Does Mounjaro Cause Hair Loss?

More and more people are now using weight loss injections, such as Mounjaro, to lose weight. It’s estimated that around 1.5 million people in the UK alone are now using injectable weight loss treatments, with many more interested in exploring the potential benefits of the medications.

While Mounjaro has been proven to aid weight loss, it has also been shown to cause a number of side effects, and some people using the medication have expressed concerns about hair loss. While Mounjaro itself hasn’t been shown to cause hair loss, some types of weight loss treatment could trigger a condition known as telogen effluvium. This is a variety of sudden hair loss that can be brought on by stress or by significant changes in health or body weight.

If you’re considering using Mounjaro for weight loss, it’s important to learn about all possible side effects, including hair loss. Here, we take a closer look at hair loss on Mounjaro and what you could expect from this weight loss treatment.

How Does Mounjaro Work?

Mounjaro is a weight loss medication known as a GLP-1 that works by activating receptors in your brain and stomach that tell your body you’re full. It also slows the passage of food through your digestive system, helping you to feel fuller for longer. This may help to stop you from overeating and could reduce the number of calories you consume per day, helping you lose weight.

A lot of people who take Mounjaro lose weight rapidly. One study showed that people using Mounjaro lost an average of 22.5% of their starting body weight after just 72 weeks. Some people may lose weight even quicker. While this is an excellent result for those wanting to slim down and improve their health, the sudden change in body size could trigger side effects, including hair loss.

Why Does Mounjaro Cause Hair Loss?

Currently, there’s no evidence to suggest that Mounjaro itself causes hair loss. However, the rapid weight loss that’s brought about by Mounjaro treatment could trigger hair loss or hair thinning in some people. This is a condition known as telogen effluvium and is where your hair spends longer in the shedding phase of its lifecycle. This could mean you are losing more hair than normal, so your hair appears to be thinner. It could also seem like you are losing your hair.

What Is Telogen Effluvium?

Telogen effluvium is a condition that occurs when more of your hairs than usual shift from the growing phase (anagen) to the shedding phase (telogen). It can be triggered by stress or by body changes like rapid weight loss.

Normally, only 10% of the hair on your scalp will be in the shedding phase. If you have telogen effluvium, this could increase to 30% or more. This shedding can start up to three months after you begin losing significant amounts of weight and could lead to a noticeable thinning of your hair.

While it may be unsettling and worrying to see your hair fall out, it’s important to remember that telogen effluvium is generally reversible. The condition doesn’t damage your hair follicles, allowing your hair to grow back once the underlying cause has been addressed.

If your telogen effluvium has been triggered by sudden weight loss, you may find your hair begins to regrow once your weight stabilises. In most cases, people with the condition have full regrowth within six to 12 months.

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Other Factors That Can Contribute To Hair Loss On Mounjaro

There are a number of other factors that could contribute to hair loss during your treatment with Mounjaro. These include:

Nutritional deficiencies

During treatment with Mounjaro, you’re likely to find that your appetite shrinks and you eat less food than you did before. It’s important to ensure that the food you do eat is rich in vitamins and minerals, otherwise you may find that you become deficient in key nutrients, something that may potentially lead to hair loss.

Some of the most important vitamins and minerals for healthy hair growth are iron, zinc and biotin. These nutrients play an important role in maintaining the regular hair growth cycle, something that could help to prevent excess shedding.

Hormonal changes

Sudden changes in your body weight could also disrupt the balance of hormones in your body. These hormonal shifts could interfere with your hair growth cycle, potentially causing your hair to fall out more quickly than usual.

Increased stress on the body

Your body experiences any major physical changes, including weight loss, as stress. Stress can trigger conditions like telogen effluvium, increasing the number of hairs in the shedding phase of your hair growth cycle and causing you to feel like you’re experiencing hair loss.

Will My Hair Grow Back After Mounjaro?

Hair loss that’s caused by telogen effluvium generally isn’t permanent. Your hair follicles aren’t damaged by the condition, it’s just that your hair spends longer in the shedding phase of the hair growth cycle.

Once your weight has stabilised and your body has adjusted to its new shape, your hair should return to its normal growth cycle. Most people with telogen effluvium find that their hair has fully regrown within six to 12 months.

How To Prevent And Manage Hair Loss On Mounjaro

If you’re currently undergoing weight loss treatment with Mounjaro, there are some steps you can take to minimise hair loss and even prevent shedding altogether.

It’s important to aim for steady weight loss. Dropping a lot of weight quickly could put your body under significant stress and trigger telogen effluvium. The general advice is to lose 1lb to 2lbs per week. This will help avoid putting unnecessary strain on your body and may prevent excess shedding.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet and staying well hydrated will help to ensure you get all of the essential nutrients you need to support healthy hair growth. Make sure you eat enough protein, iron, zinc and biotin as deficiencies in any of these nutrients could contribute to hair loss. If you feel your diet is lacking in any of these nutrients, you could consider taking supplements to boost your level of vitamins and minerals.

Managing your stress levels during Mounjaro treatment is also important for preventing further hair loss. High stress levels can exacerbate telogen effluvium and make your hair look and feel thinner. Consider introducing some stress-relieving practices into your daily routine. Exercise, meditation and journaling have all been shown to help people lower stress levels and unwind.

Using gentle hair care products during Mounjaro treatment, and avoiding excessive heat styling and harsh chemicals, may also reduce strain on your hair follicles. This could help to prevent excessive hair loss.

Last but not least, it’s important to be patient. Hair regrowth can take time, and becoming stressed over hair thinning could make the problem worse. Instead of worrying about hair loss, focus on your overall health. Eat a nutritious, balanced diet and give your body time to adjust to the changes it’s going through.

I’m Concerned About Hair Loss. What Can I Do?

We know that hair loss can be frustrating and even a little embarrassing. If you’re unsure whether or not Mounjaro is causing your hair loss, it may be a good idea to book a consultation with one of our clinicians. They’ll be able to take your symptoms and overall health into account to identify the underlying cause of your hair loss and recommend hair loss treatments that could protect your follicles and prevent excess shedding.

It is essential that you speak to a licensed medical professional before starting any weight loss medication. They can provide personalised, expert guidance, assess potential risks and ensure that your chosen treatment is safe and suitable for your health needs.

Mounjaro weight loss injections may cause sudden and significant changes to your body weight. This could trigger telogen effluvium, a condition that may cause your hair to become noticeably thinner. If you’re concerned about hair loss, or would like advice on managing hair loss on Mounjaro, book a consultation with a member of our clinical team and get the help and support you need to take charge of your health journey.

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