It seems like almost everyone I talk to these days either attends Ozempic or knows someone who does. A good portion of these people talk about this drug as if it’s some kind of magic bullet that will help them lose weight when other drugs don’t seem to help them lose weight.
Ozempic is actually one of the brand names for a drug called semaglutide, which is approved by the FDA to help manage insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Another version of the drug, called Wegovy, has a higher maximum dose (2.4 mg versus 2 mg for Ozempic) and is indicated for weight management (although some doctors prescribe Ozempic off-label for this purpose). ). The drug’s effects on weight have become a hot topic, and too many celebrities have admitted to using it, leading to continued drug shortages.
Now, talk of side effects (nausea, constipation, a strange phenomenon known as the “Ozempic face”) is at its peak, and hair loss appears to be part of the discussion.
Last week, Claudia Oshry, a popular unemployed influencer (with 3 million followers and counting), shared on her IG Story that Ozempic caused her hair to fall out. And she is just one voice in a growing chorus of people who say they are experiencing these effects. .
Meet the experts: Dr. Anthony Rossi is the founder of Rossi Derm, MD and an assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Amy Freeman is a New Jersey-based dermatologist at Milburn Laser Center and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford is an obesity physician and associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
This topic is not limited to social media. Dermatologists who treat hair loss report seeing the phenomenon in their clinics as well.
“I have patients who take semaglutide, and some have noticed that their hair has become thinner, more brittle, and has changed texture while on the drug,” says Weill Cornell. says Dr. Anthony Rossi, assistant professor of dermatology at the School of Medicine.
But what exactly is behind this shedding? To find out, I spoke to Dr. Rossi and other leading experts.
Here’s what they say and how to stop hair loss if it’s happening. Read on for some pretty reassuring advice.
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Does Ozempic cause hair loss?
It’s possible, but the drug probably isn’t the direct cause. The cause of hair loss is likely to be weight loss itself.
“There is a type of stress-induced hair loss called telogen effluvium, which can be caused by any physical stressor, including pregnancy, surgery, emotional stress, rapid weight loss, etc.” says dermatologist Dr. Amy Freeman. of Milburn Laser Center, a member of the American Academy of Dermatology. “This is more of an association than a cause-and-effect relationship. It’s not the medication that causes hair loss; it’s the associated weight loss.”
However, it’s important to note that despite online chatter, research on semaglutide suggests that its effects are fairly rare. Using Wegovy as an example, in these clinical trials, only 3 percent of adults reported hair loss as a side effect, compared to 1 percent with a placebo (no side effects were reported with the indicated use of Ozempic). did). And in a study conducted on another popular weight loss drug called terzepatide (also known as Munjaro), 5.7 percent of patients reported experiencing hair loss, compared to less than 1 percent with a placebo. Yes, that’s a possibility, but it’s not a probability I’d bet on.
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How does Ozempic cause hair loss?
As previously reported in Women’s Health, semaglutide injections work with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which plays a role in suppressing appetite, slowing digestion, and influencing the amount of fat stored in the body. It mimics the effects of hormones called Translation: If you are using semaglutide, it is very likely that you will eat significantly less food.
“If you look at the data, the average patient loses 15 percent of their total body weight,” says Fatima Cody Stanford, a bariatric physician and associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. the doctor says. “But even those with high response rates will suffer losses of up to 35 percent.”
Also, if you are eating significantly less, you may not have the ideal nutritional balance, which can lead to telogen effluvium, especially if you have reduced protein intake or zinc deficiency. research shows.
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“Hair is a dividing cell and requires proper nutrition to grow,” says Dr. Rossi. “So when you’re malnourished, your body tries to divert nutrients away from hair growth in order to perform other, more important functions. In a way, your hair loses control over this process. An innocent bystander.”
Telogen effluvium is typically characterized by rapid shedding that occurs approximately three months after the provoking event.
“Hair goes through different growth cycles. There are active growth cycles called anagen and resting phases called telogen,” says Dr. Freeman. “When there’s rapid weight loss or nutritional deficiencies, the body thinks it’s under stress or duress, shuts down, and pushes all the hair follicles into telogen at the same time. That’s what causes exaggerated molting. cause a phenomenon.”
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Will my hair grow back if I stop taking Ozempic?
Good news: Yes, it’s very likely. Most telogen hair loss is temporary, says Dr. Rossi and Freeman say. Although there is a chronic form of this condition, characterized by hair that remains in the telogen phase for long periods of time, hair loss associated with weight loss is usually a sign of acute telogen effluvium.
Similarly, if you continue taking semaglutide and your weight stabilizes, your hair loss should do the same, Dr. Rossi says. So take a deep breath and rejuvenate yourself. It will definitely come back. That being said, it may take a while, even months, to complete, so it’s a good idea to get a little help in the meantime.
What to do if hair loss occurs with Ozempic
Hair loss is a complex problem, and while there are effective solutions, they take time and consistency. The solutions presented here are solid suggestions for different types of hair loss, including telogen effluvium.
Topical Minoxidil: This is the only FDA-approved topical treatment for hair loss and is available in 2 percent and 5 percent concentrations for women. “Minoxidil pushes the hair into the anagen, or anagen, phase of the cycle,” says Dr. Rossi. “Rather than curing telogen effluvium, it stimulates the hair growth cycle and allows new hair to grow.”Oral minoxidil is a more aggressive option and is available by prescription However, please consult your doctor. Proper nutrition: “Many patients who are highly responsive to these drugs simply consume much less of everything, including what they need,” says Dr. Stanford. She monitors her patients’ vitamin D and vitamin B12 levels especially closely (your doctor should be doing the same). If you choose to continue taking semaglutide, Dr. Freeman recommends, “Work closely with your dietitian to ensure you are getting enough protein. This is one way to manage hair loss.” Masu. “You also need to make sure you’re getting enough iron and zinc, as deficiencies in these nutrients are also linked to hair loss.” Related article supplement: “Especially if you’re deficient in fatty acids. , Dr. Stanford says that in this case, he often recommends multivitamins to responsive patients who are at risk for overall nutritional deficiencies, based on strong data supporting their effectiveness. , also recommends trying Nutrafol, a supplement specifically designed to combat hair loss. But while this is important, it’s always best to choose before starting a supplement regimen. Talk to your doctor. Some studies suggest that overconsumption of certain nutrients can cause hair loss, so don’t treat dandruff or antifungal shampoos alone. You may not be suffering from dandruff, but if you are looking for a solution to hair loss, choose a shampoo with ketoconazole, which is commonly used to treat these conditions. “Ketoconazole reduces levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can shrink hair follicles and shorten hair growth cycles. “It’s possible,” says Dr. Rossi. Platelet-rich plasma injections: If hair loss persists, ask your dermatologist about platelet injections. -Rich plasma (PRP), suggests Dr. Rossi. This treatment involves injecting the patient’s own blood cells into the scalp to stimulate new hair growth. “There are now multiple studies showing that PRP is a promising treatment for chronic telogen effluvium,” says Dr. Rossi.
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Conclusion: Do I need to worry about hair loss when taking Ozempic?
It is certainly possible for hair loss to occur due to rapid weight loss, and rapid weight loss to occur with the use of Ozempic and similar drugs. However, data shows that such cases are rare, and hair loss is much more likely after, for example, bariatric surgery or a diagnosed eating disorder. (According to one study, 57% of patients who undergo weight loss surgery experience hair loss.)
Dr. Stanford said: “There’s nothing to worry about, per se, but be careful and always keep track of how much protein, carbohydrates and fat you’re eating. We still need them,” she says. says. . “And we hope to work with a skilled physician who can create a basic metabolic profile to determine how you are before and after you start taking the medication.”
If you notice hair loss while taking semaglutide, there are many effective treatments available to your doctor, many of which are inexpensive. But perhaps the most encouraging news is that this form of hair loss tends to be very temporary. Sure, it can be traumatic to see clumps of hair in your sink or hairbrush, but we hope you can take some comfort in knowing that this too will pass.
Brian Underwood is the Beauty Director at Women’s Health. He is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years of experience covering beauty and lifestyle for multiple national media outlets and previously served as Director of Beauty and Wellness at Oprah Daily. His work has appeared in Woman’s Day, Life & Style Weekly, Good Housekeeping, and more. He also serves on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Celebration Committee and lives in New York City with his daughter.
