GLP-1 Therapies and Hair Loss: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence and Implications for Counseling

April 2026 in “ Science Progress ”

Aditya K. Gupta, Elizabeth M. Teasell, Vasiliki Economopoulos, Paradi Mirmirani

GLP-1 therapies glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists semaglutide tirzepatide androgenetic alopecia telogen effluvium liraglutide dulaglutide weight loss Ozempic Wegovy Mounjaro Saxenda Trulicity

TLDR GLP-1 therapies, especially semaglutide and tirzepatide, may cause hair loss, particularly in women and with rapid weight loss.

This systematic review evaluates the association between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and hair loss, identifying semaglutide and tirzepatide as having the highest incidence rates. Among the 24 studies included, androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium were the most reported subtypes, with tirzepatide frequently linked to telogen effluvium due to significant weight loss. Semaglutide's hair loss risk appears dose-dependent, affecting females more. Rapid weight loss is a potential contributor to telogen effluvium. Other GLP-1 RAs like liraglutide and dulaglutide showed lower risks. The review highlights the need for further research to understand the mechanisms, identify at-risk populations, and confirm causality through large-scale trials.

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research Increased Risk of Telogen Effluvium with Tirzepatide Compared to Other Weight-Loss Medications: A Retrospective Cohort TriNetX Database Study

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research Menopause and Hair Loss in Women: Exploring the Hormonal Transition

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GLP-1 receptor agonists can cause skin reactions, facial fat loss, and hair loss, but may help with wound healing and skin conditions.

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Newer GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide may cause hair loss.

research Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Medications and Hair Loss: A Retrospective Cohort Study

31 citations , January 2025 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

GLP-1 RA medications may be linked to hair loss.

research Frequency of Types of Alopecia in a Single-Center Hair Referral Clinic Over a Ten-Year Period

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research Risk of Suicide, Hair Loss, and Aspiration with GLP1-Receptor Agonists and Other Diabetic Agents: A Real-World Pharmacovigilance Study

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research Semaglutide and Hair Loss: A Real-World Analysis

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Semaglutide does not significantly increase the risk of hair loss.

research Treatment of Insulin Resistance With Tirzepatide Leading to Improvement of Hair Loss

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Tirzepatide may improve hair loss by reducing insulin resistance.

research Telogen Effluvium Associated with Weight Loss: A Single Center Retrospective Study

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Weight loss can cause temporary hair loss, especially in women and older adults.

research Overview of the Circadian Clock in the Hair Follicle Cycle

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research Hair Loss in Patients With Gastroparesis: A Sign of Nutritional Deficiency?

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research Comparative Evaluation Between Two Nutritional Supplements in the Improvement of Telogen Effluvium

9 citations , September 2018 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

One supplement improved hair loss and quality faster and more effectively than the other in treating telogen effluvium.

Hormones and Clocks: Do They Disrupt the Locks? Fluctuating Estrogen Levels During Menopausal Transition May Influence Clock Genes and Trigger Chronic Telogen Effluvium

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research Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor and Proglucagon Expression in Mouse Skin

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