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Heard that hair loss may be a side effect of GLP-1s? Here we look at the potential science behind this and how we can all support our hair health with nutrition and beyond
Summary
1Can GLP-1 medication lead to hair loss?
Yes, it can happen for some people taking GLP-1 medications, with one study of a GLP-1 medication showing 5-6% of people experienced hair loss.
2Are there nutrients that support hair health?
Yes. Zinc, selenium and biotin help maintain normal hair, while protein and iron are important for overall nutrition.
3Why can weight loss lead to hair loss?
Rapid weight loss in particular can act as a stressor to the body, which can cause more hair to be shed from your scalp than usual.
If you’ve noticed more hair than usual in your brush or shower since starting a GLP-1 medication, it’s understandable to wonder whether the two could be connected. Hair changes have been reported by some people taking GLP-1s, but there’s more to the story than the medication itself.
From rapid weight loss and eating less to whether you’re getting enough of the nutrients your hair needs, several factors can influence hair health along the way. So, what might be going on – and, importantly, what can you do to support healthy hair while taking a GLP-1? Let’s take a closer look.
Can taking a GLP-1 affect your hair?
Potentially. Hair loss has been reported by some people taking GLP-1 medications, although it doesn’t affect everyone and researchers are still working out exactly why it happens. In one study of tirzepatide, around 5–6% of participants reported hair loss, while research into GLP-1 medications in general has produced mixed results.2,3
One possible explanation may be what’s happening alongside GLP-1 use, rather than the medication directly. Losing weight quickly, eating significantly fewer calories or not getting enough of certain nutrients can all put extra stress on the body.4,5 In some people, this may disrupt the normal hair-growth cycle and cause more hairs than usual to enter the shedding phase.
Researchers are also exploring whether hormonal changes involving insulin and androgens such as testosterone, or effects on the hair follicle itself, could play a role.4,6 However, these proposed mechanisms are still uncertain, and there’s plenty we don’t know about the relationship between GLP-1 medications and hair loss.
The reassuring part? Hair shedding associated with rapid weight loss is often temporary. Once weight and nutritional intake stabilise, the normal hair-growth cycle is likely to gradually recover – although this can take time.5
Why can weight loss sometimes lead to hair thinning?
Your hair is constantly moving through a natural cycle of growing, resting and shedding – and losing some hair every day is completely normal. But significant or rapid weight loss can sometimes disrupt this cycle, leading to noticeably more shedding than usual.5,7 This is known as telogen effluvium, a temporary form of hair loss that can happen when the body experiences a significant physical or emotional change.5,7 As well as rapid weight loss, potential triggers include major stress, surgery, childbirth and certain medications.5,7
So, what’s actually happening to your hair? More hairs than usual move out of the active growth phase (anagen) and into the resting and shedding phase (telogen). You might not notice the effects straight away – increased shedding can appear a few months after the initial trigger.7
Rapid weight loss can also go hand in hand with eating fewer calories and getting less of the nutrients your body needs, which may contribute to changes in hair health.5 The good news is that telogen effluvium is usually temporary. Shedding commonly lasts around three to six months, after which hair usually begins to grow back – although it can take time for your hair to regain its previous fullness.7
What nutrients support healthy hair?
Healthy hair starts with what’s on your plate. And if you’re eating less while taking a GLP-1, making sure the food you do eat provides enough protein, vitamins and minerals can become particularly important.8 Protein is a good place to start. Hair is largely made from a protein called keratin, so your body needs an adequate supply of dietary protein to provide the amino acids used to build it.9 Not getting enough protein – particularly alongside a very low-calorie diet or rapid weight loss – may contribute to hair shedding.8
If you’re searching for the best hair supplement while on a GLP-1, remember that supplements aren’t a substitute for a varied, balanced diet. A good first step is making sure you’re getting enough protein and other essential nutrients from the food you eat – and speaking to a healthcare professional if you’re concerned about any deficiencies.
How to eat well to support healthy hair on GLP-1
When you’re eating less, making every mouthful count can help. Rather than focusing on individual ‘hair foods’, aim to build meals around a source of protein, then add a variety of fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, nuts, seeds and other nutrient-rich foods around it.
Start with protein
Meat, fish, eggs and dairy are all useful sources, while beans, lentils, tofu, nuts and seeds can help support your intake if you eat a plant-based diet. Many of these foods come with other hair-friendly nutrients too. Meat and seafood, for example, can provide zinc and iron, while nuts and seeds can contribute zinc and selenium.11-13
Think about what you pair together
Plant-based sources of iron include beans, lentils, peas, nuts, seeds and dark green vegetables such as broccoli.12 Eating these alongside vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, strawberries and potatoes can help your body absorb the iron more effectively.14,15 Try adding peppers to a lentil dish, berries alongside an iron-rich breakfast or broccoli with your evening meal.
If iron is something you’re particularly conscious of, it may also be worth saving your cup of tea or coffee for between meals, as tea and coffee can reduce iron absorption when consumed around the same time as iron-rich foods.14
Don’t get too hung up on biotin
Although it’s often associated with hair supplements, biotin is found in foods including eggs, fish, meat, nuts, seeds and sweet potatoes. Our gut bacteria can also produce it, so the NHS says it’s unclear whether we need additional biotin from our diet.16,17
What about supplements?
Supplements may have a place if you’re struggling to meet your nutritional needs through food or have been advised to take one by a healthcare professional. This can be particularly relevant if you exclude certain food groups – people following a vegan diet, for example, need to pay closer attention to nutrients including vitamin B12, vitamin D, selenium and iodine.18
And if you’re experiencing a lack of appetite since starting a GLP-1, don’t feel you have to figure out your diet alone. Speak to the healthcare professional overseeing your medication about how to meet your nutritional needs while you’re eating less – particularly if you’re experiencing hair loss or are concerned about deficiencies.
Lifestyle habits that can help your hair
If your hair is already shedding more than usual, now probably isn’t the time to put it through its paces. While changing your haircare routine won’t address the underlying cause of telogen effluvium, treating your hair gently may help minimise unnecessary breakage and damage while it recovers.
The British Association of Dermatologists recommends avoiding vigorous brushing and cutting back on excessive heat from hairdryers, straighteners and other heated styling tools.7 Tight hairstyles that repeatedly pull on the hair are worth avoiding too, as are harsh chemical treatments such as bleaching and relaxing.7
When should you seek advice about hair loss?
If you’re taking a GLP-1 medication and experience hair loss, are concerned about how quickly you’re losing weight or struggling to eat enough, you should speak to a healthcare professional as soon as you notice it.19 They can discuss ways to support your hair health and review whether any changes to your treatment or nutritional intake may be appropriate.
Hair loss and GLP-1 FAQs
GLP-1 hair loss or GLP-1 hair thinning may happen for a number of reasons. Rapid weight loss, eating fewer calories and not getting enough of certain nutrients, such as iron and protein, may all play a part. Researchers are also exploring whether hormonal changes or effects on the hair-growth cycle itself could be involved.4-6,8
It’s hard to know if hair loss can be completely prevented on GLP-1s, as research into GLP-1 medications and hair loss is still developing. It may not be completely preventable for some people, particularly if weight loss is rapid. But you can support your hair health by avoiding overly rapid weight loss and making sure you’re getting enough nutrients from your diet.7,20-21
Hair loss associated with weight loss is usually reversible. It may be that hair starts to grow back when weight is maintained rather than being lost and a normal amount of calories and nutrients are being consumed again.5
The final say
Noticing changes to your hair can be unsettling, especially when you’re already adjusting to changes in your body and appetite. But increased shedding doesn’t necessarily mean your hair has been permanently affected. For now, focus on what you can control: eating enough protein and a varied range of nutrient-rich foods, being gentle with your hair and giving it time.
Want to give your hair a little extra TLC? Discover which vitamins and nutrients can support healthy hair, explore our guide to the best hair oils for every hair type or browse our hair care range for more ways to look after your hair.
Disclaimer – This article is intended to support general wellness and hair health only and does not provide advice for the use of GLP-1 medications. If you are prescribed a GLP-1 medicine, your dietary intake and overall health should be monitored by your prescriber or another qualified healthcare professional.
Any symptoms or side effects, including changes to appetite, digestion or bowel habits, or hair loss should be discussed with your prescriber or a healthcare professional, as these may indicate that your current treatment or dosage needs review. If you are struggling to consume regular, balanced meals, this should also be reported to your prescriber.
Always check with a prescriber or healthcare professional before introducing new foods, supplements or products alongside medication, as there may be interactions or contraindications.
1. de Gálvez MV, Aguilera J, Bernabó JL, Sánchez-Roldán C, Herrera-Ceballos E. Human Hair as a Natural Sun Protection Agent: A Quantitative Study. Photochemistry and Photobiology [Internet]. 2015 July 1 [cited 2026 Aug 27];91(4):966–70. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25682789/
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