Does Wegovy cause hair loss?

Yes, hair loss can happen while taking Wegovy, although most people won’t experience it.

Noticing more hair than usual in your brush, on your pillow or in the shower can understandably feel worrying, particularly when other parts of your treatment are going well. But this type of hair loss is often temporary, and your hair can grow back.

In this guide, we’ll look at why hair loss can happen during Wegovy treatment, how common it is and practical ways to look after your hair while you’re losing weight.

Is hair loss a side effect of Wegovy?

Yes, hair loss is a recognised side effect of Wegovy. The official product information lists it as a common side effect, which means it may affect up to 1 in 10 people.

However, most people taking Wegovy don’t experience it. In clinical trials, 2.5% of people taking Wegovy reported hair loss, compared with 1% taking a placebo. That means around 97.5% of people taking Wegovy in these trials didn’t report hair loss. When it did happen, most cases were mild.

Wegovy contains semaglutide, which works by mimicking a natural hormone involved in appetite regulation. It helps you feel fuller and less hungry, supporting you to eat less and lose weight.

Researchers are still understanding exactly why hair loss can happen during treatment. However, clinical trials found it was reported more often by people who lost 20% or more of their body weight, suggesting that the weight loss itself may play a role.

Does Wegovy cause hair loss in women specifically?

We don’t know for certain whether women are more likely than men to experience hair loss while taking Wegovy. The official product information doesn’t report hair loss rates separately for women and men.

However, some research suggests there could be a difference. A 2025 study of people without diabetes found that women taking semaglutide had a higher risk of hair loss than women taking another weight loss medicine, while researchers didn’t find a clear association in men.

Even so, this study hasn’t yet been peer reviewed, meaning it hasn’t been independently assessed by other experts. More research is needed before we can say whether Wegovy-related hair loss is more likely to affect women.

Why can Wegovy cause hair loss?

One likely explanation is a temporary type of hair shedding called telogen effluvium. It’s a recognised response to weight loss and changes in diet, both of which can happen while taking Wegovy.

Rapid weight loss and telogen effluvium

According to the British Association of Dermatologists, telogen effluvium is when more hair than usual falls out from your scalp because illness, stress, or a major change in the body disrupts your hair’s natural cycle.

Your hair grows in cycles. At any one time, around 85% of the hair follicles on your scalp are in a growing phase. The other 15% or so are in a resting phase, after which those hairs fall out. Losing between 30 and 150 hairs a day is typical.

After a big change in the body, more hairs can switch into the resting phase at once. DermNet lists weight loss, an unusual diet, and nutritional deficiencies (such as low iron) among the recognised triggers, and the NHS lists weight loss, stress, illness, and iron deficiency as causes.

The timing can be confusing. Shedding usually becomes noticeable 2-4 months after the triggering event, so you might feel great in your first few months on Wegovy and only then notice extra hairs in your brush.

Nutrition and eating less on Wegovy

Wegovy reduces your appetite, which is part of how it helps you lose weight. But eating less can make it harder to get all the nutrients your body, and your hair, needs.

Protein is especially important. The British Nutrition Foundation recommends that adults eat 0.75g of protein per kilogram of bodyweight daily, from a variety of foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts. These foods provide protein for growth and repair, and they’re also the main source of iron for healthy blood.

The British Association of Dermatologists says a balanced diet including foods rich in iron and protein, plus fresh fruit and vegetables, may be helpful.

Iron deserves a special mention. A review in Dermatology and Therapy notes that iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, and it’s linked to telogen effluvium. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, so pairing iron-rich foods with vitamin C sources, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, or peppers, can help.

Supplements aren’t automatically necessary, and more isn’t always better. The same review notes that too much vitamin A or selenium can actually contribute to hair loss. If you’re worried you might be low in something like iron, speak to your GP or your myBMI clinician before starting a supplement. A simple blood test can check for iron deficiency and rule out other causes, such as thyroid problems.

“Seeing more hair than usual in your brush or shower can be upsetting, especially when you’re already adjusting to lots of changes. If Wegovy has reduced your appetite, try prioritising protein when you do eat, rather than putting pressure on yourself to finish a large meal. Giving your body the nutrition it needs can help support healthy hair growth, and this kind of shedding is often temporary.”

Niya MansuriPrescribing Pharmacist

How to avoid hair loss on Wegovy

There’s no guaranteed way to prevent hair loss on Wegovy, but looking after your nutrition and being gentle with your hair may help.

Eat little and often, with protein first

Small, regular meals and snacks can make it easier to get enough nutrients when appetite is low. Try eating the protein on your plate first, and include iron-rich foods like eggs, fish, lean meats, beans, and lentils, alongside fresh fruits and vegetables.

Follow your dosing schedule

Hair loss was reported more often in people who lost a larger amount of weight. Stick to the dosing schedule your clinician has set, rather than trying to speed things up. Steady, sustainable progress should always be the goal.

Be gentle with your hair

The British Association of Dermatologists recommends that people with telogen effluvium:

• avoid harsh brushing or combing
• limit tight hairstyles
• limit heated tools, such as hairdryers, straighteners, and curlers
• avoid bleaching, relaxing, or other harsh chemical treatments

Look after your overall wellbeing

Stress is also a recognised trigger for telogen effluvium, so finding ways to manage stress may help. If you smoke, cutting down or stopping may help too, as it can make hair loss worse.

How to stop hair loss from Wegovy

If you’re already noticing shedding, there’s no instant fix, but it usually settles on its own. In the meantime, the following steps can help.

Choose gentle hair products

Using mild shampoo and other haircare products may help. However, there’s no shampoo that will make your hair regrow, so be wary of products that promise this.

Keep taking your treatment unless advised otherwise

The EMC notes that most people with hair loss recovered while continuing Wegovy. Do not stop taking your medication without speaking to your clinician first.

Give your hair time

Telogen effluvium usually gets better without any treatment. The shedding phase lasts 3-6 months, and new hair then starts to grow. It can take many months for your hair to feel as full as it did before.

Know when to seek clinical support

Some hair loss isn’t linked to Wegovy at all. We recommend seeing your GP if you:

• have areas of hair loss that are itchy or sore
• are losing hair in clumps
• have sudden hair loss
• are worried about your hair loss

You can also speak to our clinicians at any point during your treatment. If your shedding isn’t improving after a few months, your GP can check for other possible causes.

Is Wegovy hair loss permanent?

For most people, no. Hair loss linked to Wegovy is usually temporary, and the EMC reports that most people recovered while continuing their treatment.

Because telogen effluvium is a disruption to your hair’s natural cycle, new hair starts to grow once the shedding phase passes. DermNet notes that, in most cases, hair recovers within 6-9 months. It’s very unusual for telogen effluvium to cause thinning severe enough to need a wig.

If your hair isn’t improving, it’s worth seeing your GP, as the NHS notes that some types of hair loss, such as male and female pattern baldness, are lasting.

Get support with your Wegovy side effects

Hair loss can really take a toll on your confidence, especially when you're working hard towards your goals. You don’t have to manage it alone.

Hair loss is just one possible side effect of Wegovy. For more information, check out our guide to Wegovy side effects.

Every myBMI treatment plan includes ongoing clinical support. If side effects are affecting your everyday life, our clinicians are here to listen, answer your questions, and help you find a way forward that works for you.

Sources

• Risk of Hair Loss with Semaglutide for Weight Loss. (2025) medRxiv. [Accessed 30 September 2026]
• Telogen effluvium. (2025) British Association of Dermatologists. [Accessed 1 October 2026]
• Telogen effluvium (hair shedding). (2019) DermNet. [Accessed 1 October 2026]
• The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review. (2018) Dermatology and Therapy. [Accessed 30 September 2026]
• Wegovy 1 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) (2026) EMC. [Accessed 1 October 2026]
• Wegovy Patient Information Leaflet (2026) EMC. [Accessed 1 October 2026]
• Hair loss (2024) NHS. [Accessed 1 October 2026]