Nia Watson
Tue, August 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC
The popularity of GLP medications like Ozempic and Zepbound are exploding as more people use them to shed weight
Doctors and patients have reported a connection between some of these medications and hair loss
Now, new pre-publication research is showing that one of these popular medications, in particular, has more of an effect on hair shedding than the other
GLP medication is everywhere right now, and its popularity shows no signs of abating. Between 2024 and 2026 alone, GLP-1 for weight loss in the U.S. grew from 3 percent to 11 percent, according to the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index. And although the side effects of these medications on skin health are still being uncovered, new research suggests that hair loss could be a possibility
A recent yet-to-be-publised study from nference Labs compared the occurrence of alopecia in patients on the GLP-2 medication tirzepatide (brand name Zepbound or Mounjaro) with its occurrence in those using the GLP-1 medication semaglutide (brand name Ozempic, or Wegovy). The results found that “among 8,985 female patients, incident alopecia occurred in 5.44% of tirzepatide users, versus 3.63% of semaglutide users.”
Should GLP-1 users be concerned about losing extra strands? Mona Gohara, MD, a clinical professor at the department of dermatology for Yale School of Medicine says that not all users may be affected by this. Weight loss and hair shedding are common side effects of these medications, she says, but this is usually temporary. However, she adds that “persistent shedding, bald patches, scalp pain, inflammation, or signs of scarring should be evaluated by a dermatologist.”
Meet the experts:Mona Gahanna, MD, is a clinical professor at the department of dermatology for Yale School of Medicine. Viktoriya Kazlouskaya, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist with a specialty in hair loss and owner of Dermatology Circle
Since the study was observational, Dr. Gohara says that the difference in results between tirzepatide and semaglutide cannot signal for sure why these medications are related to hair loss. ”The study is a pre-print and has not yet been peer reviewed, so these findings are important but still need further confirmation,” she says
We spoke with experts about the results of this new study, and what that means for GLP-1 users concerned for their hair health. Here is what they had to say
What Did The Study Find?
The retrospective study pulled health records from a network of 30 million patients. The researchers then assessed new users of tirzepatide and semaglutide (without a history of alopecia) for hair loss over a period of twelve months. And after six months, the results showed “incident alopecia had occurred in 1.55 percent of tirzepatide users versus 1.24 percent of semaglutide users, widening by 12 months to 4.20 percent versus 2.88 percent, respectively.”
This difference was the case both for patients who lost minimal weight, and even for those who lost 20 to 30 percent of their body weight. “What makes this study interesting is that even after researchers matched patients for how much weight they lost, hair loss remained somewhat more common with tirzepatide: 4.24 percent versus 3.33 percent,” Dr. Gohara says. “That suggests weight loss may not be the entire explanation.”
You might be wondering what makes these two medications different, and how that could impact hair growth and loss. Dr. Gohara says that tirzepatide acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, while semaglutide acts primarily on GLP-1 receptors. She says the theory is that the two drugs might affect the environment around the hair follicle differently, but that this isn’t known for sure yet
Rather than everyone across the board being at risk, the research shows that some patients may be more susceptible to developing alopecia than others. The study also indicates hair loss was more commonly documented among women—particularly those with pre-existing conditions
What Do The Doctors Say?
Temporary hair loss from weight loss, illnesses, hormonal changes, and physical stress is called “telogen effluvium,” Dr. Gohara says. It’s a common occurrence that appears at the top, back, and sides of the head, but can increase in prevalence among women between 30 and 60 years old Normal hair growth has three cycles: growing, resting, and shedding
“The good news is that the follicles aren’t necessarily permanently damaged,” Dr. Gohara says. “Once the trigger settles, the cycle can reset and hair can begin growing again.”
But for some people, this may not be a temporary thing. When GLP-1 inhibitors first became widely used, Viktoriya Kazlouskaya, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with a specialty in hair loss and the owner of Dermatology Circle noticed an acceleration in the onset of hair thinning. “Some patients developed visible patches of hair loss that were more characteristic of alopecia areata,” which is an autoimmune, hair loss condition
“It is of paramount importance to have a thorough evaluation, including dermoscopy, to distinguish alopecia areata, pattern hair loss, and other types of hair loss,” Dr. Kazlouskaya adds. The treatment options can vary, she says, so it’s important to consult a dermatologist for a skin test as soon as you notice something might be wrong
The Bottom Line
As an observational study, this research does not include factors outside of weight loss that can cause also cause hair loss. “People with conditions including hypothyroidism, menstrual irregularities, and PCOS may be more susceptible to shedding,” Dr. Gohara says. (And if you’re looking for some proven ways to battle hair loss at home, there are some below.)
Nutrient deficiency is another part of the issue that can increase risk. “Make sure you are getting enough calories and protein, avoiding losing weight too rapidly when possible, and talking to your doctor about other contributors such as iron deficiency or thyroid disease,” Dr. Gohara says. “Emotional stress, other medications, or pre-existing hair thinning can add to the load.”
“And don’t automatically stop a medically beneficial GLP-1 because you see extra hair in the shower,” she adds. “Talk to your prescribing physician first.”
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