| GLP-1 SIDE EFFECTS | INDUSTRY INSIDER
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ICTURE THIS: YOU NOTICE SOME HAIR ON YOUR PILLOWCASE OR PIECES OF HAIR in the shower drain. Your hairbrush needs to be cleaned after every use. When you wear a light-colored top or sweater, a few strands appear that you didn’t notice before. This may be the downside of GLP-1, and it happened to me. I didn’t realise the source until the women in New York’s Yves Durif Salon in the Carlyle set me straight. They have been seeing this unfortunate side-effect frequently from a lot of their clientele. The use of GLP-1 medications has increased sharply in recent years since studies demonstrated that these drugs can help people significantly for weight loss, as well as a plethora of other benefits. Since 2020, the number of prescriptions for these drugs has more than tripled, according to a RAND study.1 Although GLP-1s were originally used to treat obese patients, it has become an uber-popular solution all around the world in record time.
GLP-1 in the USA
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the US, obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or higher. Severe obesity is defined as having a BMI of 40.0 or higher.2 It is no surprise that Americans pay 2–4 times more for GLP-1s than in Europe or anywhere else. In 2026, some direct-to-consumer programmes have lowered the cost for some patients in the US. GLP-1 drugs are now available across a wide cash-pay range, from roughly $150 to $450 per month, depending on the drug, dose, and format. As many as 48 million Americans who want to lose weight expect to start a GLP-1 drug in 2026.3 In the US, Ozempic (Novo Nordisk; Bagsværd, Denmark) has become nearly synonymous with modern weight loss. GLP-1 medications are being hailed as breakthrough treatments, reshaping how we think about managing weight and metabolic health. Considering more than 40% of US adults have obesity,2 Novo Nordisk has received approval from the USA Food and Drug Administration for the first GLP pill for weight loss. Eli Lilly (Indianapolis, IN, USA) is expecting to have their own weight loss pill in the market later in 2026.3 The abundance of affordable and available choices has increased the number of patients seeking these treatments exponentially. Some patients may experience side effects that cause them to reduce their usage or stop GLP-1 medications altogether. If these side effects are not explained in advance to patients, it can come as a big shock. Thus, it is important to explain all potential issues in writing and create a comprehensive list of dos and don’ts so patients are adequately informed.
GLP-1 patients are shaping aesthetic trends According to Erika Sheyn, SVP of Aesthetics at Guidepoint Qsight, GLP-1 medications continue to act as an important entry point for patients entering medical aesthetics. Qsight data indicates that patients are increasingly approaching aesthetics through a more holistic wellness lens, often layering weightloss medications with injectables, skincare, and other aesthetic and wellness services over time. 'We’re seeing a notable shift in how patients are allocating their aesthetic spend, with GLP-1 and weight-loss medications ranking just behind skincare in total consumer spending for the full year 2025,' she says. 'Weight management is becoming more integrated into the overall appearance and wellness journey, which is driving increased interest in bundled aesthetic treatments, including injectables, skincare, and hormone therapy.'
While hair shedding after starting GLP-1 therapy may be temporary for some patients, it can still be extremely distressing, particularly if patients were not aware beforehand.
Common side effects
While hair shedding after starting GLP-1 therapy may be temporary for some patients, it can still be extremely distressing, particularly if patients were not aware beforehand. The experience can feel especially unsettling for mature individuals who are already prone to thinning hair. This can be extremely upsetting when it comes as a surprise. In my case, I didn’t realise my own hair thinning experience until I had to call the handyman in my building to fix my bathroom, since it was clogged. He knew instantly that my strands of hair in the sink were the culprit. That was a rude awakening for me. ‘Hair loss can occur while taking weight-management medications, such as GLP-1 and GIP agonists, because the gut is a nutrient gateway to the hair follicle,’ said Dr Jane Yoo, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New York City. Many practitioners report using oral minoxidil to treat hair loss, which is a major step up from the original drug. To put it simply, it is a godsend for users. ‘The main benefit for our patients is that it is converted to an active orally, which makes it much easier to use and more effective, so they are more likely to take it,’ she explained. For many patients suffering from hair shedding from GLP‑1, minoxidil is widely considered the first step. Minoxidil encourages blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles, which can help nutrients and oxygen flow into the hair, so it grows back stronger. Some patients also benefit from adjunct therapies such as DE|RIVE® Hair Wellness System (Aesthetic Management Partners; Cordova, TN, USA). This works to support scalp health and optimise hair regrowth.
Surgical and other options
According to Plastic Surgeon Barry DiBernardo, MD, FACS, founder of New Jersey Plastic Surgery, ‘Significant hair loss post GLP-1 is a frequent concern of patients. The patients most susceptible tend to be women between 35 and 55, those who have lost weight rapidly, more than 2-3 pounds per week. Patients with a family history of hair loss and those with thin hair texture are especially vulnerable. The key is early intervention.’
WENDY LEWIS is Founder/ President of Wendy Lewis & Co Ltd, Global Aesthetics Consultancy since 1997, author of 13 books, and frequent presenter on the international stage. Her first textbook, Aesthetic Clinic Marketing in the Digital Age (CRC Press) debuted a second edition in 2024. email: wl@wendylewisco.com
prime-journal.com | January/February 2026 11