Does Wegovy Cause Hair Loss?

We all want to look and feel our best – and our hair plays a big role in that. So, it can be distressing if you’ve noticed your hair is falling out while using Wegovy. And you might be wondering if the medication is causing it.

“Hair loss isn’t something to worry about for most of our patients, but it can happen,” Abdal Alvi, Simple Online Pharmacy’s Chief Clinical Officer, says.

So why do some patients experience hair loss on the treatment? Does Wegovy cause hair loss? Or is something else at play?

Here, we break down what current evidence shows, why some people may notice shedding as a side effect of Wegovy and how to support hair health on your weight loss journey.

Wegovy and Hair Loss: Does the Medication Cause It?

Wegovy weight loss injections can cause hair loss. It’s listed as a common side effect of Wegovy on the Patient Information Leaflet. However, Wegovy may not directly cause hair loss.

We don’t have clear evidence on what causes hair loss on Wegovy. However, in clinical trials, hair loss was more common in patients who experienced greater weight loss (≥20%). This suggests it may be caused by rapid weight loss, rather than by the medication itself.

Rapid weight loss can temporarily disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to a condition known as telogen effluvium.

Telogen effluvium occurs when your body experiences significant changes in weight, nutrition, or stress levels. This can shift hair follicles into a resting phase in the hair growth cycle. This causes more strands to shed than usual, leading to hair loss.

Not everyone who uses Wegovy will experience hair loss. If you do, it’s usually temporary and should return to normal in time and with a few lifestyle adjustments.

Why Does Hair Shedding Happen on Wegovy?

While we don’t know exactly what causes hair loss on Wegovy, it may be due to changes in the body caused by weight loss, rather the medication itself.

If you lose weight quickly or significantly reduce your calorie intake, the body prioritises essential functions (like breathing) over hair growth. This can lead to increased shedding a few months after you start to lose weight.

Nutrient gaps, reduced protein intake, stress, and hormonal shifts can all contribute to hair loss as well.

While this shedding can be unsettling, it’s usually temporary. It should resolve once your body adapts and you’ve restored nutritional balance.

When Does Hair Loss Start – and When Will It Stop?

Most people notice increased shedding around three months after their weight loss begins. This is how long it takes for hair follicles to shift into the resting phase. This shedding period can last several weeks to a few months, depending on factors like nutrition, stress, and overall health.

The good news is that this type of hair loss is usually temporary. “A person’s hair does tend to grow back and does tend to improve once a person’s weight stabilises and once a person’s nutrition is back on track,” Abdal says.

Once your body has adjusted to the weight changes and you’ve addressed nutritional gaps, hair regrowth should return to normal within three to six months.

How to Stop Hair Loss from Wegovy

Managing hair shedding on Wegovy starts with supporting your body through the changes that come with weight loss. This is because shedding is often triggered by nutrient gaps and metabolic stress.

“It’s really important to make sure you’re eating enough and what you are eating is well balanced as well,” Abdal says. “And if you’re skipping meals or you’re eating very little, not only is it going to affect your hair, but also your skin and it might make you feel more tired.”

Here are some tips to manage and prevent hair loss:

Focus on balanced nutrition on your weight management journey. Make sure you’re getting enough protein, iron, zinc, biotin, and vitamin D.
Eat regular meals and avoid overly aggressive calorie cuts to help protect the hair growth cycle.
Add a multivitamin or targeted supplement if recommended by a healthcare provider.
Manage stress and maintain good sleep habits.
Stay well hydrated. Aim for 6-8 cups of water every day.
Gentle hair care, like avoiding excessive heat, tight hairstyles, and harsh treatments, can also reduce breakage.

If you’re losing a lot of hair or it continues for a long time, consult a pharmacist or clinician. They can help rule out underlying deficiencies, discuss treatments or make adjustments to your weight loss plan.

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What to Do if Hair Loss Persists

If hair shedding continues for several months despite good nutrition and steady weight loss, talk to a healthcare professional.

Persistent shedding could indicate other deficiencies or hormonal imbalances such as a thyroid imbalance or anaemia. These can mimic or worsen telogen effluvium. Your GP can help identify the root cause and advise on next steps and treatment.

Report your hair loss to your provider too. If you’re losing weight too rapidly and experiencing hair loss, they can adjust your dose and provide further guidance.

Review your calorie intake, protein levels, and how fast you’re losing weight. This can help ensure you’re not placing unnecessary stress on your system.

Key Takeaways

Hair loss on Wegovy may be related to rapid weight loss: We don’t know the exact cause, but trial data suggests hair loss is reported more often with greater weight loss (≥20%). So it may be linked to weight loss and lifestyle changes rather than a direct effect of the medication.
Rapid weight loss can trigger temporary shedding: Fast changes in body weight, reduced calorie intake and nutrient deficiencies can cause telogen effluvium. This is where more hairs than usual enter the shedding phase.
Shedding usually improves once your body adapts: Hair loss often starts 2-3 months after weight loss begins. It tends to settle over 3-6 months as weight and nutrition stabilises and you should see hair regrowth return to normal.
How to prevent hair loss on Wegovy: Eat regular, balanced meals with enough protein, iron, zinc, biotin and vitamin D to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Good sleep and hydration support healthy hair growth. Take steps to manage stress.
Ongoing shedding needs checking by a professional: If hair loss continues for several months, a pharmacist, GP or clinician can investigate nutritional deficiencies, thyroid issues or other causes and plan treatment.

References

Cleveland Clinic. “Telogen Effluvium: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Regrowth.” Cleveland Clinic, 1 Dec. 2022: my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24486-telogen-effluvium.

Kang, Da-Hyun, et al. “Telogen Effluvium Associated with Weight Loss: A Single Center Retrospective Study.” Annals of Dermatology, vol. 36, no. 6, 1 Jan. 2024, pp. 384–384: https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.24.043.

UK, Alopecia. “Telogen Effluvium.” Alopecia UK, 24 July 2020: www.alopecia.org.uk/telogen-effluvium.

Bad.org.uk. (2020). Telogen effluvium. [online] Available at: http s://www.bad.org.uk/pils/telogen-effluvium.

Medicines.org.uk. (2024). Wegovy 0.25 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen – Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) – (emc). [online] Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13799/pil.

ANNEX I SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/wegovy-epar-product-information_en.pdf.

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