You can minimize the detrimental effects on the health of your hair while managing your condition efficiently with the right adjustments. Minoxidil (Rogaine) is an over-the-counter topical treatment that can promote hair regrowth. It may be used to counteract medication-induced hair loss, says Dr Singh. The hair loss may be ‘patterned’ as seen in male-pattern or androgenetic alopecia or female-pattern alopecia. The scalp is the most common site affected, but all body hair including eyebrows and eyelashes may be lost with chemotherapy.
- These drugs, prescribed for high blood pressure and heart conditions, can disrupt the hair growth cycle, causing hair loss.
- A scalp enzyme, known as sulfotransferase, converts the minoxidil into a salt called minoxidil sulfate.
- Holman cited some common over-the-counter supplements that may aid hair regrowth by directly addressing dietary deficiencies, such as iron or vitamin C.
- There are patients starting chemotherapy who are bold enough to shave off their hair while undergoing treatment.
Hair loss that occurs during the telogen phase usually resolves within 6–9 months after ceasing the medication. This is due to the normal length of the telogen phase being between 3–6 months. However, depending on the length of hair, it may take several months for the overall hair volume to gradually return to normal. “The way we distinguish it typically is by the sudden onset of hair shedding that typically occurs with telogen effluvium,” Garshick said. “Unlike a singular exposure or event, the ongoing weight loss often slows the body’s ability to reset the hair shedding cycle. As opposed to shedding hair over a few weeks, the hair shedding may continue throughout the weight loss process,” Homan explained.
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The most effective treatment to reduce hair loss from chemotherapy to date has been cooling the patient’s head to reduce the blood flow around hair follicles. Hair cooling devices are worn for 30 minutes before infusion of the causative drug, during the infusion, and for 90 minutes afterwards. A 2019 mouse study suggests that topical application of the many fatty acids present in pumpkin seed oil can promote hair growth. As such, it medications & drugs that cause hair loss may offer an alternative option for treating hair loss.
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This list must include chemotherapy, the oral contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy. Other causes of diffuse hair loss should also be asked about, such as general health, recent illness or surgery and dietary history. The family history for patterned (androgenetic) hair loss should be noted. This means typically, normal hair growth will resume when people stop taking the drug. The most successful treatments for medication-induced hair loss include topical treatments and nutritional support, which are followed by surgeries and lifestyle modifications.
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Pumpkin seed oil may reduce the effects of 5-alpha reductase, which is an enzyme that contributes to hair loss. If you’re concerned about GLP-1-related hair loss, consulting a board-certified dermatologist may be a good first step. Regrowing hair takes time, especially if you are continuing to lose weight with GLP-1 medication.
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This early study, which was published in the preprint server medRxiv, has not yet been peer-reviewed. Remember that nutritional supplements are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so do your due diligence before purchasing such products. “There are certain supplements where, anecdotally, we’ve had success and certainly I’ve had patients who have done very well,” Garshick said. Most of the time when winter comes around, we switch to greener, more heavyweight mo…
“Supplements are most helpful if the hair loss is related to a true deficiency of a nutrient,” she said. “I recommend nutraceuticals for hair loss with some dose of skepticism because they are expensive,” said Kim. Since most people who take GLP-1s eat less, this may affect diet quality and potentially lead to nutritional deficiencies. Natalia Ningthoujam has written on various subjects – from music to films and fashion to lifestyle – as a journalist in her career that started in 2010. After getting stories from the crime scene, police headquarters, and conducting interviews with celebrities, she is now writing on health and wellness which has become her focus area.
However, the extent and rate of hair regrowth can vary depending on individual factors such as the duration of medication use, and overall health. Valproic acid and phenytoin are medications often used to manage seizures. They may interfere with hair growth, leading to hair thinning or loss, says Dr Singh. There are patients starting chemotherapy who are bold enough to shave off their hair while undergoing treatment. Treating drug-induced alopecia with more drugs may not sit well with many of you, as we are already aware of the potential side effects these drugs bring with them.
You may promote healthy hair growth by concentrating on your diet, managing your stress, using gentle hair care methods, and taking preventative actions. Keep in mind that maintaining consistency is crucial, and getting expert guidance when required will support you in your quest for healthier hair. Most hair loss that occurs from medication is known as telogen effluvium. However, other drugs, such as some chemotherapy drugs, can cause hair loss by affecting hairs during the anagen, or growing, phase, which is known as anagen effluvium. A detailed drug history should be taken in all patients presenting with diffuse nonscarring hair loss, concentrating on the three months before the hair loss was noted. This should include all new medications, any changes in dosages, and also over-the-counter supplements.
- Remember that maintaining healthy hair requires perseverance and communication with your healthcare provider.
- While side effects are a price we pay for taking prescription medications, knowing how different medicines can cause hair loss is essential to know how to deal with the situation.
- Always prioritize open communication with your healthcare team to achieve the greatest results for your hair and overall health.
- Remember that consistency is essential, and obtaining expert help when necessary will boost your efforts to maintain healthy hair.
- Most of the time when winter comes around, we switch to greener, more heavyweight mo…
Alopecia from drugs is a usually reversible nonscarring diffuse hair loss that occurs within days to weeks of starting a new medication or changing the dose. It can add more stress to the condition you are already treating with medications. From arthritis drugs, hormone replacement therapy, and birth control pills to diabetes medications, these can all cause female pattern hair loss. For hair loss that occurs during the anagen phase, such as from cancer treatment, hair may grow back in 2–6 months after finishing treatment. However, a person may notice a change in texture, color, and thickness of their hair. Since this type of hair loss is likely linked to weight loss and not the GLP-1 drug itself, shedding may not start for months after beginning treatment.
Evidence of hair regrowth is usually seen within 3–6 months but can take 12–18 months to recover cosmetically. Medication-induced hair loss can be a difficult side effect, but understanding the causes and potential remedies can help people take action. If you suspect that a medication is affecting your hair loss, consult your doctor for an evaluation and customized guidance. With the right method, it is possible to effectively manage hair health while simultaneously meeting medical requirements. These drugs, prescribed for high blood pressure and heart conditions, can disrupt the hair growth cycle, causing hair loss.
By monitoring your hair health and making informed changes to your treatment plan, you can reduce the impact of medication-induced hair loss while also promoting healthy hair growth. Always prioritize open communication with your healthcare team to achieve the greatest results for your hair and overall health. By using the right strategies, you may both try to restore the health and confidence of your hair and manage medication-induced hair loss.
Semaglutide medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have exploded in popularity in recent years due to their effectiveness in diabetes control and weight loss. People should also speak to a doctor to determine whether another underlying issue may be causing hair loss. If people are seeing no signs of regrowth after 6 months, they can discuss other treatment options with their doctor. In most cases, hair will grow back by itself once a person stops taking the medication.