Weight Loss Drugs & Hair

Weight Loss drugs & Hair? As the popularity of weight loss drugs continue to soar, how can you protect your crowning glory if you’re trying the latest ‘big pharma’ weight loss approach?

 Appetite-suppressing medications have revolutionised the way many approach diet and weight loss. In the US alone, it is estimated that the number of people taking drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy for weight loss increased by a staggering 700 per cent between 2019 and 2023. In January last year, the Food and Drug Administration in the US began investigating reports of alopecia linked to GLP-1 — although multiple clinical trials show that for the majority of these drugs, hair loss tends to affect a very small number of patients, and often only those taking the highest doses.

Here we speak to Consultant Trichologist Eva Proudman FIT IAT of ukhairconsultants.com about alopecia linked to weight loss medications to dispel the myths from the facts and what steps you can take to mitigate hair loss and boost regrowth.

–                How can we protect ourselves from hair loss if we are taking a weight loss medication?

A: Generally, these type of medications suppress appetite to reduce dietary intake which results in weight loss.  Invariably, food choices are therefore reduced, and in so doing, this affects the intake of nutrients that are vital to hair health and in particular keeping the growing and shedding cycle of the hair balanced.  The medications often speed up weight loss to give bigger losses in a shorter space of time, and again this leads to issues with hair shedding. 

I would advise taking a supplement such as Tricoextra to support the essential vitamin and minerals necessary for hair health, which can be compromised when using weight loss medications. I would also advise making protein a priority in all meals, as protein is essential to a healthy body and particularly important to hair health.

Dropping weight quickly can also cause the skin to become lax, this equally applies to the hair follicle that also becomes slack, causing hair shedding to increase.

–                Does the strength or dose of weight loss medications have an impact?

A: The strength of the injections very much has an impact, as if you take too high a dosage you can become very nauseous, and this further impacts your ability to take in nutrients and adhere to a balanced diet.  The injections also increase the levels of hormones that are naturally produced by the stomach when you eat, supporting an increased production of insulin and reducing the amount of glucose / sugar produced by the liver, slowing down digestion to reduce blood sugar levels in Type II diabetes.  Too high a dose can also increase the risk of pancreatitis.

–                Why is it important to take these prescriptions under guidance from a healthcare professional?

A: It is vital to take weight loss medications under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional as they can cause side effects such as pancreatitis and people with a history of gallstones or excessive alcohol intake are more at risk.  They can also increase your risk of kidney disease, gall bladder disease, thyroid cancer and allergic reactions, so it is vital that an in-depth consultation takes place to look at how you are suited to this type of treatment.  Ozempic can cause allergic reactions, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, headache, fatigue and low blood sugar, all symptoms that should be reported to medical professionals for appropriate advice about continuing to take the medication.

–                Can you take other nutritional supplements alongside weight loss jabs to protect the body with essential nutrients?

A: Yes you can! And I would advise this, as very often you will not be getting all of the nutrients required for hair health.  The hair follicle is the second fastest dividing cell in the body, but is non-essential, it is always the last to receive nutrition and needs support if you are embarking on weight loss medications and serious weight loss.  I would advise taking Tricoextra supplements to support stored vitamin and mineral levels that are required for a normal hair growing and shedding cycle.  General dietary advice is also required to help you to prioritise your dietary content.

–                Is this type of hair loss reversable once a person stops taking the medication?

A: In most cases excessive hair shedding can be corrected when weight loss medication stops, however, if certain diseases are triggered by the medication, then the condition can persist and be more difficult to treat, this is particularly seen in relation to gut health.

Eva tested Ozempic for 3 months to evaluate the side effects. Having had bariatric surgery in the past, which put her diabetes into remission, she tested the lower dose, and did not find any real effect on her appetite, but instead felt nauseas, which stopped her wanting to eat and being able to finish even a small portion of food. As a result, Eva found that her hair shedding increased dramatically within 4 weeks of taking the first injection. 

Eva comments: “Having managed Type II diabetes, I do appreciate that there is a place for this type of treatment and having had bariatric surgery myself, I appreciate how difficult weight loss journeys can be. However, I would always advise doing this under the guidance of a medical professional who will also help you with dietary choices, exercise and planning your way forward once you stop the weight loss medications.”

To book a consultation at this or any of Eva’s clinics call us on 01788 819325 (9-5 Monday to Friday) or email us at admin@ukhairconsultants.com

Love, Eva x