as B2 (riboflavin) and B7 (biotin)
• vitamins A, C, D, and E
• selenium

Stress and hormonal changes

Losing weight can be stressful for the mind and the body, even if it’s doing good. Stress is a common cause of hair loss, and it can cause TE, as well as another hair loss condition called stress-induced alopecia. Some causes of stress-induced hair loss include:

• rapid weight loss, which may cause your body to go into ‘stress mode’, even if mentally and emotionally you are doing well
• a change in diet and exercise
• mental and emotional stress, either from your weight loss journey or other things going on in your life

Making big lifestyle changes can be difficult, and it can take some time to get used to them. It’s normal to feel stressed at some point during a weight loss journey, for instance, if you are struggling to not go back to old eating habits, or you’re finding exercising more difficult. Cortisol, the stress hormone, has been proven to have a negative effect on the hair follicles' ability to produce new, healthy hair.

Hair shedding can happen during weight loss because of:

• a rapid change in weight
• a change in diet and hunger levels that can cause a lack of essential nutrients

These things can cause the body to go into ‘stress’ mode, even if you do not feel physically stressed. It’s basically the body’s way of protecting itself because it’s losing weight and getting fewer calories, but this can also cause temporary hair shedding called telogen effluvium.

When does hair loss typically begin after starting Wegovy?

Hair loss on Wegovy can happen at any time, though it may be more likely after the first few months. Telogen effluvium can be triggered when you lose a rapid amount of weight or if you’re not getting enough nutrition, but you will not know straight away that you have it. The hair follicles will go into a rest phase, which can last around 2 to 4 months, meaning most people notice it around 3 months after the trigger.

How long does the hair shedding phase last when on Wegovy?

If you have telogen effluvium, the most common cause of temporary hair loss on Wegovy, the hair shedding phase can last around 6 months. After this, the hair should start growing back, but it can take some time for it to look the same way it did before. In some cases, you can get TE more than once, or it can last longer than 6 months.

Is hair loss on Wegovy permanent?

No. Hair loss on Wegovy should not be permanent. Telogen effluvium is a temporary condition, though in some people it can be chronic, which means it comes back. If your hair does not seem to be growing back properly within 6 months of shedding, speak to your doctor. There may be an underlying cause, such as nutritional deficiencies.

How soon does hair begin to grow back after stopping taking Wegovy?

Stopping Wegovy will not make your hair grow back sooner. A rapid change in weight, diet changes and potential lack of nutrients, or stress, are what cause hair loss on Wegovy. Telogen effluvium lasts around 6 months, whether or not you stop taking Wegovy, as it’s not the medication itself causing hair loss.

Here we look at some ways you can reduce the chances of getting hair loss on Wegovy.

Focus on slow, steady weight loss

It’s been proven that people who lose more weight are at a higher risk of getting hair loss on Wegovy. In studies, in the group that lost 20% or more of their body weight, 5.3% of people reported hair loss. In the group that lost less than 20% of their weight, only 2.5% reported this side effect.

So, one of the best ways to stop hair loss on Wegovy is focusing on slow, consistent weight loss rather than rapid weight loss. The NHS recommends losing weight at a rate of 0.5 to 1kg, or around 1 to 2 pounds (lbs), per week. As Wegovy can reduce your appetite, it may be tempting to skip meals or eat less than your calorie deficit, but this is more likely to cause you to lose weight too quickly.

To keep your weight loss slow and steady, try:

• reducing your calories slowly, rather than all at once, to reach your calorie deficit over several weeks – this is especially important if you were previously eating over your recommended calories for the day, as a big drop in calories is much more likely to cause rapid weight loss
• increasing your exercise levels slowly – if you were not exercising much before starting Wegovy, focus on increasing your movement each week by 5 to 10 minutes, rather than going all in exercising daily, which is more likely to cause stress on your body too
• avoid being overly restrictive – very restrictive diets or obsessive exercise can cause rapid weight loss, but are not sustainable and are more likely to cause hair loss, stress, and nutritional deficiencies
• plan and prepare your meals – this way you’re more likely to stick to a healthy diet with enough calories, rather than skipping meals, especially if you do not feel hungry

Eat well

It’s important, especially when you’re eating less, to make sure every meal contains all the essential food groups, vitamins, and minerals your body needs to not only be healthy, but to take care of your hair. You can also take supplements while using Wegovy to help make sure you do not become nutrient-deficient.

It can be helpful to follow a Wegovy diet plan, so that you can manage your meals in advance and are less likely to eat foods that have little nutritional benefit. Here is an example of some foods you should include in your diet, and some you should limit or avoid:

Manage your stress levels

Stress is another cause of hair loss, and it can also make hair loss worse. Plus, making changes to your lifestyle can also feel stressful, especially when you’re working to improve food habits like snacking and cutting down on food groups and also managing daily life. This can feel even harder if people around you are not following the same diet, such as family and friends.

If you’re struggling with stress during your weight loss journey, you can try:

• practising mindfulness habits, including meditation, breathing techniques, or journaling
• seeking support from friends and family – make sure to speak to someone if you’re struggling, and ask people to do weight-loss-friendly activities with you, such as going for walks, exercise classes, making healthy meals at home, or eating out at healthy food places
• exercising and finding workouts that you enjoy – exercise can really improve stress levels and make you feel good, but it’s important that you find things you enjoy, as this can make it easier to stick to
• being kinder to yourself – weight loss is a process, it’s normal to have ups and downs, and having a lapse in your exercise or diet plan is okay
• doing activities that you love – this can take your mind off things, whether it’s reading, watching your favourite TV show, or going out for a coffee with friends
• getting enough sleep – if you’re not sleeping enough, this can cause mental and physical stress to your body, so make sure you’re focusing on 7 to 9 hours a night
• speaking to a professional – whether it’s weight loss or other things in your life causing stress, therapy can be a big help in getting to the bottom of things, creating healthier ways of thinking, and improving how you manage stress in the future

"See a doctor if your hair loss:

• is severe
• is patchy – this may not be telogen effluvium
• lasts longer than 6 months

Telogen effluvium is common with rapid weight loss and usually resolves on its own. However, you need to speak to a doctor if you have other symptoms, such as extreme tiredness, dizziness, or scalp pain, or if you have any symptoms of a nutritional deficiency." – Dr Kathryn Basford, Online Doctor.

You can also speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you want practical advice on improving your symptoms, or would like to try a hair loss treatment to help increase the growth of your hair. This may include a topical treatment like Regaine or minoxidil. You can also try supplements if you do not think you’re getting enough nutrition in your diet.

Is the risk of hair loss the same for both Wegovy and Mounjaro?

Yes, hair loss is a common side effect for both Wegovy and Mounjaro. Wegovy hair loss happens in 2.5 to 5.3% of people, while Mounjaro hair loss was reported in 4.9 to 5.7%.

Can I take supplements to prevent hair loss on Wegovy?

You can take supplements to help prevent hair loss on Wegovy, but supplements alone cannot stop hair loss, unless you have a nutritional deficiency. Most of the time, hair loss on Wegovy is caused by a large, sudden drop in weight. Supplements can be beneficial, especially if you’re struggling to get the right amount of nutrition in your diet, but they should be an add-on to other strategies, such as focusing on slow, steady weight loss and eating well.

Is hair loss more common at higher doses?

Yes, higher doses of Wegovy, such as the highest dose of 7.2mg, are more likely to cause hair loss. This is because higher doses cause the most weight loss, which is linked to a higher chance of hair loss.

Is it better to lose weight slower to save my hair?

Yes, rapid weight loss is what increases the chance of hair loss, so it’s best to focus on losing weight more slowly to reduce this chance. A healthy weight loss is 0.5 to 1kg a week.

Can I use topical treatments like minoxidil?

Yes, if you get hair loss on Wegovy, topical treatments like minoxidil can be used to improve the regrowth of your hair. However, telogen effluvium does go away on its own, usually in around 6 months. Minoxidil may help your hair grow back slightly faster and thicker once it enters the anagen phase (growth phase).