Summary
People taking certain weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy often experience temporary hair loss. This hair loss is mainly due to rapid weight loss, not the medications themselves, and usually resolves within a few months.
Key Facts
- Hair loss while using medications like Ozempic and Wegovy is usually temporary.
- This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium and is due to physical stress, like rapid weight loss.
- Normally, 85-90% of hair is growing, and 10-15% is resting.
- Stress causes more hair to rest, leading to shedding a few months later.
- Rapid weight loss can trigger telogen effluvium, but the condition is reversible.
- Low protein, iron, biotin, zinc, and fatty acids during weight loss can worsen hair thinning.
- Hair loss commonly starts 2-6 months after beginning treatment or rapid weight change.
- Shedding usually lasts 3-6 months and resolves as weight stabilizes, even if medication use continues.
