Key takeaways:
Ozempic doesn’t directly cause hair loss. But it can cause other conditions that increase the risk of hair loss.
Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) can cause rapid weight loss. Rapid weight loss can trigger telogen effluvium, a type of temporary hair loss.
Ozempic and Wegovy can reduce appetite, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Low protein and vitamin levels can slow hair growth.
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Ozempic (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved injectable medication that can help treat Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Semaglutide is also available as Wegovy for weight loss. Semaglutide helps the body release more insulin after eating and stops the liver from making more sugar. It also slows how fast the stomach empties, which can make people feel fuller longer and lower appetite.
All of these things lead to better blood-sugar control. They can also cause weight loss and other side effects. Though some people aren’t bothered by weight loss as a side effect, other Ozempic side effects may be more troubling. For example, people who’ve taken Ozempic say they’ve experienced hair loss while taking the medication.
Here’s how Ozempic can affect your hair.
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Does semaglutide — Ozempic and Wegovy — cause hair loss?
Right now, there’s no evidence that semaglutide directly causes hair loss. But some people may experience hair loss after starting these medications.
People who took Ozempic during the original clinical trials didn’t report hair loss. About 3% to 4% of people in Wegovy clinical trials reported hair loss.
Newer data shows that hair changes from semaglutide aren’t as common as side effects like nausea, upset stomach, or stool changes. But some people do experience hair loss while taking these medications.
So, if semaglutide doesn’t cause hair loss, why does this happen? Let’s take a look at two reasons why people may experience hair changes while taking Wegovy or Ozempic.
Rapid weight loss can trigger telogen effluvium
It’s possible that people taking Ozempic and Wegovy experience hair loss because they lose weight rapidly. Rapid weight loss is a known semaglutide side effect and it can lead to hair loss. That’s because people who go through a period of rapid weight loss can develop a condition called telogen effluvium. And telogen effluvium causes hair loss.
Telogen effluvium is very common after weight loss. One study showed that more than half of people who had rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery experienced more hair shedding.
Telogen effluvium develops when a lot of hair follicles move from a growth phase into a resting phase at the same time. During the rest phase, hair follicles shed their hair. Normally, hair follicles move from a growth to a rest phase at slightly different times. This keeps your hair from falling out at once. So, when many follicles shed at the same time, people start to notice hair loss and thinning.
Telogen effluvium typically starts about 3 months after someone experiences rapid weight loss. This is why people may not experience hair changes until they’ve been taking semaglutide for several months.
Does rapid weight loss always cause telogen effluvium?
No, not everyone who experiences rapid weight loss will develop telogen effluvium. It’s not clear exactly how many people experience this condition after weight loss. Right now, it’s impossible to predict whether or not someone will develop telogen effluvium if they experience rapid weight loss.
Struggling with hair loss while taking Ozempic? Other medications could be to blame.
It’s not just medications that trigger hair loss. Hair products can, too. Take a look at our roundup of shampoos that can cause hair loss.
What’s the best hair loss treatment? Find the option for you with our guide to hair loss treatments.
Is hair loss from telogen effluvium permanent?
Hair loss from telogen effluvium isn’t permanent. Telogen effluvium doesn’t damage the hair follicle. Eventually, hair follicles will switch back to a growth phase and hair will grow back. But it can take weeks to months for the hair follicle to go back to their normal growth pattern. And then it’ll take more time for hair to grow back to its usual length.
How common is hair loss from taking semaglutide, like Ozempic and Wegovy?
It’s not clear how many people experience hair loss while taking Ozempic. But available data suggests that it’s not very common.
The data from the Wegovy clinical trials showed that about 3% of people reported more hair shedding. But 1% of people in the placebo (“control”) group also reported more hair shedding. The 2% difference may be due to chance, and not the medication.
Nutritional deficiencies can affect hair health
Nutritional deficiencies may be another reason why people experience hair changes while taking semaglutide.
Ozempic and Wegovy lower appetite and make you feel fuller longer. This makes you eat less which can lead to nutritional deficiencies if you’re not making sure you eat a variety of foods.
Not getting enough vitamins and minerals can lead to hair loss. Low vitamin D and zinc levels have been linked to hair loss.
Your hair health also depends on getting enough vitamins and protein. Even if you aren’t losing hair, you may notice slower hair growth while taking semaglutide, if you don’t get enough protein and vitamins. Getting enough iron, protein, and vitamins can keep your hair healthy while taking Ozempic and Wegovy.
It’s always best to get protein and vitamins from food. But supplements can be a good option if you’re having a hard time getting enough protein and nutrients from food. Talk with your healthcare team about whether or not you should take supplements while taking semaglutide.
What should you do if you experience hair loss from Ozempic or Wegovy?
There’s no way to immediately stop hair loss or thinning while taking semaglutide. But you should talk with your healthcare team if you notice hair changes while taking Ozempic or Wegovy. There are several things you can do with your team, including the steps below.
Determine the cause of hair loss
It’s important to make sure that you’re experiencing telogen effluvium and not another form of hair loss. Telogen effluvium is typically temporary, but other causes of hair loss can be permanent.
You’ll want to make sure your hair loss isn’t related to another medical condition that causes hair loss like:
Review your medications
Some medications can cause hair loss. So, review your medications with your healthcare team and see if there are alternatives that you could take that won’t affect your hair growth. But make sure you don’t stop your medications without talking to your care team first.
Find gentle hair care practices
The daily stress of hair styling can take a toll on hair follicles and increase hair shedding. You’ll want to nurture your hair while it recovers from telogen effluvium or nutritional deficiencies. Taking a break from coloring, perming, or relaxing, as well as heat styling and tight hairstyles that stress your hair, can give your follicles a chance to rest and recover. Also, avoid hair products and shampoos that can lead to hair loss and damage.
Lower stress
Stress can trigger telogen effluvium. Your healthcare team can help you develop a routine that can lower stress. Walking, deep breathing, and meditation can all help. Mindfulness-based stress reduction is another popular way to tackle high stress levels.
Check for nutritional deficiencies
Your healthcare team can check for vitamin and mineral deficiencies that contribute to hair loss. They may recommend blood tests to check your iron, vitamin D, and zinc levels. They can also prescribe supplements if you have low vitamin and mineral levels.
Review your diet
A nutritious diet can boost hair health. Try to include lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your daily routine. Your healthcare team can help you develop a new meal plan. They may also ask you to work with a dietitian to make sure you get the nutrition you need while taking semaglutide.
Frequently asked questions
Other diabetes medications can cause rapid weight loss as a side effect. These include tirzepatide (Mounjaro), liraglutide (Victoza), and semaglutide (Rybelsus). Some people taking these medications have experienced hair changes, like hair loss and thinning. This is likely due to telogen effluvium related to rapid weight loss.
Your hair should grow back after you stop taking Ozempic if your hair loss was from telogen effluvium. It can take several months for your hair follicles to re-enter a growth phase after stopping Ozempic. It’ll take several more months for hair to grow long enough to make a noticeable difference in hair fullness.
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most commonly reported side effects of Ozempic. These side effects tend to go away on their own over time.
Other diabetes medications can cause rapid weight loss as a side effect. These include tirzepatide (Mounjaro), liraglutide (Victoza), and semaglutide (Rybelsus). Some people taking these medications have experienced hair changes, like hair loss and thinning. This is likely due to telogen effluvium related to rapid weight loss.
Your hair should grow back after you stop taking Ozempic if your hair loss was from telogen effluvium. It can take several months for your hair follicles to re-enter a growth phase after stopping Ozempic. It’ll take several more months for hair to grow long enough to make a noticeable difference in hair fullness.
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most commonly reported side effects of Ozempic. These side effects tend to go away on their own over time.
The bottom line
There’s no evidence that Ozempic (or other forms of semaglutide) directly cause hair loss. But rapid weight loss is a known side effect of taking Ozempic — and rapid weight loss can lead to telogen effluvium (excessive hair shedding). This condition develops about 3 months after rapid weight loss. Telogen effluvium isn’t permanent, but it may last for a few months.
Talk with your healthcare team if you experience hair loss while taking Ozempic or Wegovy. They can confirm that you have telogen effluvium and not a type of permanent hair loss. If you have telogen effluvium, avoid putting more stress on your hair follicles. Give your hair a break from chemicals, heat-based styling, and tight hairstyles.
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References
Almohanna, H. M., et al. (2018). The role of vitamins and minerals in hair loss: A review. Dermatology and Therapy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Do you have hair loss or hair shedding?
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Hair loss: Who gets and causes.
Asghar, F., et al. (2020). Telogen effluvium: A review of the literature. Cureus.
Blackburn, G. L., et al. (1977). Hair loss with rapid weight loss. Archives of Dermatology.
Fisher, J. (2024). Vitamins, minerals, and hair loss: Is there a connection? Harvard Health Publishing.
Guo, E. L., et al. (2017). Diet and hair loss: Effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual.
Lopez, R. F. R., et al. (2025). Alopecia as an emerging adverse effect associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for weight loss: A scoping review. Cureus.
Novo Nordisk. (2022). Ozempic semaglutide injection [package insert].
Novo Nordisk. (2022). Wegovy semaglutide injection [package insert].
Schwartz, A. (2023). Patients say Ozempic is triggering hair loss, and doctors aren’t surprised. Insider.
Yin, G. O. C., et al. (2021). Telogen effluvium – A review of the science and current obstacles. Journal of Dermatological Science.
Zhang, W., et al. (2021). Hair loss after metabolic and bariatric surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity Surgery.
