Lose Weight, Not Your Locks: Understanding and Treating Hair Loss After Weight Loss Medication

22 May, 2025  |  Jane Thomas - Marketing

If there's one thing you've learned so far on your weight loss journey, it's that losing weight is often not as simple as it first seems. Sure, the principle behind weight loss is straightforward - you've got to maintain a calorie deficit. But the reality is often a whole lot more confusing and conflicting than it first seems on paper.

Although weight loss is a net positive for your health (the benefits can include a reduced risk of conditions like type two diabetes, a healthier heart and even a stronger sex drive), it can sometimes affect your body in negative ways too. One of the most common fears people have is that, along with losing weight, they'll lose some of their hair too.

In this guide, we're going to explore the links between weight loss and hair loss to find out how common the issue is. We'll also take a closer look at weight loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro, establishing the effect they can have on your hair, before running through some of the available treatment options for hair loss.

Will weight loss lead to my hair thinning?

First up, just how likely are you to lose hair as a result of losing weight?

The answer to this question really depends on the amount of weight you're losing - and how quickly you're losing it. If you only lose a little bit of weight (or lose a lot of weight but over an extended period of time), your risk of experiencing hair loss will be far lower.

Hair loss typically occurs when…

• You lose a lot of weight in a short period of time (perhaps due to stressful life events or extreme dieting).

• You become deficient in protein or nutrients because you're not getting a balanced diet while you lose weight. Yes, it's good that you're losing weight - but it's important to do so in a sustainable way without depriving your body of the essential nutrients it needs.

• You're using a weight loss injection such as Mounjaro or Wegovy. More on this in just a second.

The link between weight loss medications and hair loss

If you're currently using a weight loss injection - or you're considering doing so - it's important to understand the possible side effects. Any medication can cause side effects, and the likes of Mounjaro and Wegovy are no different.

Hair loss is often cited as a potential side effect of both medications, but how common is it? Let's find out.

Do Wegovy's side effects include hair loss?

Yes, Wegovy can cause hair loss on occasion - but this is extremely rare. According to one study on the subject, just 3% of adults using Wegovy experienced any form of hair loss. By contrast, 1% of study participants taking a placebo reported hair loss - indicating that Wegovy can slightly increase your likelihood of losing hair on your weight loss journey.

Does Mounjaro cause hair loss?

It's a similar story for Mounjaro. Just like Wegovy, hair loss is listed as a possible side effect of Mounjaro in the patient information leaflet, but it seems to be slightly more common among users. Another study focusing on Mounjaro found that 5% of participants using the drug experienced hair loss, with less than 1% of those using a placebo noticing any hair loss.

Will my hair loss be permanent?

Good news: it's very unlikely that your hair loss will be permanent and irreversible. Provided you take good care of yourself and ensure your body is getting the nutrients it needs, hair loss will often get better on its own after a few months - even if it's caused by a medication such as Mounjaro or Wegovy.

To mitigate hair loss, ensure you eat a balanced diet (crash dieting or extreme calorie deficits are a no-go), avoid using harsh products on your hair and try to keep stress to a minimum where possible. Although stressful life events are very often outside of your control, techniques such as meditation and mindfulness can still help you get your mental health back on track.

What are the best ways to treat hair loss after losing weight?

If you'd rather not wait for your hair loss to improve of its own accord and want to get your confidence back right away, you'll be pleased to know that there are a wide range of different hair loss treatments on the market, from creams and topical ointments to tablets - perfect for those experiencing hair loss as a result of medications like Mounjaro or Wegovy.

Curious to learn more? Explore our full range of hair loss treatments today to find out what's available and how each medication works. And if you have any questions whatsoever, don't hesitate to reach out to our team of experts.