Success Stories

Wondering why weight loss jabs like Wegovy®, Ozempic®, or Saxenda® cause hair shedding? Learn how GLP-1 injections affect hair, why it’s temporary, and what experts from the Association of Registered Trichologists recommend for recovery on the hair regrowth journey.

Have You Noticed More Hair Shedding Since Starting Weight Loss Jabs?

If you’ve begun treatment with Wegovy® (semaglutide), Ozempic® (semaglutide), or Saxenda® (liraglutide) and noticed extra hair in the shower or on your brush, you’re not alone. This is a well-recognised effect of rapid dietary change, and the good news is — it’s usually temporary and reversible.

How Weight Loss Injections Work

Weight loss injections available in the UK belong to a group of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. Originally used for managing type 2 diabetes, they are now licensed to help people with obesity or overweight achieve weight loss.

• Wegovy® (semaglutide) – licensed for weight management in the UK.
• Ozempic® (semaglutide) – licensed for type 2 diabetes, sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss.
• Saxenda® (liraglutide) – another GLP-1 injection approved for weight management.

These medications work by:

• Slowing down stomach emptying.
• Reducing appetite and food cravings.
• Helping regulate blood sugar levels.

The result is often a rapid reduction in food intake and body weight.

Why Weight Loss Can Trigger Hair Shedding

Hair shedding linked to these injections is not caused by the medication directly damaging the hair follicle. Instead, it’s a side-effect of sudden dietary change.

When calorie intake drops quickly, the body enters a period of energy prioritisation. Vital organs like the heart and brain get first call on resources. Hair growth, which isn’t essential for survival, gets temporarily “downgraded.”

This can trigger a condition called Chronic Telogen Effluvium (CTE), where more hairs than usual enter the “resting” phase of the growth cycle and fall out at the same time.

The Good News: It’s Reversible

According to guidance from the Association of Registered Trichologists, this kind of shedding is temporary. Once your body adapts and your diet stabilises, the hair growth cycle returns to normal.

Many people find their hair naturally thickens again within a few months, without the need for any new products or supplements.

What You Can Do

If you’re experiencing shedding on weight loss injections, here’s what helps most:

• Eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet – especially foods high in iron, protein, and vitamins that support hair health.
• Avoid extreme calorie restriction – steady, sustainable weight loss is less stressful for your body (and your hair).
• Be patient – hair growth cycles take time; improvement may be gradual over several months.
• Seek reassurance – a qualified trichologist can confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes.

There’s no need to start new hair loss treatments or supplements unless otherwise advised.

FAQs on Weight Loss Jabs and Hair Loss

Does Wegovy® cause hair loss?
Yes, some people report extra shedding after starting Wegovy®. It’s not the medicine itself but the rapid change in diet that can trigger temporary hair shedding (Chronic Telogen Effluvium).

Does Ozempic® cause hair loss?
As with Wegovy®, shedding linked to Ozempic® is usually the result of calorie restriction rather than the medication. Hair typically regrows as the body adjusts.

Does Saxenda® cause hair loss?
Hair shedding can also occur with Saxenda® during rapid weight loss, but this is generally temporary and reversible once eating stabilises.

Will hair loss from weight loss injections grow back?
Yes — in most cases, hair returns to normal thickness within a few months as the diet stabilises and energy intake improves.

Do I need special shampoos or supplements?
Not usually. Experts at the Association of Registered Trichologists recommend focusing on good nutrition rather than unnecessary treatments.

Key Takeaway and where to go for more advice

If you’ve noticed extra hair shedding while taking Wegovy®, Ozempic®, or Saxenda®, remember — it’s usually a temporary response to rapid weight change. With time, balanced nutrition, and reassurance from a trichologist if needed, most people see their hair recover naturally. This British Heart Foundation page is helpful.