Hair loss is medically known as alopecia. It can be a distressing side effect of Ozempic (semaglutide). Ozempic is a drug originally developed to improve blood sugar control in Type 2 Diabetes. It is effective in Managing Type 2 Diabetes and even weight loss. However, some people may experience what is known as Ozempic hair loss.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the connection between Ozempic and hair loss, along with potential treatment recommendations.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is one of the most popular weight loss drugs. It is a prescription drug with the active ingredient Semaglutide. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide receptor (GPL-1) drug that helps promote insulin production.
Semaglutide can help moderate type 2 diabetes effects. It can decrease the risk of developing major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack. One additional effect of the drug is keeping patients feeling full for longer. Therefore, it gained massive popularity as an off-label drug for rapid weight loss.
In 2021, Semaglutide received the FDA approval to help with weight loss. Clinical trials have shown the efficiency of Mounjaro Ozempic and WeGovy. However, these had many potential side effects. These include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and stomach pain.
More serious but less common or even rare side effects include a risk for thyroid cancer, inflammation of the pancreas, gallstones, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Other side effects include diabetic retinopathy and serious allergic reactions.
Why Does Ozempic Cause Hair Loss?
In clinical trials, Ozempic hair loss occurs in 3 to 5 percent of the participants. The most common form of hair loss is telogen effluvium, which is due to a disruption of the hair growth cycle. Rapid weight loss can cause a stress response in the body, which can result in telogen effluvium, which is hair loss that occurs as a result of stress or trauma. Other causes may include nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and stress.
What is Telogen Effluvium?
In telogen effluvium there is increased hair fall in the resting or telogen phase. The mechanism of telogen effluvium is not fully understood. Some common triggers may include metabolic body stress, chronic illness, major surgery or trauma, excessive stress and rapid weight loss.
Our hair goes through three cycles: A natural growth phase, a transformation phase, and a rest phase. During the rest cycle, hair growth stops, and hair starts to fall. On average, you can lose anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs a day.
In this condition, the body sends more hair follicles into the rest phases. This hair loss may start two to three months after you start losing weight.
What Are The Causes of Ozempic Hair Loss?
Nutritional Deficiencies
Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals essential for hair health, such as biotin, zinc, and iron, can contribute to hair thinning and loss. Loss of iron in women can be especially detrimental to hair growth—Ozempic works by decreasing appetite. As a result, people usually eat less. For those who do not supplement with vitamins and minerals, it can lead to hair loss and hair thinning.
Hormonal Changes
Ozempic mimics the action of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). It helps regulate blood sugar levels. Hormones, like insulin fluctuations, may disrupt the hair growth cycle. It can lead to noticeable hair loss.
Stress
Type 2 diabetes management can be stressful. Stress is a known factor in hair loss. Additionally, the stress of obesity can also exacerbate the issue.
Is Hair Loss with Ozempic Permanent? Will I Go Bald?
Ozempic hair loss can start as soon as three months after you start losing weight. Once started, it can last for several months. If you are experiencing hair loss, it can be a temporary side effect. But it is not that common. This type of hair loss is typically not severe enough to cause baldness.
Once you start taking care of the underlying cause, your hair growth will generally resume. If you experience significant hair loss, consulting a healthcare provider is advisable to address underlying causes and consider potential treatments.
Treatment Recommendations for Hair Loss Caused by Ozempic
If you’re experiencing hair loss while taking Ozempic, you can book a consultation with Cosmedica to learn more about your condition. Here are some treatment recommendations that may help mitigate hair loss:
Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements are a great way to deal with Ozempic hair loss. These can combat any nutritional deficiencies and improve hair health. You can include biotin, iron, vitamin B complex, vitamin D and E in your diet after consulting with your doctor.
Switching Medications
In some cases, you may be able to switch to an alternative diabetes medication that does not have hair loss as a side effect. However, this decision should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider.
Lifestyle Modifications
You can practice stress-reducing techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or yoga to manage stress levels.
Topical Treatments
Prescription topical treatments containing minoxidil may help stimulate hair growth and prevent further thinning. Oral prescription medications like Finasteride can also be helpful. However, they are not recommended for women who want to conceive.
PRP for Hair Loss
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are a highly effective treatment option for strengthening the hair follicles and activating growth factors to increase hair growth. The solution is derived from the patient’s blood and centrifuged to isolate the platelet-rich plasma, which nourishes and regenerates the hair follicles when injected into the scalp. The treatment’s effects include a longer growth phase and thicker hair follicles for denser, healthier hair. PRP can be effectively used for patients struggling with telogen effluvium to help boost hair regeneration.
Hair Transplants
If you are experiencing severe or persistent hair loss, hair loss can be a permanent solution. And it doesn’t always have to be a very costly procedure. At Cosmedica, a leading hair transplant clinic in Istanbul, you can enjoy affordable, state-of-the-art hair transplants.
The DHI Sapphire method, pioneered by Dr. Levent Acar at Cosmedica, can achieve excellent results. Just look at the before and after results.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with diabetes or obesity isn’t easy. Bariatric surgery and Ozempic for weight loss can lead to hair thinning. It can be very distressing.
However, there are various pathways you can explore. You can work closely with your doctor or the experienced team at Cosmedica to explore various treatment options. You can find a solution that helps you manage your diabetes while minimizing the impact on your hair health.