Rapid weight loss is associated with hair loss. But some old studies also pointed out that Ozempic, Wegovy also cause hair loss. Although there’s no direct link between Ozempic, Wegovy and hair loss, it may be its side effect. Recent researches show that stress of rapid weight loss due to use of Ozempic, Wegovy, leads to temporary shedding of hair. When hair shedding continues for several months, it causes a condition, known as telogen effluvium.
This matter has become the hot topic of discussion nowadays as some individuals taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy have reported rapid hair loss. They also linked it with the possible side effects of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss.
However, the main cause of hair loss due to the use of GLP-1 drugs is still not explained by the searchers but according to expert studies it may be due to the side effects of medications used for weight loss rapidly. No doubt this type of air loss is not permanent and you can avail many treatment options to regrowth your hair. GLP-1 drugs are a familiar source of weight loss according to your desire but in modern research , it is observed that people are also losing their hair with the excess pounds after using these drugs.
Although, hair loss is not an officially recorded or researched slide effect of GLP-1 drugs but research has shown that certain types of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity can cause a rapid hair loss along with decrease in weight. Several studies have supported these findings. Many board certified dermatologists and hair health experts agree to the point that this may be an ordinary side effect of GLP-1 drugs.
Whenever you want to consider Ozempic, Wegovy for weight loss purposes, you must talk about your hair loss concerns with your dermatologist. However, there’s still a group of researchers who do not agree with the phenomenon. They still believe that hair loss is not directly associated with drugs, but it is linked with weight loss. They also suggest that hair loss or any other side effects are not surely unique to use of GLP-1 drugs, but it is some kind of stress exerted on your body. The stress may be physical such as surgery or emotional life, a lifestyle change or a sudden trauma or anything that usually contributes to the hormonal disturbance in your body. The hair shedding due to any type of stress is known as telogen effluvium. Though this type of hair loss is temporary, regrowth of hair is a time taking procedure. From diet to lifestyle changes there’s a vast range of treatment options that you can avail for the growth of hair. Taking medications and prescription supplements can also help you in this regard.
Actual Causes of Sudden Rapid Hair Loss
The most common type of rapid and sudden hair loss usually results after a shock, attack of stress or panic attack. This is telogen effluvium which is triggered by:
- Menopause.
- Child birth.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
More influential causes include abrupt weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and endocrine disorders. Weight loss after using GLP-1 drugs may be the great stressors for your body that can cause hair loss. Because ongoing weight loss often slows down your body’s ability to stop the hair loss procedure. Sometimes, the hair shedding continues throughout the weight loss journey. So this type of hair loss is directly linked with weight loss procedures, not the use of GLP-1 drugs. Shedding of hair starts after the GLP-1 shows its results in the form of weight loss but sometimes the hair shedding comes into notice several months after weight loss procedure. This is also a reality that it takes several months to regrow the hair after beginning the treatment. The main thing is to identify the stressors that causes hair loss. As soon as the stressors has been addressed the regrowth of hair starts. At the start of the treatment procedure, the doctor comforts you by saying it is a temporary procedure that may get better with the passage of time.
Different Forms of Hair Loss vs. GLP-1 Hair Loss
Sudan hair loss usually has different features than other forms of hair loss. How? Let’s have a close look!
Androgenic Alopecia: This hair loss condition affects males more than females. This also causes hair loss in females who are close to their menopause stage. The main factors that trigger this condition are hormonal changers, age and genetics. Its two firms are identified as male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness.
Alopecia Areata: When your immune system starts attacking on your own hair, the condition known as alopecia areata.
Toxina Capitis: This type of hair loss is caused by a fungal infection like ringworm of the scalp. Small bald patches appear that may be itchy and scaly.
The commission observation of onset belonged to telogen effluvium in which you observe the shedding of hair from all sides.
What to Do on the Onset of Hair Shedding?
Onset of hair shedding is often overlooked but when shedding gets rapid, you should look for the inventory of your personal history. It may be an illness, a stressors, medication or any other body changing life event in the last 120 to 150 days.
In addition, keep an eye on your lifestyle factors and diet as both have serious effects on your hair health. Paying attention to what you’re doing during your routine lifestyle and what you’re eating can help you identify the stressors on an immediate basis.
In most of cases, people pay attention to GLP-1 drugs because taking GLP-1 drugs don’t allow you to eat much. Therefore, when you use GLP-1 drugs for weight loss you eat less that directly affects your diet quality and quantity leading to nutritional deficiencies.
Possible nutritional deficits have been recognized as iron deficiency and lack of certain vitamins. These deficiencies are directly linked with hair loss. The most common of all is deficiency of vitamin D and zinc.
Moreover, protein deficiency also causes hair loss. So taking enough protein foods while consuming GLP-1 drugs can help you slow down the hair fall procedure. However, the most effective way to mitigate hair loss while maintaining the benefits of GLP-1 drugs is to slow down the rate of weight loss.
Is Taking Supplements Effective to Treat GLP-1 related Hair Loss?
Research is still failing to provide robust scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of certain supplements for slowing down the hair loss due to GLP-1 drugs. However, there are some supplements that are prescribed anecdotally to get rid of hair loss. Clinical studies about several supplements have provided you with data about the most effective supplements. Nutrafol is one of them. Wellbell and Viviscal are also important for this purpose. However, no nutritional supplement has been approved from food and drug authorities that can be considered suitable for stopping hair loss. So it is wise to not waste money on purchasing such supplements.
In addition, some over-the-counter supplements that can aid the growth of hair. They directly impact your nutritional deficiencies like vitamin C and iron. Moreover they are also not very expensive so do not disturb your budget.
Serums and Shampoos for Hair Loss
Studies show that some shampoos also support the prevention of hair loss especially when you are taking GLP-1 drugs. Experts also recommend palatelet-derived serums. However, some researchers are still not in agreement on the effectiveness of serums and shampoos for hair loss as other supplements.
However, you can talk to your doctor before using any serum to prevent hair loss because they can help you choose the most effective serum that can support your hair and scalp health. Such serums sometimes also can help in hair regrowth.
Certain types of shampoos also help in preventing excess hair loss that occurs due to use of Ozempic or Wegovy for rapid weight loss. Sometimes shampoos contain such chemicals which can harm your scalp and hair health. You should avoid their use and prefer the shampoos which are rich in a special ingredient known as ketoconazole. This substance helps protect your scalp from some some underlying predisposition like androgenetic alopecia. Strides also suggest that using medicated shampoos or serums like ketoconazole shampoo which are rich in biotin and peptides can help volumize, strengthen and support your hair health. They also support the regrowth of hair.
Red-Light Therapy and PRP for Hair Regrowth
Red light therapy is a modern technology that has been considered by the hair experts for hair regrowth. However, it may harm your skin if used in higher intensity. So it is recommended to perform it at home using a specialized helmet or hat.
PRP injection is another reliable way to regrow new hair at any age. In this technology, two colors of laser light i.e orange and red are used to achieve a synergistic effect with oral anti-androgens and supplements. PLP is the abbreviation of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), which is used to regrow hair after a great hair loss. This technique uses your blood plasma to isolate plasma and then concentrate it. Afterwards it is injected into your body. This substance helps hair growth and healing. This procedure actually activates your hair follicles and as a result the hair regrowth process speeds up.
Although there are no valid proofs that can prove the beneficial effects of PRP treatment for hair loss, studies still claim that it is an effective treatment strategy for androgenic alopecia.
Effects of Minoxidil on GLP-1 related Hair Loss
The Food and Health department has approved the use of minixidil for the treatment of hair loss caused by rapid weight loss due to use of Ozempic, Wegovy, leads to temporary shedding of hair. GLP-1 drugs actually help weight loss but indirectly affect the hair health and leads to great hair loss. These medications help enhance anti-androgenic, anti-inflammatory and vasodilating effects. You can take them as oral pills or as a topical liquid. Some manufacturer companies have also formed a foamic version of these medications. However, the most effective source is low-dose of oral minoxidil.
Some studies do not support the idea that minoxidil is effective for resetting the shedding of telogen effluvium. But after correlating with new weight loss medications it can help overall hair growth.
How Long Does it Take for Hair to Grow Back?
When you take GLP-1 drugs continuously for weight loss, your hair regrowth takes much time. Experts say that stability in weight loss directly affects hair loss. Hair regrowth also stabilized with the stability of weight loss. But these changes appear after some time. If the hair loss belongs to telogen effluvium hair loss, your body can reset itself. Once your body gets stability, you will start resetting the shedding cycle. But the procedure can last within one to one and a half years. Therefore, consulting a board-certified dermatologist about GLP-1-related hair loss is a good step. In most cases the dermatologist just guides you to wait because regrowth of hair after a GLP-1-related hair loss is a time taking procedure. However, sudden hair loss is a concerning matter. Sudden hair loss is often taken as a side effect. In case of sudden hair loss, ask your dermatologist and prescribing physician about the cause. They not only help diagnose the real cause but also guide you how to prevent this hair loss. Remember, never make any changes to your medications without consulting a doctor.
Conclusion
Stress, hormonal changes, and certain medications especially which are used for rapid weight loss like Ozempic or Wegovy cause excessive shedding of hair. Certain metabolic activities play a role in abrupt hair loss especially when you’re taking GLP-1 drugs for quick weight loss. This means extreme weight loss leads to hair loss that is a concerning matter. The condition is also known as Telogen effluvium.
Excessive and constant use of weight loss medications disturbs your hair growth cycle leading to hair shedding. In this situation, your hair stops growing and eventually tends to shed. Studies show that in stress conditions, your body loses its ability to produce hair follicles. This causes a shedding phase, for example shedding around 300 hairs a day instead of average number i.e. 100 per day is a noticeable hair loss. This high speed hair loss often stays 3 to 4 months after a rapid weight loss.
However, the condition can be controlled and prevented by some simple methods. You can adopt any of the methods to stop unusual hair fall after consulting your board-certified dermatologist.
