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 Association Between Androgenetic Alopecia and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Treatment in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

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

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research Dermatologic Implications of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Medications: A Comprehensive Review

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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.

research Exploring the Hair Loss Risk in Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists: Emerging Concerns and Clinical Implications

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

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

January 2025 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Pattern hair loss is the most common type of alopecia.

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

January 2024 in “Annals of dermatology/Annals of Dermatology”

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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The circadian clock plays a key role in hair growth and its disruption can affect hair regeneration.

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

1 citations , February 2023 in “Digestive Diseases and Sciences”

Hair loss in gastroparesis patients may signal nutritional deficiencies and can improve with multivitamins.

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

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

3 citations , May 2016 in “Dermatology Online Journal”

Changing estrogen levels during menopause might affect genes related to body rhythms and cause increased hair loss.

research The Hair Follicle as an Estrogen Target and Source

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

37 citations , March 2006 in “Regulatory Peptides”

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