Wegovy Hair Loss: Causes, Prevention & Treatment

Hair loss is a commonly reported side effect of Wegovy. Understand telogen effluvium, why it happens during weight loss, and how to prevent or manage it effectively.

Understanding Wegovy and Hair Loss

Hair loss during Wegovy treatment is primarily caused by telogen effluvium—a condition where hair prematurely enters the shedding phase due to physical or metabolic stress. This is not scarring alopecia and is typically reversible.

Wegovy causes rapid weight loss, which your body perceives as a stressor. Additionally, the medication can reduce appetite so significantly that users may not consume enough calories, protein, or micronutrients needed to support hair growth. This combination creates the perfect storm for temporary hair loss.

What Is Telogen Effluvium?

Telogen effluvium is a reversible form of hair loss where a large percentage of hair follicles simultaneously enter the telogen (resting/shedding) phase. Normally, about 10-15% of hair is in this phase at any time. During telogen effluvium, this percentage can jump to 30% or higher.

The condition typically appears 2-4 weeks after the triggering stressor and can last 3-6 months. It\'s non-scarring, meaning hair follicles remain intact and will eventually regrow.

Common triggers include:

• Rapid weight loss (more than 5-10 pounds per week)
• Protein deficiency
• Iron deficiency or low ferritin
• Zinc deficiency
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Psychological stress
• High fever or illness

Nutritional Deficiencies and Hair Loss

Hair is primarily made of protein (keratin), so inadequate protein intake is a major risk factor for hair loss during Wegovy therapy. Additionally, several micronutrients are essential for hair growth:

Protein: Aim for at least 80-100g daily. This supports keratin synthesis and overall hair health. If appetite suppression makes this difficult, use protein shakes or supplements.

Iron: Low iron and ferritin (iron stores) can trigger telogen effluvium. Women are particularly at risk. Get your ferritin tested; optimal levels for hair health are typically above 50-70 ng/mL.

Zinc: Essential for hair growth and immune function. Deficiency is linked to alopecia. Target 15-30mg daily from food or supplements.

Biotin: While biotin\'s role in hair health isn\'t definitively proven, some studies suggest 2.5mg daily may help. It\'s generally safe and inexpensive.

Vitamin D: Low vitamin D correlates with various forms of hair loss. Most people benefit from 2000-4000 IU daily, though blood testing can determine your needs.

B Vitamins: B12, folate, and other B vitamins support energy production and hair health. Consider a B-complex supplement, especially if your diet is restricted due to appetite suppression.

Timeline of Hair Loss on Wegovy

Understanding the typical timeline can help you know what to expect and when to seek intervention:

Weeks 1-4: No noticeable hair loss. Weight loss begins, but hair is still in growth phase (anagen).

Weeks 4-8: Hair may start shifting into telogen phase, but shedding isn\'t visible yet.

Weeks 8-12: Noticeable increase in hair shedding (typically 3-4 months after starting Wegovy). This is when most users report hair loss.

Months 4-6: Peak shedding period. Hair loss is most pronounced. This is the critical window for intervention.

Months 6-12: Gradual slowdown in hair loss as nutritional status improves and weight loss stabilizes.

Months 12+: Hair regrowth begins. New hair (anagen) starts growing in, visible as tiny hairs at the scalp.

Months 12-24: Full recovery period. Hair gradually returns to baseline density over 12-24 months.

Prevention Strategies

Prioritize Protein: Consume 80-100g of protein daily. This is non-negotiable for hair health during weight loss. Include lean meats, eggs, fish, legumes, Greek yogurt, and protein supplements.

Eat Adequate Calories: While weight loss is the goal, severely restricting calories (below 1200-1500 daily) accelerates hair loss. Aim for a moderate deficit of 500-750 calories per day rather than extreme restriction.

Slow Your Weight Loss: Losing 1-2 pounds per week is less stressful to your body than 3-4 pounds per week. If your weight loss is rapid, consider pausing Wegovy for a few weeks to allow your body to stabilize.

Supplement Strategically: Begin taking targeted supplements before hair loss starts or as soon as shedding begins. Key supplements include biotin (2.5mg), iron (if deficient), zinc (15-30mg), and vitamin D3 (2000-4000 IU).

Get Micronutrient Testing: A blood test can reveal deficiencies in iron, ferritin, vitamin D, zinc, and B vitamins. Address deficiencies early rather than guessing.

Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can worsen hair loss. Aim for at least 8-10 glasses of water daily.

Manage Stress: Stress exacerbates telogen effluvium. Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation, exercise, or therapy.

Supplements and Hair Regrowth

While no supplement completely prevents Wegovy-related hair loss, several have evidence supporting their use:

Biotin: A B-vitamin that supports hair structure. Typical dose is 2.5-5mg daily. Some studies show improvement in hair strength and thickness.

Collagen Peptides: Collagen is broken down to amino acids (glycine, proline, hydroxyproline) that support hair structure and skin health. Take 10-15g daily.

Iron Supplements: If your ferritin is below 50 ng/mL, supplementing with 25-65mg elemental iron daily can restore hair growth. Iron with vitamin C is absorbed more effectively.

Zinc: Essential for hair follicle health. Zinc deficiency is linked to alopecia. Take 15-30mg daily; too much zinc can interfere with copper absorption.

Vitamin D3: Low vitamin D is associated with various alopecia types. Target 2000-4000 IU daily, or supplement based on blood levels.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fish oil (1000-2000mg daily EPA+DHA) supports hair follicle health and reduces inflammation.

Multivitamin: A comprehensive multivitamin ensures you\'re not missing any micronutrients during restrictive eating.

When Does Hair Loss Stop on Wegovy?

Hair loss typically peaks at 3-4 months and gradually improves over the following 3-6 months. However, the timeline depends on several factors:

Nutritional Status: If you aggressively address deficiencies, hair loss may stop within 2-3 months of supplementation.

Weight Loss Rate: Slower weight loss means less metabolic stress and quicker resolution of telogen effluvium.

Dose Stability: If you\'re on a stable Wegovy dose and not escalating further, shedding eventually stabilizes as your body adjusts.

Individual Variation: Some people naturally recover faster than others. Genetics play a role in how quickly hair cycles through phases.

Most users see significant improvement in hair loss within 6 months of addressing nutritional deficiencies and stabilizing weight loss. Full recovery (return to baseline density) typically takes 12-18 months.

When to Seek Medical Help

Contact your doctor if:

• Hair loss is severe (losing more than 100-150 hairs daily in the shower)
• Hair loss persists beyond 6-8 months despite supplementation
• Hair loss is accompanied by scalp pain, redness, or flaking (suggests other conditions)
• You notice patchy hair loss (suggests alopecia areata, not telogen effluvium)
• Hair loss continues after stopping Wegovy and addressing nutritional deficiencies

Your doctor may order blood work to check for thyroid dysfunction, autoimmune conditions, or nutritional deficiencies that could be contributing.

Hair Loss With Other GLP-1 Medications

Hair loss isn\'t unique to Wegovy. Users of semaglutide, Ozempic, and Mounjaro report similar experiences. The mechanism is the same: rapid weight loss triggering telogen effluvium.

If you\'re considering switching medications due to hair loss, understand that the issue likely stems from weight loss itself, not the specific medication. Switching to a different GLP-1 won\'t prevent telogen effluvium.

Other Wegovy Side Effects to Monitor

Hair loss often occurs alongside other side effects. Learn about managing Wegovy side effects comprehensively, including nausea, constipation, and fatigue.