Mounjaro in Seolleung: Losing Weight but Losing Hair Too? Understanding Mounjaro and Hair Loss

Hello.

I am Dr. Dajeong Kim, Chief Physician at Cordia Clinic.

Recently, when searching for 'Seolleung Mounjaro' on Naver, I noticed our clinic appeared at the top of the map listings even though we were not running separate Mounjaro advertisements.

While search results may vary depending on the timing or location, I would like to take this opportunity to share essential information that anyone considering Mounjaro should know alongside its therapeutic benefits.

That is the hair loss that may occur while using Mounjaro.

"I love that I'm losing weight, but so much hair falls out when I wash it."

"If this hair loss is caused by Mounjaro, should I stop taking the injections?"

First and foremost, it is true that hair loss has been reported during Mounjaro use. However, we cannot conclude that the medication directly damages hair follicles; we must evaluate it alongside factors such as weight reduction, dietary changes, and pre-existing hair loss.

Mounjaro and Hair Loss: Are There Actual Clinical Studies?

The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide. It is a medication that acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors.

According to FDA approval data for Zepbound, a weight management medication with the same active ingredient in the US, hair loss was reported in approximately 4–5% of the treatment group versus about 1% in the placebo group during clinical trials. The data indicates that hair loss adverse events were primarily associated with weight loss.

These figures were observed in specific clinical trials and do not serve as an exact forecast for any individual's personal likelihood of experiencing hair loss.

Recent studies have also noted an association.

A retrospective study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2025 reported that tirzepatide use was associated with an increased risk of telogen effluvium compared to other weight loss medications. However, because it was an observational study, it is difficult to completely separate the direct effect of the drug from the impact of rapid weight reduction.

A meta-analysis published in 2026 also reported higher rates of hair loss in groups using medications including tirzepatide compared to placebo groups. However, since this aggregated results from multiple medications and studies, it should not be interpreted as the incidence rate exclusive to Mounjaro or as a risk of permanent hair loss.

Based on current evidence, it is reasonable to explain the possibility of hair loss beforehand and monitor weight, nutritional status, and hair changes simultaneously.

Why Does Hair Fall Out During Weight Loss?

One of the primary causes to consider during weight loss is telogen effluvium.

Hair cycles repeatedly through growing, resting, and shedding phases. When stressful events occur in the body, such as rapid weight fluctuations or excessive caloric restriction, more hair than usual can shift into the telogen (resting) phase, leading to increased shedding.

We also need to consider scenarios where appetite decreases significantly after starting Mounjaro, leading to a drastic drop in food intake or insufficient consumption of essential nutrients like protein and iron.

In fact, a domestic study analyzing 140 patients who developed telogen effluvium following weight reduction has been published. In other words, this phenomenon is not unique to Mounjaro users alone. Weight loss and telogen effluvium study.

However, it is equally inappropriate to generalize that it is "purely due to nutritional deficiency" or "completely unrelated to the medication."

Why Does Shedding Occur Months Later Instead of Immediately?

Telogen effluvium often becomes noticeable about 2 to 3 months after the triggering factor occurs, rather than right away.

Therefore, even if you are eating well recently, the delayed effects of a period when you lost weight rapidly a few months ago may just now be appearing.

Typically, rather than forming circular bald spots, it presents as an increase in diffuse hair shedding across the entire scalp. Hair usually recovers once the underlying cause is resolved, but it requires several months for shedding to decrease and for hair to appear full again.

If circular bald patches develop or if you experience pain or inflammation on your scalp, you should not assume it is simply telogen effluvium; other causes must be examined.

Should You Discontinue Mounjaro If Your Hair Starts Falling Out?

You do not necessarily have to stop the medication immediately just because hair loss occurs.

It is best to check the following aspects first:

How rapidly you have lost weight recently

Whether your food intake and protein consumption have dropped excessively

Whether severe nausea or vomiting makes it difficult to maintain adequate meals

Whether there was any pre-existing thinning at the crown or a widening hair part

Whether there are symptoms suggestive of anemia, iron deficiency, or thyroid dysfunction

Based on consultation findings, appropriate examinations are selected to determine whether to adjust the rate of weight loss, nutritional intake, or medication dosage. Rather than discontinuing the medication or changing doses on your own, please consult the prescribing physician.

Nutritional supplements such as iron or biotin are not necessary for everyone either. Checking for actual deficiencies and replenishing what is missing should come first.

Can Hair Follicle Injections or Growth Factor MTS Help?

I would like to clarify this by distinguishing between treating telogen effluvium itself and addressing concurrent types of hair loss.

The core management of telogen effluvium lies in identifying and correcting the root cause. Undergoing scalp procedures alone while leaving severe calorie deficits or rapid weight loss unaddressed is insufficient.

Furthermore, there is currently insufficient evidence that hair follicle injections and growth factor MTS accelerate recovery from Mounjaro-related telogen effluvium.

However, if pre-existing male- or female-pattern hair loss is present simultaneously, adjunctive procedures may be considered to improve hair density and thickness.

The evidence for hair follicle injections varies by ingredient.

'Hair follicle injection' is not a single, standardized drug name. Expected outcomes and levels of supporting research differ depending on which ingredients are used.

For instance, PDRN injections have shown improvements in hair count and thickness in small-scale studies involving female pattern hair loss patients. However, because these studies were not conducted on telogen effluvium or Mounjaro users, one cannot assume identical efficacy.

Growth factor MTS is also an adjunctive approach.

Applying growth factors to the scalp combined with microneedle stimulation is a field actively being studied for its potential to enhance hair growth.

In 2021, a study involving 60 patients with androgenetic alopecia, including 15 women who also had telogen effluvium, reported improvement. However, because microneedling, growth factor application, and iontophoresis were used concurrently without a control group, it is difficult to separate the effect of standard growth factor MTS from the natural recovery course of telogen effluvium. Growth factor combination procedure study.

Therefore, it is accurate to describe them as: "Options that may be considered adjunctively to improve co-existing hair loss, but not verified standard treatments for telogen effluvium."

Procedures can cause pain, redness, bruising, or irritation, and risks of infection or adverse reactions to ingredients must be considered. Thus, decisions should be made only after evaluating your scalp condition and the specific ingredients used.

Monitor Weight Changes and Hair Changes Together

If you experience significant hair shedding while using Mounjaro, there is no need to abruptly stop the medication or, conversely, simply endure it thinking it is just a temporary phenomenon.

The first step is determining whether your current condition is telogen effluvium or the unmasking of underlying male- or female-pattern hair loss.

For those exploring Mounjaro treatments in Gangnam areas such as Seolleung, Yeoksam, and Daechi, we encourage you to track your dietary intake, nutritional status, rate of weight loss, and hair changes alongside the numbers on the scale.

At Cordia Clinic, we will guide your treatment plan tailored to your personal health status based on these clinical considerations.

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Please make a reservation before your visit so you can receive care at your preferred time.

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KR Tower 6F, Cordia Clinic, Burger King Building, 429 Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Seolleung Station, Exit 3

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can taking Mounjaro actually cause hair loss?

Yes, hair loss has been reported in clinical trials and related research. FDA approval data for the same active ingredient noted hair loss in approximately 4–5% of the treatment group, which is analyzed as being related to rapid weight reduction rather than direct follicle damage by the medication.

When does hair loss typically appear after starting Mounjaro?

It usually becomes noticeable about 2 to 3 months after the triggering factor occurs. Telogen effluvium shows a delayed response to rapid weight reduction, typically presenting as increased diffuse shedding across the entire scalp rather than in localized patches.

Should I immediately stop Mounjaro if my hair starts falling out?

No, you do not necessarily need to discontinue it right away. It is essential to first evaluate your weight loss velocity, nutritional intake such as protein and iron, and any underlying conditions. Instead of stopping on your own, discuss potential dosage adjustments with your prescribing physician.

Are hair follicle injections or growth factor MTS effective for telogen effluvium?

No, they cannot be considered verified standard treatments for telogen effluvium. These procedures may be reviewed as adjunctive treatments to improve concurrent male- or female-pattern hair loss. For telogen effluvium, correcting root causes such as meal intake and the rate of weight loss comes first.