‘Ozempic Hair’ Is the Latest GLP-1 Side Effect

The supporting role of GLP-1s in personal fitness journeys is one that we’ll likely be studying and talking about for years to come. But alongside the drug’s quick-ish body-slimming capabilities, there’s been discourse in the depths of Reddit about its beauty side effects, including Ozempic face, and now, ‘Ozempic hair’. The changes have left both experts and patients with a list of new aesthetic challenges to resolve.

What is ‘Ozempic hair’?

The term—which has been attached to the most popular brand name of GLP-1 drugs, although it can occur with any of them—isn’t exactly a medical diagnosis, according to Marc R. Avram, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. “It is a term used to describe increased hair shedding that some people notice several months after starting GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound),” he explains to ELLE.

What causes ‘Ozempic hair’?

This type of hair loss can happen with any diet change, especially those that suppress the appetite altogether. What’s brewing beneath the scalp’s surface is actually a shift in the natural hair follicle phases as a result of the nutrients you’re removing from your diet. “This represents telogen effluvium, a temporary form of hair shedding triggered by rapid weight loss, nutritional changes, or other physiologic stressors rather than a direct effect of the medication on the hair follicle,” Avram adds.

At the root of it, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annette Czernik explains that follicles are constantly cycling through growing, resting, and shedding phases. “When the body goes through rapid weight loss or a drop in calorie intake, it shifts energy toward keeping important organs functioning instead of growing hair. That stress can push more hair follicles into the resting phase earlier than normal,” Czernik says.

So it’s not necessarily the GLP-1 that’s causing the hair loss; in fact, both Avram and Czernik note that there isn’t any strong evidence directly connecting any GLP-1 medication to hair loss. Instead, Avram says it’s the rapid weight loss, reduced caloric intake, inadequate protein, iron deficiency, zinc deficiency, and other nutritional changes that can shift a greater number of hair follicles into the resting phase.

You won’t notice the shedding immediately, either. According to Avram, it takes approximately two to four months for those hairs to come out. So, while it’s a slow build of hair entering the rest phase, seeing them all on the shower floor at once can be jarring.

Is GLP-1 hair loss permanent?

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Danny Guo says that ‘Ozempic hair’ is usually not a permanent condition, as it is a form of nonscarring alopecia, meaning the hair follicle is still alive. “Once the weight stabilizes or the medication is discontinued, there is a reasonable chance that the hair can grow back,” he says. While it’s a comforting insight, the caveat is that most GLP-1s require a prolonged commitment to keep unwanted weight off.

Can you regrow hair lost while using a GLP-1?

Before making any adjustments to your hair routine, diet, or GLP-1 cadence, talk to your doctor.

You may even want to have the conversation before you start on a GLP-1. However, Guo says you don’t necessarily need to have your scalp evaluated beforehand. Unless, as he notes, you already have preexisting hair loss.

Keep in mind that restoring your hair’s natural growth phase will likely need to start from within. “Make sure you’re eating enough protein every day because hair is made mostly of protein and needs it to grow,” says Czernik. A balanced diet made up of iron, zinc, vitamin D, and other key nutrients can also help support healthy hair. “If you’re eating much less than usual, it’s worth discussing your nutrition plan with your health care provider or a registered dietitian. Paying attention to nutrition from the beginning gives your hair the best chance of staying healthy while you’re losing weight,” says Czernik.

A few external and preventative options can also help keep the hair that doesn’t fall out looking healthy and full, and possibly lessen the shedding. Kindred often recommends hair growth gummies to her patients dealing with thinning and excessive shedding, but only after identifying and correcting any underlying nutritional deficiencies. She pairs the ingestible with Xtresse FR Concentrate Serum. “It’s a non-drying, elegant serum applied topically that supports the health of the cells of the follicle.”

Guo adds that red light therapy on the scalp also helps stimulate the follicles. Additionally, keep a moisturizing conditioner and leave-in treatment in your wash day rotation to prevent existing hair from becoming dry, brittle, and breaking.

No matter where you are in your journey, all experts agree that the best way to mitigate the risk of dramatic hair shedding from GLP-1s is to aim for a gradual, sustainable weight loss trajectory instead of a rapid cycle. It’s also important to adhere to dosing schedules directed by your physician. “Equally important is maintaining adequate protein intake and screening for nutritional deficiencies, which are critical preventive measures,” Kindred concludes.