Your question, answered: Does Mounjaro cause hair loss?

From improving your overall well-being to giving you more energy to do the things you love, the benefits of reaching a healthy weight are endless. Also firmly on that list? Looking and feeling amazing in your own skin.

While it might sound superficial, many of us have a range where we feel the most beautiful, strong, and confident — and that can be a strong motivator to take control of our weight.

But, if you've been looking into the weight loss medication Mounjaro and have heard it can cause hair loss, alarm bells may be ringing. After all, it would be disappointing to get into your best shape — whether it's for a special event, or just life in general — only to realise your locks are falling out.

In this article, we answer the question "Can Mounjaro lead to hair loss?", and share practical tips for keeping your hair in tip-top condition when losing a significant amount of weight.

What is Mounjaro?

Containing the active ingredient tirzepatide, Mounjaro is an injectable medication that was originally developed for the treatment of type-2 diabetes.

However, in people with a BMI of 27 or over who also have related health conditions such as pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, it can also be used as a weight loss medication [1].

Mounjaro is a long-acting dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist — which means it works slightly differently than GLP-1 medications like Wegovy.

Mounjaro combines the effects of GIP and GLP-1, leading to a decreased appetite and directly impacting the pathways that lead to fat loss. Thanks to these effects, it can lead to significant weight loss.

Does Mounjaro cause hair loss?

Hair shedding is not a documented side effect of Mounjaro.

However, in a clinical trial from 2022, hair loss (otherwise known as alopecia) occurred in 4.9-5.7% of people using a 5-15 mg dose of Mounjaro, compared to just 0.9% of those in the placebo group [3].

Do other weight loss drugs cause hair loss?

In a trial of Wegovy (which contains the active ingredient semaglutide), hair loss was reported in 3% of adults taking the medication, compared to 1% using the placebo medication [3].

Nonetheless, hair loss is not considered to be a common side effect of weight loss medications. So, what's going on?

As it turns out, it likely has more to do with the process of rapid weight loss, rather than the medication itself. This is why hair shedding can also occur after bariatric weight loss surgery, or when losing weight through other means.

Can losing weight lead to hair loss?

Yes, losing weight quickly — whether it's through a medication like Mounjaro or simply diet and exercise — can result in hair shedding. This is due to a medical condition called telogen effluvium [4].

Typically, our hair goes through a fairly predictable cycle of hair growth (anagen), transformation (catagen) and rest (telogen). The resting phase usually lasts about 3 months and during this stage, our hair stops growing and sheds.

However, when the body undergoes metabolic stress due to rapid weight loss, it can trigger telogen effluvium. This can send more of your hair follicles (typically 7-35%) into the resting and shedding stage.

When this happens, you can expect to lose around 300 hairs per day, rather than the average 50-150 [5]. You might start to notice your hairline or ponytail looks thinner, or spot clumps of hair in the drain or on your hairbrush.

The good news is, this shedding effect is usually temporary. Once your weight begins to stabilise, you'll likely see your hair return to its usual thickness.

It's also important to note that telogen effluvium is not exclusive to weight loss.

Any stress to the body can trigger this condition, including serious illness, major physical trauma, childbirth, and psychological stress (which is why you'll often hear of people's hair starting to fall out when they're going through a difficult time).

How to prevent hair loss while on Mounjaro

The more rapid your weight loss, the more likely you are to experience this temporary hair thinning. So, to prevent it, the key is to go as slow and steady as possible.

When you're prescribed Mounjaro, your doctor will give you a dosing schedule [6]. This usually starts at, 2.5 mg a week for 4 weeks, followed by 5 mg for 4 weeks and if needed, 7.5 mg after 9 weeks.

It's extremely important to follow this schedule to a tee, to give your body time to adjust to the medication (and minimise the risk of other side effects).

This also helps ensure you lose weight sustainably (the recommended maximum weight loss is 0.5-1 kg per week), to reduce the risk of telogen effluvium and subsequent hair shedding.

Another reason that hair thinning can occur during weight loss is due to nutritional deficiencies. If you're lacking essential nutrients such as iron, vitamin D, zinc, B vitamins, and copper, this can disrupt the natural hair growth cycle [7]. You might also notice other symptoms, such as dry and dull skin or brittle nails.

Even when you're naturally eating less on a weight loss medication like Mounjaro, it's essential to ensure you're still eating a healthy diet with all the macro and micronutrients you need. This is why it can be a good idea to follow a structured meal plan created by an expert nutritionist or dietitian.

Tips for treating hair loss

The good news is, even if you do experience temporary hair loss, there are some easy things you can do to get your locks looking lush again.

Consider supplementation

If your hair loss is related to nutritional deficiencies, it may be useful to add hair health supplements to your daily routine. For example, biotin and zinc supplements have both been found to have a positive impact on hair growth in those experiencing thinning [8].

Collagen supplements have also been found to improve the strength of hair follicles, making them less prone to breakage — which is crucial as the hair starts to grow back.

You might also consider looking into a medical solution for hair loss like minoxidil. Available over the counter as a topical foam or liquid or via prescription as an ingestible medication, this has been found to be effective in treating hair loss [9].

However, it can take a few months to work, and should only be used under the guidance of a medical professional.

Fake it til you make it

While you're waiting for your hair to bounce back, there are things you can add to your grooming routine to create the illusion of fuller tresses.

For example, many women swear by hair extensions, whether they're clip-on, or taped into the hair for a semi-permanent solution.

If you find your hair is thinning around the hairline, another option is hair-building fibres. Made from the same protein as real hair, keratin, these can sprayed onto the hair for natural-looking thickness.

How you style your mane can also contribute to hair loss. For example, if your hair is susceptible to thinning and breakage, you'll likely want to avoid tight ponytails and braids for the time being. You'll also want to opt for soft hairbands or scrunchies where possible, especially if you tie your hair up to sleep.

It's also a good idea to avoid drying your hair too roughly or overdoing it with heat styling. A turban-style microfibre towel is a great way to naturally dry your hair without heat.

Fuel your body

To help get your body (and hair) back into a state of equilibrium, it's important to treat it with as much love and care as possible. This means reducing stress, and ensuring you're consuming a balanced diet with all the nutrients you need.

That said, this can be challenging when you're taking a weight loss medication like Mounjaro, and suddenly have a reduced desire to eat.

From ensuring you're eating sufficient protein to helping you manage potential side effects of your medication, Juniper's Weight Loss Programme helps you do things the healthy and sustainable way.

We combine medication with expert-led coaching to help make sure you feel amazing throughout the entire process. You even get access to a dietitian, who is there to support you one meal at a time.

Our patients can achieve 20% weight loss over a 12-month period, with many keeping it off for good.

Ready to start feeling your best, from head to toe? Check your eligibility here.

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