What We’ll Cover:

• Why hair loss can happen when taking weight loss medications
• How to support hair growth through your diet
• Tips on how to look after your hair 

If you’ve noticed more hair in your brush or on your pillow since starting weight loss treatment, you’re not alone. Some people taking weight management medications, like Wegovy or Mounjaro, notice hair thinning or shedding after a few months. This can be upsetting, but the good news is it’s usually temporary.

Why does hair loss happen?  

Hair loss during weight loss isn’t caused directly by the medication. It’s more to do with how your body reacts to losing weight quickly.

When we lose weight fast, our bodies are going through a state of physical stress. This stress can affect how our hair grows. 

Hair has a natural cycle -  it grows, rests, then falls out to make space for new hair. If the body is under stress, more hairs go into the resting phase too soon. A few months later, they shed all at once. This is called telogen effluvium, a common and temporary type of hair loss.

You might notice:

• More hair in the shower or on your pillow
• Hair coming out easily when brushing
• Hair feels thinner overall

The good news:

This kind of hair loss is temporary. In most cases, hair starts to grow back within 3 to 6 months as your body adjusts. Full recovery can take up to a year.

How to support hair growth:

You can’t always stop the hair from thinning completely, but you can support your body to grow healthy hair again.

‍Eat enough protein: 

Hair is made from protein. If you’re not eating enough, your body will use the protein for more important jobs, and hair growth might pause.

It is important to include protein in every meal. Some good options are:

• Chicken, eggs, fish, and red meat
• Beans, lentils, tofu, and chickpeas
• Greek yoghurt, milk, and cheese

Include iron-rich foods

Iron helps carry oxygen to your hair roots. Without it, hair can’t grow properly.

Iron-rich foods include:

• Red meat, chicken, and eggs
• Leafy greens (like spinach or amaranth)
• Lentils, beans, and peas

‍Add vitamin C and zinc

Vitamin C helps your body take in iron. It’s found in:

• Most fruits. It is particularly high in oranges, berries, kiwi, tomatoes, and peppers

Zinc helps your hair grow and stay strong. You can get zinc from:

• Meat, seeds, dairy, and wholegrain carbohydrates such as Oats, quinoa, and cereals

If it’s hard to get all of these from food, speak to your Clinician about taking a daily multivitamin and mineral or a hair and nail supplement.

Look after your hair:

While your hair is in a delicate phase, treat it gently:

• Use a mild shampoo that doesn’t dry your scalp
• Avoid tight hairstyles, like buns or ponytails
• Limit heat styling, like straighteners or curling tongs
• Try not to brush too hard, or when wet
• Avoid colouring or bleaching during this time

When to ask for help:

If you’re losing a lot of hair, or feel worried, speak to your doctor or hair specialist (trichologist). They can check if anything else is going on.