You’ve decided to take charge of your health by starting semaglutide to manage your blood sugar and aid in weight loss. As the pounds shed, you feel a sense of accomplishment, but soon, you notice something troubling – your hair is thinning. It’s a frustrating side effect that can catch you off guard. While you might have expected some changes to your body, hair loss wasn’t one of them. Many people who take semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist, report experiencing some form of hair thinning or hair loss.
At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we understand the emotional and physical toll that hair loss can take, especially when you're working hard to improve your overall health. While hair loss may occur as a result of your semaglutide treatment, there are ways to manage and even reverse it. In this article, we’ll explore why semaglutide may lead to hair loss and share strategies to help you keep your hair healthy during your weight loss journey.
Why does semaglutide cause hair loss?
Semaglutide doesn’t directly cause hair loss. However, the weight loss it triggers can contribute to this side effect. Hair loss associated with weight loss is often a result of a phenomenon called telogen effluvium, which occurs when there is a sudden change in the body’s condition. When you lose weight quickly, as is common with semaglutide, your body may enter a state of stress, pushing more hair follicles into the shedding phase of the hair growth cycle.
This type of hair loss typically happens around three to six months after a major weight loss event. During this time, the body’s resources are focused on adjusting to the weight loss, and hair growth may take a backseat. While it can be alarming to notice thinning hair, this type of hair loss is usually temporary and may resolve once the body adjusts to the new weight.
Nutritional deficiencies and hair loss
Nutritional deficiencies are one of the most common reasons for hair loss while on semaglutide. As semaglutide works to suppress your appetite, you may eat less than before, and the smaller quantities of food you consume may lack vitamins and minerals. Deficiencies in nutrients like iron, zinc, and biotin can impact the health of your hair, leading to thinning and shedding.
If your diet is not well-balanced or if you are not supplementing properly, these deficiencies could trigger hair loss. Women, in particular, may notice more significant hair thinning due to a lack of iron, a common issue among those with restricted diets. To avoid this, consider working with your healthcare provider to ensure you’re meeting all your nutritional needs.
Hormonal fluctuations and hair loss
Semaglutide mimics a natural hormone in your body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which regulates blood sugar levels. While GLP-1 is essential for maintaining balanced blood sugar, fluctuations in hormones can disrupt the delicate cycle of hair growth. This disruption can cause hair to enter the shedding phase prematurely, leading to noticeable hair loss.
These hormonal changes, combined with other stress factors like rapid weight loss, may create a perfect storm for thinning hair. It’s important to note that these changes can also impact insulin levels, which have been linked to hair loss in some cases. If you suspect that hormones are a contributing factor to your hair thinning, it may be helpful to consider hormone therapy.
Stress-related hair loss
Managing a chronic condition like diabetes can be a source of ongoing stress, and stress is a contributor to hair loss. The strain of dealing with a health condition and the stress of noticing changes in your appearance due to hair loss can exacerbate the problem. Stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that can disrupt hair follicles, resulting in excessive shedding.
If you’re overwhelmed by weight loss or the emotional toll of hair loss, incorporating stress-reducing activities like mindfulness, meditation, or yoga can help manage your stress levels. By keeping stress in check, you may be able to reduce its impact on your hair health.
How to manage hair loss while on semaglutide
If you’re experiencing hair loss while on semaglutide, you’re likely eager to find ways to manage the issue and promote healthier hair growth. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can try to minimize hair thinning and support your hair’s natural growth cycle.
Nutritional supplementation
The first step in managing hair loss is addressing any nutritional deficiencies. Ensuring you have adequate levels of vitamins and minerals, especially biotin, zinc, and iron, can support healthy hair growth. At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we can work with you to identify any deficiencies and recommend the appropriate supplements to promote stronger hair.
PRP hair restoration
One of the most advanced and effective treatments for hair loss is PRP (platelet-rich plasma) hair restoration. This minimally invasive treatment uses your body’s platelets to stimulate hair follicles and promote natural hair growth. PRP has been shown to improve hair thickness and density by encouraging dormant hair follicles to re-enter the active growth phase.
Medications like finasteride and minoxidil
Another option for managing hair loss while on semaglutide is using medications like finasteride and minoxidil. Minoxidil is a topical that stimulates hair growth by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, while finasteride is an oral medication that inhibits the hormone responsible for hair thinning. Both are effective in treating various forms of hair loss.
Hair care tips and practices
In addition to medical treatments and supplements, adopting healthy hair care practices can help minimize damage. Using gentle shampoos and conditioners, avoiding excessive heat styling, and steering clear of tight hairstyles that can stress your hair follicles are all important steps. Be sure to treat your hair carefully to prevent unnecessary breakage and thinning.
While semaglutide can be a powerful tool for weight loss, hair loss can sometimes accompany these benefits. At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we understand that hair loss can be stressful, but it’s often manageable with the right approach. If you’re experiencing hair thinning while on semaglutide, we can guide you toward solutions that work for your unique needs. Schedule a consultation today!
