Although Ozempic is a relatively new medication, more than 120,000 UK patients were prescribed this diabetes and weight-loss drug in 2023 alone, leading to a nationwide shortage. Hugely popular among celebrities and influencers, Ozempic has often been portrayed online as a miracle weight-loss solution.
However, reports soon began circulating that some users were experiencing hair loss after starting the drug, leaving many people wondering how to stop hair loss from Ozempic.
Is Hair Loss a Side Effect of Ozempic?
There’s currently no scientific evidence that hair loss is a direct side effect of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound. Instead, the shedding is more likely caused by the stress of rapid weight loss on the body. This type of hair loss known as telogen effluvium, it is a temporary condition that can occur several months after significant physical or emotional changes.
Understanding Telogen Effluvium
Not everyone who loses weight will experience hair shedding, but when it does happen, it can be alarming. Normally, about 85–90% of your hair is in the active growing phase (anagen), while the remaining is in the resting phase (telogen). After two to four months in the telogen phase, hairs naturally fall out and are replaced by new growth. Most people lose around 100 hairs per day on average.
In cases of telogen effluvium, a larger proportion of hair enters the resting phase prematurely, resulting in noticeable shedding, sometimes up to 300 hairs a day. Because hair in the telogen phase takes a few months to fall out, you may not notice the hair loss until two to four months after the triggering event, such as rapid weight loss.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Telogen effluvium is typically diagnosed based on your medical history and a scalp examination. Your doctor might perform a simple “hair pull test” by gently tugging a small section of hair. If several strands come out with small white bulbs at the root showing they were in the telogen phase, it suggests telogen effluvium.
How to Stop Hair Loss from Ozempic
Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll explore treatment options and expert advice available at Elena Von London to help restore your hair health and confidence.