Ozempic, a prescription drug containing the active ingredient Semaglutide is used to moderate the effects of type 2 diabetes—the drug works by helping the body produce more insulin. Ozempic gained in popularity because it made patients feel fuller for longer. The FDA approved Semaglutide in 2021 to aid weight loss using the injectable treatment under WeGovy or Mounjaro brands. WeGovy Mounjaro Ozempic has all been shown to be effective in clinical trials. However, they also had many side effects. One side effect affecting between 3 to 6% of the patients was hair loss. Imagine you have any hair loss. If you are experiencing hair loss in any form, it is best to consult a dermatologist who is board-certified and has extensive experience, like Dr. Michele Green. She can assess the situation to determine the cause of your hair loss and develop a treatment plan.
There are many types of hair loss. Alopecia areata or telogen effluvium are the most common types of hair loss when battling type 2 diabetes or if you are trying to lose weight fast. Scientists believe that type 2 diabetics are more likely to develop alopecia, a condition where the body attacks its hair follicles. Ozempic, used to fight obesity and promote weight control, can cause rapid weight loss, which may trigger a stress reaction in the body. This stress response could lead to telogen effluvium – hair loss caused by stress or trauma. Dr. Green offers solutions to help combat hair loss, regardless of the cause.
For over 25 years, Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City’s Upper East Side, has treated patients with expertise. Dr. Green has a great deal of experience in treating patients where they are and providing them with individualized treatment plans that best meet their needs and aesthetic goals. Dr. Green has many options for treating hair loss. These include PRP infusions, which strengthen the hair follicle to promote hair growth and prescription medications such as finasteride and Minoxidil. Dr. Green is well-known for his high patient satisfaction. He has consistently been voted one of New York City’s best healthcare providers in publications such as Castle Connolly Magazine, New York Times, and Super Doctors.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is traditionally used to treat diabetes and help regulate blood sugar. When it was discovered that the drug also helped manage body weight, this was studied and approved for weight loss treatment. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in this medication. It’s a GPL-1 drug that helps to promote insulin production. Ozempic has proven to be a highly effective option for treating type 2 diabetes. It reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, in Semaglutide patients.
Ozempic works for Type 2 Diabetes.
Ozempic, when used to treat type 2, is very effective in promoting insulin production. Insulin helps the body convert food glucose into energy. People with type 2 diabetes produce too little insulin to manage blood sugar levels effectively, which is dangerous. Semaglutide, found in Ozempic, acts as a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1, or GLP-1. GLP-1 is produced by the body to detect the nutrients we eat. Ozempic can manage absorption in three ways: first, it sees when blood sugar levels rise and increases insulin production in the pancreas. It also controls the amount of glucose produced in the liver to prevent blood sugar levels from getting too high. Thirdly, it slows digestion, so food stays in the stomach longer.
Wegovy is a weight loss product.
Ozempic’s weight loss was one of its most common side effects. Patients began using Ozempic as a weight-loss drug off-label. Ozempic was FDA approved in 2021 for weight loss and is now sold under the name WeGovy, as an injectable weight maintenance treatment. WeGovy inhibits appetite by allowing food to be digested slower and stay in the stomach longer. Patients are, therefore, less likely to eat and thus reduce their caloric intake, resulting in rapid weight loss.
What are the side effects of Ozempic?
Ozempic can cause many side effects. Patients should be cautious before taking it for weight loss or type 2 diabetes. Side effects of Ozempic include:
- Constipation, diarrhea, and nausea are all symptoms of digestive problems.
- Hyperglycemia is a low blood sugar condition that can cause blurred vision, sweating, and anxiety. It may also lead to headaches, dizziness, or shakiness.
- Elevated heartbeat
- Kidney Failure
- Medullary thyroid cancer is also known as medullary carcinoma.
- Severe allergic reactions
Inform your doctor immediately if you have any severe side effects.
Is hair fall a side-effect of Ozempic?
Ozempic does not list hair loss as a possible side effect, but some patients who take the medication Ozempic for type 2 diabetics may experience it. Researchers believe the hair loss and baldness experienced by patients taking Ozempic are more likely to be caused by the underlying disease. Alopecia is a condition that causes hair thinning or hair loss. Type 2 diabetes may be a factor. Alopecia areata is one type of alopecia that can be caused by type 2 diabetes. It is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its cells, causing them to shrink and stop producing new hair. Ozempic controls the symptoms of type 2 diabetes through insulin production, but the underlying condition, which can cause hair loss, still exists.
Ozempic and hair loss?
NBC reports that while Ozempic doesn’t list hair loss among its side effects, a clinical study testing the efficacy of Ozempic versus WeGovy in weight loss found 3% of participants experienced hair fall as a result of treatment, compared to 1% of those who were given a placebo. The hair loss was most likely caused by the stress from rapid weight loss and reduced caloric intake. It wasn’t the medication. Telogen effluvium is a form of hair loss that can occur when the body experiences significant trauma or stress. Telogen effluvium occurs when there is temporary hair loss following a significant trauma, such as weight loss, surgery, or pregnancy. Under pressure, the body stops non-essential functions, including hair growth. The hair enters a resting phase and sheds significantly six months after a traumatic event. Telogen effluvium, however, is usually a temporary condition. Once the stress has passed, the hair will resume its normal growth cycle.
Ozempic causes hair loss?
You may have noticed influencers on social media, like TikTok or Instagram, posting about hair fall as a side-effect of Ozempic. These people are usually taking Ozempic for weight loss or WeGovy. They post pictures of the inside of their showers, where hair has been thrown down the drain. Hair loss may occur when patients take Ozempic. However, the cause of hair loss and thinning is not the medication. The body can be under stress when weight loss is sudden and dramatic. This can lead to a hair loss condition called telogen effluvium.
Is Ozempic a cause of hair loss?
New York and Los Angeles patients want to lose weight fast to look like the models featured in Getty images. Ozempic and WeGovy are two weight-loss drugs that some may use. While the drugs do not cause hair loss or thinning, the reduced calorie intake or stress from losing weight rapidly can lead to thinning hair. Patients must consume more nutrients to see their hair growth and texture suffer. For weight loss, patients must follow a healthy eating plan during and after WeGovy.
Ozempic and hair loss in Type 2 Diabetics
Even when taking Ozempic, type 2 diabetes can affect hair growth and cause thinning. Ozempic can help to reduce the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. It does this by increasing insulin in the pancreas and preventing too much sugar from being released from the liver when blood sugar is low. Ozempic may help with the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, but the underlying condition can still cause hair loss. In her Upper East Side dermatology practice, Dr. Green offers many options. The first step is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Green to achieve fuller and healthier hair.
Ozempic hair loss: How to stop it?
In Dr. Michele Green’s New York City dermatology practice, there are many options for treating hair loss. Many over-the-counter treatments are available, including supplements such as biotin. The most potent and effective treatments will be those prescribed or performed by a board-certified dermatologist such as Dr. Green. Dr. Green often begins by focusing on the following treatments:
PRP For Hair Loss – Platelet-rich plasma injections can be a highly effective treatment for hair loss. They strengthen hair follicles, activate growth factors and increase hair growth. The solution is made from the patient’s blood and centrifuged to separate the platelet-rich Plasma, which feeds and regenerates hair follicles after injection into the scalp. Treatment results in a more extended hair growth phase, thicker hair follicles, and denser, healthy hair. Patients with telogen effluvium can benefit from PRP to boost hair growth.
Hair Loss Treatment – Minoxidil was initially used to treat hypertension, high blood pressure, and other conditions. However, it has also effectively treated hair disorders like alopecia at low doses. The medication increases blood flow to hair follicles which helps improve hair density and lengthens the hair growth phase. Topical Minoxidil is also available, but it may hurt hair texture. It is best to consult an expert dermatologist, such as Dr. Green, when determining the correct dosage of oral Minoxidil.
Finasteride stimulates hair follicles’ growth to promote new hair growth. The medication inhibits the hormone dihydrotestosterone, which is partially responsible for hair fall. Hair loss can be slowed by up to 70% when DHT is reduced.
Ozempic makes your hair grow.
Ozempic was developed to treat type 2 diabetes. It modifies insulin levels to reduce weight and helps to moderate the symptoms. Patients may experience hair fall while taking Ozempic. This is usually due to diabetes or sudden weight loss. Ozempic is not a medication that causes hair growth and shouldn’t be used for this purpose.
Can I grow my hair back after stopping Ozempic?
Ozempic is a weight loss drug that can cause hair loss in patients three to six months after treatment. This occurs due to the stress on the body when the calorie intake decreases. Telogen effluvium is the term used to describe hair loss caused by trauma or stress. Telogen effluvium can be very distressing. However, it is usually only temporary, and hair will grow back after the tension is resolved. Dr. Green suggests that PRP injections can help hair grow back faster and with a high density.
Hair loss treatments: Get started today!
Dr. Green can help if you’re experiencing hair loss due to type 2 diabetes, sudden weight loss, or medication. Many factors can cause hair loss, and the best treatment will depend on what is causing it. Dr. Green works with patients to identify the cause of hair loss and thinning. He then creates an individualized treatment plan to boost hair growth and density. Dr. Michele Green is an internationally recognized board-certified dermatologist for her expertise in non-invasive treatments, including those for hair loss and thinning.
