The Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Hair: Beneficial Effects or Adverse Outcomes?

April 2026 in “ American Journal of Clinical Dermatology ”

S. Morteza Seyed Jafari, Gemma Caro, Shari R. Lipner, Matilde Iorizzo

GLP-1 receptor agonists insulin resistance telogen effluvium hair loss

Studysummary GLP-1 receptor agonists may help or harm hair health, needing more research. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The document examines the dual effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on hair health, noting that while some studies suggest benefits for hair loss related to insulin resistance, there are also reports of adverse outcomes like telogen effluvium. The mixed evidence highlights the necessity for further research into the dermatological effects of these medications.

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research Increased Risk of Telogen Effluvium with Tirzepatide Compared to Other Weight-Loss Medications: A Retrospective Cohort TriNetX Database Study

August 2025 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

research Association Between Androgenetic Alopecia and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Treatment in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

July 2025 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

research Alopecia and Semaglutide: Connecting the Dots for Patient Safety

4 citations , March 2025 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This study highlights a potential association between semaglutide, a diabetes medication, and increased reports of hair loss, with researchers calling for more rigorous clinical trials to confirm and better understand the risk.

research Dermatologic Implications of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Medications: A Comprehensive Review

February 2025 in “Skin Appendage Disorders”

This review discusses the dermatologic side effects and potential therapeutic benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as facial fat loss and wound healing, emphasizing the need for further research.

research Exploring the Hair Loss Risk in Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists: Emerging Concerns and Clinical Implications

January 2025 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

The study by Godfrey et al. highlights a potential link between GLP-1 receptor agonists, specifically semaglutide and tirzepatide, and the risk of alopecia, emphasizing the need for further investigation and patient awareness.

research Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Medications and Hair Loss: A Retrospective Cohort Study

31 citations , January 2025 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

GLP-1 RA medications may be linked to hair loss.

research Risk of Suicide, Hair Loss, and Aspiration with GLP1-Receptor Agonists and Other Diabetic Agents: A Real-World Pharmacovigilance Study

25 citations , September 2024 in “Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy”

This study found that while glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists report more incidents of suicide, hair loss, and aspiration compared to some other antidiabetic drugs, they did not meet the threshold for positive safety signals.

research Treatment of Insulin Resistance With Tirzepatide Leading to Improvement of Hair Loss

12 citations , June 2024 in “JAAD Case Reports”

Tirzepatide may improve hair loss by reducing insulin resistance.

research GLP-1 Agonists and Hair Loss: A Call for Further Investigation

May 2024 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This research highlights the lack of clinical evidence linking GLP-1 agonists, commonly used in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, to hair loss, despite theoretical concerns regarding potential hair health impacts.

research Association of Obesity and Bariatric Surgery on Hair Health

February 2024 in “Medicina-lithuania”

This narrative review explores how obesity, related diseases, and bariatric surgery can impact hair health and the hair development cycle, highlighting potential effects such as hair thinning and telogen effluvium.

research The AR/miR-221/IGF-1 Pathway Mediates the Pathogenesis of Androgenetic Alopecia

2 citations , January 2023 in “International Journal of Biological Sciences”

In this study, miR-221 was identified as a key factor in androgenetic alopecia pathogenesis due to its role in suppressing hair growth by interacting with androgen receptors and affecting related pathways.

research Telogen Effluvium: A Comprehensive Review

56 citations , August 2019 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

This essay discusses telogen effluvium, the issues surrounding its diagnosis and differentiation from other forms of hair loss, and emphasizes the need for empathetic patient care; it reports no new clinical findings.

research Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1: Roles in Androgenetic Alopecia

27 citations , February 2014 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study found that dermal papilla cells from balding scalp follicles secrete significantly less insulin-like growth factor-1 and its binding proteins, suggesting a mechanism contributing to male pattern baldness.

research Androgenetic Alopecia, Metabolic Syndrome, and Insulin Resistance: Is There Any Association? A Case-Control Study

34 citations , January 2014 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal”

This study supports evaluating metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in young males with advanced androgenic alopecia to potentially reduce future cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risks.

research Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor and Proglucagon Expression in Mouse Skin

37 citations , March 2006 in “Regulatory Peptides”

This study reports that GLP-1 receptors and proglucagon are expressed in the skin of newborn mice, with GLP-1 potentially playing a role in skin development and hair follicle formation.