Hairstylists, the medical expert confirms this side effect for Ozempic users

Side effects from GLP-1 may vary, but a less well-known reported output of popular weight loss is hair loss or thinning.

Some hairstyles have confirmed a rise of customers complaining about hair loss while on weight loss trips.

This includes Ashley Dimatteo, owner of Ashley Lauren Beauty Lounge in Westchester, New York, and Briana Delvecchio, a color specialist and hairdresser in the Dimatteo salon. The two spoke to Fox News Digital in a camera interview.

“There has definitely been an increase in clients who come with hair loss,” Dimatteo said, noting that it goes from gradual to fasting, and from thinning to hair loss completely.

Delvecchio agreed that she had “some” clients to come to the reporting of thinner and drier hair, which she suspects could be due to the weight loss medication.

Hairstylist, who himself takes a GLP-1 drug, said there may be several reasons for hair changes, including new medicines, vitamin deficiencies and weight loss, which can put stress in the body.

Becky Watt, an Ohio hairstylist with more than 20 years of experience, said she also noticed clients who lossed her hair while taking weight loss medicines.

“I’ve seen rarely and spilling, and a lot of hair comes out very easily when washing,” she told Fox News Digital. “I have not noticed any bald stains.”

However, she has had some clients who are taking medication without any hair loss, Watt added.

Medical factors

In a special interview, Dr. Philip Rabito, a New York City endocrinologist, said the reaction, called the Telogen Effluvium, is a response to the weight loss affecting the hair gland.

The answer is only temporary, he noted. The hair will fall out, then increase again after the weight loss stabilizes after a few months.

“It is a response to severe physical stress and weight loss is considered hunger,” Rabito said. “It is the speed of weight loss associated with the amount of hair loss.”

Before weight loss medication, traditional bariatric surgery would lead to the loss of 70% of the body’s excess weight in about six months, said Rabito, which was often followed by hair loss within six to nine months.

“Your body does not realize that this is a healthy weight loss – your body thinks it is hungry,” he repeated. “It happens almost everyone, for some people more than others.”

Those who lose more repeated weight are at higher risk of hair loss, Rabito said, as well as those who have a basic thyroid issue or micronutrient deficiency, usually in iron, B12, or vitamin D.

These vitamin deficiencies can deteriorate while weight loss occurs, so it is important to work with a medical professional to balance these levels, according to your doctor.

“From what I learned from talking to these particular customers, it seems that clients who are still eating do not have hair loss,” watt noticed.

“It seems my customers who say they don’t have any appetite whatever they lose more hair,” she continued. “I believe this is probably due to the lack of nutrients and proteins, though I’m not a doctor.”

Hair loss management tips

Dimatteo and Delvecchio agreed that “always” advise their clients to see their doctor for a vitamin level check.

“And we will also reduce their hair routine,” Dimatteo said. “Basically, less is more during hair loss.”

The salon owner suggested to continue with head treatment, reducing the use of heat, washing from the bottom up and avoiding go to bed with wet hair.

“Check with your doctor about your weight loss or your endocrinologist before you come to us to exclude iron, vitamin D, or anything you miss-we should exclude it before we can help you,” Delvecchio said.

“Then we will tell you that we have to work on your head health; we will give you shampoo and air conditioner that may be a little softer for your hair.”

“Head stimulation is huge,” Dimatteo added.

“Rinse with fresh water also helps. Try not to make tougher treatments in the sense of lighting or coloring – spread it as much as possible.”

Rabito noted that hair loss is “part of the game”. He said he always warns his patients before starting their journey for weight loss that this is most likely to happen and is a “sign of success”.

“They will lose their hair,” he said. “It will worsen before it gets better.”

“But as long as you control the controlled vitamins, get them adequately repeated – when the patient’s plates and the weight is stable for a month or two, the body no longer understands hunger, and the body is less stressed, then the hair grows better than ever.”

Watt said she often recommends a hair vitamin for her customers who fight weight loss. “The diet also has a lot of connection with her,” she noted.

It also recommended the use of a shampoo and air conditioner that are formulated to resist the thinning and loss of hair, along with a bond construction hair product.

Dimatteo and Delvecchio provided those who are experiencing hair loss that regrowth takes time, and that there is no need for excessive hair growth treatments.

Delvecchio added, “Hair loss is temporary. Its’e’e’e a positive and worth it.”

When previously contacted by Fox News Digital, Novo Nordisk – Ozepic and Wegovy manufacturer – confirmed that hair loss is a risk identified for semaglutides, and is listed as a side effect on product information.

“In Wegovy’s clinical tests, hair loss was reported in 2.5% of adult patients treated with Wegovy against 1.0% of adult patients treated with placebo,” the company spokesman said at the time.

“Hair loss was most often reported in patients with greater weight loss (≥ 20%), suggesting that hair loss events were potentially related to weight loss size.”

“The patient’s safety is of great importance to Novo Nordisk,” the statement continued. “We are constantly monitoring the safety profile of our products and working closely with the authorities to ensure the patient’s safety, including adequate hair loss information.”