5 Things I did to Reverse Hair Loss after Losing 100+ pounds on a GLP-1 weight loss drug

Not only have I lost over 100+ pounds and finally achieved the goal weight of my dreams, but I’ve also been able to reverse the hair loss and thinning hair that I have been struggling with! Read on to learn the 5 Things I did to reverse hair loss while on a GLP-1 medication. No prescription products, no negative side effects, just better hair PLUS healthier skin & nails, TOO!

I’ve had this post written but not published for a few weeks. The biggest issue I had was trying to get a photo that is (a) truly depicting my hair regrowth and (b) not totally ugly. Go ahead and feel that it’s silly but we live in a world where (proverbially) ‘sex sells’ and being honest ugly photos don’t get clicks. But hair regrowth isn’t about pretty photos, when we are being REAL.

So, you got the best photo of my actual hair re-growth, from my bathroom, when my new hairs were the most obvious. Yes they are grey, I haven’t colored my hair since 2016 and yes my grey hair around my face was hit the hardest since they are much more delicate than my darker hair.

NOTE – Be cautious of anyone showing you LONG hair as a rebound after hair loss. It will take YEARS for the full length of long hair to recover. On average human hair grows 1/2 an inch per month AFTER a few months of healing. So for full length regrowth of shoulder length hair, that can take YEARS. Full recovery with long, strong hair is not immediate no matter what claims someone is making, it’s physically impossible.

What Caused my Hair Loss?

My hair loss started directly after I experienced a stressful period of my life. November 19, 2021 had an emergency appendectomy, our beloved 8 year old black lab was diagnosed with terminal cancer on November 30 and passed away December 15 AND had severe COVID December 26- January 1, 2022. That’s a lot of trauma for a short period of time for the body, & mind, to process.

It felt like I could not recover from those 3 events. I felt depressed, sad and my health continued to decline with random and explainable symptoms. In July of 2022 my dad had quadruple bypass surgery and I remember sitting in the waiting room, realizing how my hair seemed thinner than normal.

To be honest, the other symptoms I had were more bothersome than the extra hair in the shower drain. I was also experiencing EXTREME joint pain that essentially rendered my arms useless for most normal tasks. I was unable to do much more than care for myself. I was depressed, fatigued, frequent bloody noses, mouth sores, unable to tolerate heat, hot flashes, insomnia, etc.

November 2022, my PCP diagnosed me with Lupus and everything finally made sense; there was a reason for my plight! Since I was unable to be seen quickly by a Rheumatologist to get treatment, he suggested I give a GLP-1 medication a try. After all we had nothing to loose and he had some compelling data on their anti-inflammatory potential. PLUS I was overweight, but at that time a weight loss journey was the least of my concerns.

I spent countless hours pouring over clinical trials, potential side effects, potential risks and common side effects before deciding to take a glucagon-like peptide-1 (aka diabetes drug). Then I discussed my concerns with my healthcare provider and we reviewed all similar drugs with the similar drugs with a similar anti-inflammatory potential according to anecdotal reports. We agreed that Mounjaro by Eli Lilly, was the best option for me. AND my insurance covered it for the off-label use he was suggesting.

On November 24, 20222, immediately following Thanksgiving dinner I took my first shot of Mounjaro. The good news is within the first few weeks ALL OF MY LUPUS symptoms went away!! Spoiler alert – my lupus has been in remission ever since. I also started to lose weight.

Mounjaro, GLP-1 & Weight loss Related Hair Loss

Between November 2022 and January 2023 I lost 100 pounds on Mounjaro, which is AMAZING. However, I also experienced even more signifigant hair loss, at my best estimate I lost 40-50% of my hair. I cut my long hair into a short bob and tried my best to remain hopeful that eventually it would grow back. I started research why I lost so much hair and what I could do to reverse it as quickly as possible.

While there are a few reports of GLP-1 Drugs, like Semaglutide which is found in Ozempic & Wegovy and Trizepeptide which is found in Mounjaro & Zepbound, being correlated to hair loss, there is also the same correlation with ALL forms of rapid weight loss or significant weight loss. It’s like the old “chicken or the egg” situation, it’s impossible to tell if it was the peptide itself or the weight loss that was the main cause. Regardless, hair loss when taking a GLP-1 is fully reversible and I am proof!

At the end of the day, it does not matter if your hair loss is from weight loss drugs, glp-1 receptor agonists, bariatric surgery, autoimmune disease, stress shedding, ETC all that matters is that you do what you can to reduce the risk of hair loss and reverse the thinning you may have as a common side effect of ozempic and other similar situations.

My personal truth is that knowing what I know now, and how amazing my recovery has been from the trauma, stress, autoimmune conditions, etc I would go through it all over again to get to the place I am now. The benefits I have had from taking a prescription medication, prescribed by my health care provider as a part of his treatment plans and treatment options far outweigh any potential adverse events and risks that I have experienced. (if you are peptide curious but don’t want to take a pharmaceutical, if have a solution for you too, READ THIS—> Therapeutic Peptides vs. Bioactive Peptides: What’s the Difference?)

One last thing before we delve into how I reversed my hair loss, I want to make sure that I bring it to your attention that you also need to be mindful of eating a well rounded, balanced diet to avoid potential nutritional deficiencies while taking . Making sure you have sufficient calorie intake with ample protein (100g a day for most women) with a variety of colorful plant foods is not only beneficial for healthy weight loss and weight management but also to avoid nutrient deficiency. If you feel you may have a medical issue, consult your health care provider for their guidance so that they can rule out things like telogen effluvium, androgenic alopecia, etc.

5 Things I did to reverse my Hair Loss

I hope you find this comprehensive outline of MY personal routine to recover my hair to an even better place than it was before helpful!! Perhaps, I may end up with the best hair of my life by the time my hair regrowth is fully grown out! This is not inclusive of EVERY option but simply what worked for me. And note, I am still taking a weekly dose of Mounjaro and have no plans to stop taking a peptide any time soon. Plus I have no plans to STOP any of the items listed below since they all also help with over all health and anti-aging as well!

1. Collagen Peptides can Help to Reverse Hair Loss

If there is just 1 thing you choose to incorporate into your hair regrowth routine I would suggest Collagen Peptides. I take 2-3 servings of collagen peptides every day. I start with a scoop of flavorless powdered collagen peptides in my morning coffee then follow up with liquid collagen peptides as a supplement then end my day with another scoop of powdered collagen peptides in a cup of chamomile tea before bed. I have taken the same brand of powdered and liquid collagen peptides the whole time and I only recommend THIS BRAND based on MY personal experience and research.

The BEST Powdered Collagen Peptides to Reverse Hair Loss is Spoiled Child

• Blend of highest-quality type 1 and type 3 bovine collagen replenishes collagen in body to support skin, weight control, hair, nails, and joint strength.
• Includes 50% daily suggested intake of Vitamin C to maximize collagen absorption and provide antioxidant benefits including immune support.
• Hyaluronic acid encourages collagen production to deeply hydrate skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, improving skin elasticity, and plumping skin.
• 9g of protein per 10g serving helps you meet your daily protein intake without consuming unnecessary fats and carbs – ideal for supporting weight loss and muscle gain goals.
• Supports joint and bone tissue structure and supports recovery.
• Completely flavorless formula can be consumed with any beverage or food. I mean ZERO flavor and no gritty texture!

The BEST Liquid Collagen Peptides to Reverse Loss is Spoiled Child

• Visibly transforms your skin & hair, supports your gut health and supports your healthy weight goals in just 6 weeks with just 1-2 tablespoons a day.
• Supercharged with Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid
• Obsessively tested and backed by data
• Supports noticeably smoother and plumper skin, promotes stronger and fuller healthy hair, and supports joint health.
• Available in delicious Pineapple and Mango flavors

2. Colostrum can Help to Reverse Hair Loss

Colostrum bioactives have been shown to reactivate hair follicle stem cells and support the hair microbiome, which work to combat hair loss by blocking chemical-induced damage to the follicle. It comes in a powdered form and I use have used THIS BRAND of colostrum to reverse my hair loss. It comes in unflavored as well as flavored versions, my favorite is watermelon. I take 2 scoops per day as a delicious flavored drink!

Other Benefits & Clinical Results of Colostrum Supplementation:

• Strengthen your skin, lung, and gut barriers
• optimize your microbiome
• activate cellular health and performance to revive whole body health.
• 86% experienced less bloating
• 80% improved their lean muscle mass, strength, and endurance
• 79% grew thicker hair

3. Supplements to Help Reverse Hair Loss

Initially I was using a hair/skin/nails gummy supplement in my routine but then switched to a liquid supplement instead. I feel both can be beneficial, however my most significant hair loss reversal occurred after switching to the TruFolix Hair Growth & Strengthening Liquid. It’s supercharged with cutting-edge AnaGain™ Nu – obsessively formulated to promote hair growth and stop thinning with just 1 tablespoon a day. This supershot, charged with Saw Palmetto, vitamins, and minerals stops hair thinning in its tracks and tackles all core causes of hair shedding. 

Clinical Results of TruFolix Hair Growth & Strengthening Liquid:

• 5% saw a visible improvement in their hair, including visible hair growth and decreased shedding in 8 weeks
• 88% noticed new and faster hair growth in 12 weeks
• 4/5 saw visible improvement in lashes, brows, and nails in 12 weeks

4. Medicated Dandruff Shampoo with Ketoconazole can Help Reverse Hair Loss

This was a little crazy to me but using a medicated dandruff shampoo been a key element to my hair regrowth routine. 1-2x a week I use Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with 1% Ketoconazole. After sudsing my hair, I let it sit and sink in for a few minutes while I do other shower things. Hair loss is complex and difficult to determine the exact root cause so adding this as a topical treatment is an easy way to round out your hair loss treatment plan. PLUS it actually works extremely well and helps keep my hair healthy and looking great!

Ketoconazole is thought to help with hair loss in a number of ways, including:

• Blocking DHT – Ketoconazole may block the action of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase (5AR), which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a hormone that may cause hair loss in men. Blocking DHT production may help prevent, stop, or even reverse hair loss.
• Treating fungal infections – Ketoconazole can treat fungal infections like tinea capitis, also known as scalp ringworm. Tinea capitis can cause hair shedding and scarring alopecia, which is permanent hair loss.
• Reducing inflammation – Ketoconazole may reduce inflammation from the Malassezia fungus that commonly lives on the scalp.
• Improving scalp microbiome – Ketoconazole can improve the scalp microbiome. 

Early studies suggest that ketoconazole can help treat hair loss, including improving hair density and increasing the size of growing hair follicles, as well.

NOTE; I am NOT talking about head and shoulders or other dandruff shampoos. I am specifically recommending Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo with 1% Ketoconazole or similar with the same active ingredients.

5. Treat your Hair Gently while Regrowing

1. Switch to a silk pillow case to reduce the stress on your hair while you sleep. THIS is the silk pillow case I sleep on. You can also wear a
2. Use Silk Hair ties instead of other elastic products. They won’t pull or stress your hair like other elastics can. I use THESE silk hair ties.
3. Try a natural boar’s bristle hair brush to stimulate growth instead of metal, plastic or other synthetic materials. They also help to distribute naturally occurring hair oils throughout the hair shaft to make your hair healthier. I love this small round brush to help style my regrowth that is short and unruly!
4. Make sure to protect your hair from heat damage using a heat protectant spray, this is a no brainer and is something we all should be using anyway. THIS is the Coconut Water heat protectant spray I use.
5. Use a styling product with hair growth and volumizing properties like Better Roots Styling Foam. I knew that it would be highly unlikely that I could commit to using 1-2x daily topical scalp product in my routine but using styling product WITH beneficial properties was win-win! I have found that Better Roots styling foam is absolutely so wonderful that I don’t style my hair without it. It does not weigh down my fine hair and does not make it feel oily or heavy like other styling products have in the past.
   • This clean high-performance styling foam actively promotes healthy hair growth while delaying and reducing grays. It delivers weightless volume with natural movement, definition for waves and curls, eliminates frizz and flyaways, and protects against heat and UV damage.
   • Four clinically-proven ingredients improve hair density, minimize shedding, and support hair repigmentation. Within 3 to 6 months, hair will appear naturally fuller and thicker.
   • Boosts density by up to 46% after 4 months
   • Accelerates hair formation by up to 50%
   • Improves hair follicle anchorage by up to 400%
   • Reduces scalp micro-inflammation by up to 48%
   • Reduces oxidative stress by up to 30% (preserves hair pigmentation)
   • Increases melanogenesis by up to 66% (slows and reverses graying)
   • Full Better Roots routine is now available with supplements, serum, shampoo, conditioner AND styling foam! This was not available when I started my journey but am excited to use the full range!

How long does it take to Regrown Thinning Hair from GLP-1 Weight Loss?

Things I know for sure, you cannot regrow thinning hair QUICKLY. It can be a long process but it does work! The main thing I learned is that I needed to be consistent with my routine and dedicated to a long term compliance.

Let me start by saying that if you are receiving advice from someone who has just STARTED treating their hair loss and is sharing QUICK results, you need to immediately be very cautious. Much like hair loss doesn’t happen overnight, it also takes a LONG time to reverse hair thinning AND be able to SEE improvements.

And by long term I mean up to a YEAR to fully experience your hair rebound. PLUS depending on your personal situation, incorporating some if not all of these strategies as an ongoing lifestyle plan!

There is no way to know how long it will take for your body to respond and how fast your hair will grow back. I can only share my authentic experience.

What to expect when incorporating a routine to Regrow your Thinning Hair

• First 6-8 weeks, you should see a reduction in hair loss; meaning less hair in your shower drain and less hair in your hair brush.
• By 6 months, new growth may start to appear at your roots. Check around your face for the most obvious tiny new hairs popping up! Continued hair growth including more new hair at your root/crown/nape of neck and minimal shedding with each month you continue on your hair regrowth journey.
• By 12 months it is realistic to expect visibly noticeable results. On average human hair grows on average 1/2 inch per month, which is a very SLOW process. The first few months of your journey your body is recovering and may not be fully regrowing your hair yet. It would be reasonable to see 1-2 inches of little hairs sticking up all over, celebrate your accomplishments! You have to understand that the longest length of your hair will NOT thicken until new hairs that grow from your scalp reach that length. You may choose to keep your hair trimmed until the new growth catches up to your longest length.
• By 18 months your hair will feel significantly thicker, no excessive shedding and much of your new hair growth will begin to blend in to your hair and not be AS obvious.

My journey to regrow my thinning hair started in June of 2023, at the time of writing this post means that I have been consistent with this routine for nearly 16 months. And my results are very visible with significant new hair growth all over my head, the longer pieces are blending in but I still have TONS of new growth! I’ve kept my hair in a chin-shoulder length bob and it feels so much thicker and looks fuller, with so much more volume. My new growth is matching my length at the nape of my neck and I have nearly zero shedding. I have ALSO experienced reduced grey hair, thanks to being less inflamed and using products which help to return hair to its natural color naturally!

I understand that might sound frustrating that it might take a long time, but what is your alternative? letting more hair fall out? Putting off starting so that it pushes a full head of hair off even further into the future?

In conclusion the 5 Things I used to reverse my GLP-1 weight loss related Hair Loss

I hope this comprehensive overview of the things I have successfully used to regrow my hair will be useful. Please feel free to comment with any questions or feedback you may have.

1. Powdered Collagen peptides, 1-2 scoops daily AND Liquid Collagen Peptides, 1 serving daily, yes use BOTH formulas!
2. Hair/Skin/Nails Liquid Supplement, 1 serving daily
3. Colostrum, 2 scoops daily
4. Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, 1x a week
5. Treat your hair gently and use Hair Products that help with Regrowth, daily

Added Bonus, Better Skin and Longer, Stronger Nails

And one last thing before you go. The added benefits of integrating many of these elements, in addition to healthier skin, is that they can also help with saggy loose skin, offer anti-aging benefits AND longer, stronger nails. So it’s truly win-win.