India
pti-Ashish Rana
The people who are fighting against weight loss has got one major boost like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, which has helped people to loose their weight rapidly. Till the time everything was good and people were much happier in loosing weight through medication but now dermatologists are raising concerns over how Ozempic or any medication related to it giving multiple side effects.
Dermatologists report increased hair shedding, known as ‘Ozempic Hair’, linked to rapid weight loss from GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, caused by metabolic shock and deficiencies, not the drug itself, as experts caution against unsupervised use.
Now the experts are saying that there are multiple people who have reports that who have lost excessive hairs after raid weight loss, which is now being called ‘Ozempic Hair’.
The doctors are saying that this condition is not directly connected with Ozempic but is actually connected with rapid weight loss. Actually the nutritional deficiencies and body’s response to major metabolic change could not able to adjust. They are also saying that these prescription drugs without medical supervision is adding much problem to people.
While these medications have become increasingly popular for managing obesity and diabetes, skin and hair specialists warn that their overuse, unsupervised consumption and over-the-counter use without medical advice are leading to a growing number of people experiencing temporary to significant hair loss.
According to Dr Gaurav Garg, Senior Dermatologist, Hair Transplant Surgeon, Dermato-Surgeon and Medical Director of Dermalife Skin and Hair Clinic, Delhi, the trend has become increasingly common in dermatology clinics over the past year.
“We are seeing a significant rise in patients complaining of excessive hair shedding after taking GLP-1 weight loss medications. Around 40 per cent of the weight loss drug users visiting our clinics are experiencing mild to significant hair loss, with many noticing hair falling out in large clumps while washing or combing.”
In most cases, the medication itself is not directly damaging the hair. The problem is rapid weight loss, nutritional deficiencies and the metabolic shock experienced by the body, he said.
“Unfortunately, we are also seeing people using these medications without proper medical supervision or obtaining them over the counter after being influenced by social media trends. Ozempic isn’t the enemy of your hair; malnutrition and metabolic shock are. By ensuring gradual weight loss and proper nutritional support under expert guidance, many of these problems can be prevented,” Dr Garg said.
Medical experts explain that “Ozempic Hair” is not a medically recognised disease but the popular name given to telogen effluvium, a temporary form of stress-induced hair loss.
Dr Neetu Bhari, Additional Professor in the Department of Dermatology at AIIMS, Delhi, said that rapid weight loss acts as a physical stressor, pushing a large number of hair follicles prematurely into the resting phase, causing noticeable shedding typically three to four months later.
“Reduced appetite during treatment can also lead to deficiencies of protein, iron, zinc and biotin, nutrients that are essential for healthy hair growth,” Dr Bhari said.
Study Suggests Hair Shedding May Be More Common
Recent scientific evidence suggests that the problem may be more common than initially believed.
A 2025 study published in PubMed Central (PMC), titled Prevalence and Predictors of Hair Shedding Among GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Users, found that nearly seven out of ten GLP-1 users reported some degree of hair shedding in real-world settings.
Earlier international estimates had placed the figure between 25 per cent and 33 per cent, indicating that the condition may be significantly under-recognised outside clinical trials.
Dr Bhari said patients often report finding excessive hair on pillows, bathroom floors and hairbrushes, while many notice thinning over the scalp and widening of the hair part.
“Although the condition is generally temporary and reversible, the sudden loss of hair can cause considerable emotional distress and anxiety, particularly among women and young adults,” she said.
Doctors Warn Against Self-Medication
Dr Bhari stressed that these drugs should never be taken without medical supervision.
Highlighting the growing concern over self-medication, Dr Garg said, “One of the biggest concerns today is that these weight loss injections are increasingly being viewed as quick-fix cosmetic solutions rather than prescription medicines meant for specific medical conditions. Many people begin taking them after watching social media content or on the advice of friends, without understanding the nutritional consequences.”
Hair shedding in most cases is temporary, but prevention is always better than treatment.
“These medications should never be used casually or without expert supervision. Anyone undergoing medical weight loss should also receive dietary counselling, adequate protein intake and regular monitoring to minimise the risk of hair loss and other nutritional complications.”
Echoing similar concerns, Dr Ramanjeet Singh, Director, Department of Dermatology, Medanta Hospital, said, “The emerging trend of ‘Ozempic Hair’ highlights the risks associated not only with rapid weight loss but also with the indiscriminate use of these medications without proper medical evaluation. We are increasingly seeing individuals obtaining weight loss drugs without specialist consultation or using them beyond recommended doses in pursuit of faster results.”
Hair shedding in such cases usually represents telogen effluvium triggered by rapid metabolic changes and nutritional deficiencies rather than permanent damage to the hair follicles.
The condition is generally reversible with timely intervention, balanced nutrition and medically supervised weight management, but prevention through responsible use remains the best approach, Dr Singh explained.
How to Prevent ‘Ozempic Hair’
Dermatologists advise that individuals considering any prescription weight loss medication should first undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation and should never self-medicate.
“Maintaining adequate daily protein intake, avoiding crash dieting, correcting iron and vitamin deficiencies wherever necessary and seeking early dermatological advice if excessive hair shedding develops can significantly reduce the severity and duration of the condition,” Dr Bhari said.
With the popularity of GLP-1 medications continuing to rise across India, Dr Bhari said greater public awareness is urgently needed.
“While these medicines have an established role in carefully selected patients under medical supervision, their growing cosmetic use, over-the-counter availability in some settings and unsupervised consumption are creating avoidable complications,” she said.
(With Inputs from PTI)
