How Weight Loss Medications Like Ozempic Impact Your Skin and Hair

It’s hard to ignore the advertisements for the new weight loss wonder drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Trulicity. While the results of these drugs are impressive, before you jump on the band wagon, make sure you understand how they can affect your skin and hair.

What Are GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (Weight Loss Medications) Like Ozempic?

GLP-1 receptor agonists were created to treat diabetes. They mimic a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 by creating insulin when your blood sugar spikes. Insulin helps move glucose out of your bloodstream and into cells to be used for energy. Because people with diabetes don’t create enough insulin, GLP-1 receptor agonists are the perfect treatment for them.1

Doctors noticed that diabetic patients taking a GLP-1 agonist lost weight more easily, and they realized it might help others lose weight as well.

GLP-1 agonists curbing your hunger by slowing the movement of food from your stomach to your small intestines, leaving you feeling fuller longer and reducing how much you eat.1

They aren’t for everyone. Don’t use GLP-1 receptor agonists if you have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer, endocrine neoplasia, or pancreatitis.

Also avoid them if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How Can These Medications Affect Your Skin? 

People taking GLP-1 agonists report changes to their skin, like deeper wrinkles, sagging skin, or changes in lips, cheeks, and chin. Studies have shown these traits aren’t caused by GLP-1 agonists. They’re the result of the sudden weight loss that can occur when taking them.2 You may also notice:

• Skin dehydration and dullness: Loss of appetite can also reduce the amount of water you drink. When you get dehydrated, your skin looks dry and dull. 
• Increased breakouts: Sudden weight loss or changes in insulin levels can cause hormone fluctuations, triggering oily skin and clogged pores that lead to acne breakouts.3
• Sensitivity or delayed wound healing: Your food’s slower trip through the intestines, can affect nutrient absorption, causing increased skin inflammation and difficulty with wound healing.5

How Can These Medications Affect Hair Loss and Thinning?

A small, but significant percentage of people taking GLP-1 agonists for weight loss report hair thinning. While a direct effect hasn’t been shown in studies to date, it’s well known that stress can cause sudden hair loss, a reversible condition called telogen effluvium (TE). TE can also occur during times of hormone fluctuation like pregnancy or menopause.7

Losing weight quickly stresses your body and causes hormone fluctuations, both of which can disrupt your normal hair growth cycle. Additionally, because you are eating less and your nutrient absorption is affected by the slower digestion, your hair may not be getting all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.11

Supporting Your Skin and Hair While Using Ozempic

You don’t have to sacrifice your skin and hair to benefit from GLP-1 agonist weight loss. You can take precautions to protect your skin and hair.9,10

Make every bite count so your body doesn’t become nutrient deficient. Eat lean proteins and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Keep hydrated. Make sure you drink plenty of water.

Wear sunscreen every day.

Take a break from hair treatments that use harsh chemicals or heat, like coloring, straighteners, or relaxers. Check your shampoo for ingredients that can cause hair loss.

Help your body destress with meditation or yoga. Check with your doctor to make sure you don’t have any underlying conditions or are taking any medication that could affect your hair and skin negatively.

Give your skin and hair some TLC. 

• Hair Serums: Prescription and over-the-counter topical treatments can both help prevent hair loss and stimulate growth. Foundation Skincare’s Hair Serum is a dermatologist formulated topical that directly nourishes the hair cuticle, leaving hair looking fuller and thicker. Its proven formula not only protects the hair you have but encourages new hair growth at the root. Plus it’s a gentle alternative if you find other hair treatments, such as minoxidil, too harsh or irritating. When you pair it with UnTangled Hair Supplement, you supercharge your scalp and hair for the best results.

• Hair Supplements: Your hair, like the rest of your body, requires a nutrient-rich diet to stay healthy. UnTangled Hair Supplement gives your hair the boost it needs from high-quality micro-nutrients that revitalize your hair growth cycle and reduce shedding caused by rapid weight loss. It’s specially blended to make your hair stronger, fuller, and softer, from the inside. 

• Skin Treatment: Fight sagging, dull, dry skin with the proper moisturizing lotion. Make sure it’s formulated for sensitive skin so you don’t increase inflammation that can happen with weight loss hormone fluctuations. Try Vitamin C Lotion 20%. It’s the perfect daily moisturizer for dry skin because it hydrates and brightens without irritating. How? It increases collagen production and exfoliates dead cells, making skin firmer and younger looking. It also protects your skin from the effects of toxins and UV rays. 

 

When to Talk to a Dermatologist

Be on the lookout for adverse reactions to GLP-1 agonists and don’t wait to tell your dermatologist about skin and hair changes. 

Contact your dermatologist if you experience excessive or prolonged hair loss. Remember, it’s normal to see some hair loss when you lose weight quickly, but don’t hesitate to seek medical advice if you are alarmed. 

Also, contact your doctor if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, rashes, wheezing, or trouble breathing. 

GLP-1 agonists have revolutionized weight loss for many people. You don’t, however, have to risk the health of your skin and hair. Make sure you talk to your doctor about any concerns and get your healthy skin and hair routine in place before you start losing weight.