I've had major hair loss since being on fat jabs and hate my bald patches, so tried 3 budget hacks to cover them up
IT'S been a miracle drug for me - helping me shed six stone in eight just months.
But one major side effect I've found from taking Mounjaro is the extensive hair loss.
10
While, like the majority of people, I've always lost some hair in the shower, these so-called 'fat jabs' have taken it to a whole new level.
According to hair extension guru Victoria Lynch, founder of Additional Lengths/ Remi Cachet, there's been a "noticeable uptick" in women experiencing hair thinning recently - one reason for which is the popularity of weight loss injections.
"While these medications can support weight loss or diabetes management, a side effect some users report is increased hair shedding or thinning," Victoria says.
"This can be especially distressing when compounded by the natural hormonal shifts during midlife, leading to noticeably finer hair at the crown and hairline."
Victoria is also having lots of consultations with women suffering hair loss due to hormonal changes such a perimenopause.
So being on Mounjaro, plus the fact I'm perimenopausal at the age of 41, means that seeing clumps of my locks in the plug after a shower is my new norm.
And while I'm loving my newly-slim figure, I'm incredibly self-conscious about the bald patches that have become even more noticeable in recent months.
They're even more obvious when I pull my hair back into a messy mum - my preferred 'do as a busy mum of two.
So in a bid to try and cover them up I tried three different hacks, and they're pretty budget friendly too.
Dani Harmer shares shocking insight into perimenopausal hair loss as she admits she's got bald patches & severe thinning
Powder puff
This was the first hack I tried, and I bought it after seeing the 824 four star ratings it had on Amazon.
And given that it's just £5.99, it's the second cheapest of the products I used.
10
10
It comes as a powder, which looks like an eyeshadow at first glance, with two different size applicators.
There's a smaller one if you've got tiny patches to cover, or you want to use it along the hairline, and a bigger sponge-type applicator for any larger sections.
While the shade is too dark for my hair - which is between a brown, copper and dark blonde - it was less noticeable once I'd gently rubbed it into my scalp and hidden the line between my real hair and the darkened patches.
Another downside is that the powder doesn't come in quite the right shade for me.
But, with 12 colours available, it may just be that I'm between the two browns.
Overall, this was a good point to jump off from, but not my favourite.
Hair Loss 101
HAIR pro Samantha Cusick has revealed everything you need to know about hair loss.
Why Does Hair Loss Happen?
Hair loss can be influenced by so many factors, from genetics and hormone changes to lifestyle choices.
Stress, diet, and even hair care habits can all impact hair strength.
It's perfectly normal to lose some hair each day, but sometimes the body can shed more than usual, responding to things like hormonal shifts or even life stressors.
Why It Happens More This Time of Year
Have you ever noticed your hair seems to shed more in autumn? That's seasonal shedding!
During summer, we hold onto extra hair to protect our scalp from the sun.
As the weather cools, it's like our body recalibrates and lets go of those extra strands.
Dry, cooler air can also make hair more brittle, making it easier to lose a little extra volume during these months.
Hacks and Affordable Buys to Treat Hair loss
The great news? You don't need to spend a fortune on pricey treatments to support your hair.
Try daily scalp massages—they're so simple but really help boost blood flow to the follicles.
Castor oil is another fantastic, budget-friendly option that's rich in nutrients to strengthen your strands.
Adding a bit more protein to your diet and a biotin supplement can also work wonders for overall hair health.
Products to Avoid
Steer clear of products with high levels of alcohol, sulphates, and parabens - they can be drying and damage hair over time.
Heat styling and chemical treatments can also cause breakage, so try to use them sparingly.
Instead, look for gentle, hydrating formulas to support your scalp and keep hair healthier through the seasons.
Spray away
Josh Wood Colour Airbrush Root Spray in Brown, £5, Boots
Another alternative to the root powders is a spray.
The Josh Wood one is just one of the options - but doesn't exactly push the boat out when it comes to colours available.
In fact, there are just TWO available - brown and blonde.
And, unfortunately, the brown could be seen as soon as I sprayed it on.
The transfer also isn't great - my hands were brown after about two seconds of trying to rub it in.
Not too impressed with this one, I have to admit.
Rating: 1 out of 5
10
L'Oreal Paris Magic Retouch Spray in Golden Brown, £9.99, Boots
This was by far the best option in terms of colour, for me, as well as longevity.
It also didn't seem to be too heavy when I applied it - and didn't transfer either, even when I rubbed it in with my fingers.
I used my brush to blend it in a bit more, and was chuffed when I saw how well it had concealed my bald spots.
And when it comes to variety, there are nine shades to choose from, so it should work for a range of different hair colours.
While some other options I've tried make the hair feel crispy once it's applied, this was barely noticeable - and I pretty much forgot about it until I washed my hair the next day.
This is definitely going to be one of my favourite products going forward - especially as I've got no intention of giving up the Mounjaro any time soon.
Rating: 5/5
10
10
A touch of luxury
16' clip-in deluxe set in shade 4/8, £125, Additional Lengths
While there are tonnes of budget options out there for concealing bald patches, for anyone with a bit more money to spend, hair extensions could be an option.
I spoke to the lovely Victoria at Remi Cachet for some advice on getting extensions which, she says, can "restore confidence without compromising your hair's health when done correctly".
After a consultation and a colour match, I went for the 16 inch clip in extensions, in the shade 4/8.
At £125, they certainly aren't a budget option, and also weren't particularly advisable for my Mounjaro/perimenopausal hair loss.
However, the confidence I suddenly had when I popped the extensions in was unmatched.
I still haven't quite mastered the art of putting them in, and think that when I have, they'll look even more natural.
But the novelty of having long, luscious locks isn't going to wear off anytime soon, that's for sure.
And I'll make sure I don't rely on these too heavily, wearing them just for special occasions rather than on a daily basis.
Rating: 4/5
10
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
34 minutes ago
- Reuters
Novo Nordisk's experimental drug results in up to 24% weight loss
June 20 (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk ( opens new tab on Friday said full results from early-stage trials show that its experimental drug, amycretin, helped overweight and obese adults lose up to 24% of their weight as the Danish company readies for late-stage studies, opens new tab to start next year. The company said side effects of the drug, tested as both a weekly injection and a daily pill, were mostly gastrointestinal with rates similar to other recent weight loss drugs. The full trial results were presented at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association in Chicago and published in the Lancet medical journal. Novo's head of development Martin Holst Lange said the Phase 3 amycretin program starting in 2026 will run "for a couple of years" after which the regulatory review process could start. The company earlier this month said it planned to start late-stage trials of the drug in the first quarter of 2026 after previously announcing the early-stage trial results. Amycretin has a dual-mode action. Like Novo's popular weight-loss drug Wegovy, it mimics the gut hormone GLP-1, but also targets receptors for a hunger-suppressing pancreatic hormone called amylin. Trial results showed that 20-milligram weekly injections of the drug helped overweight or obese patients without diabetes lose 22% of their weight over 36 weeks, with a 60-mg dose resulting in 24.3% weight loss. In the Phase 1 study of once-daily oral amycretin, patients received increasing doses, ranging from 3 mg to a final dose of 100 mg. Patients who took 50 mg of amycretin at the end of the 12-week trial reduced body weight by 10.4% on average, while those taking the maximum dose lost 13.1% of their weight, the company said. Novo said the weight loss did not plateau, suggesting that longer treatment could lead to greater weight loss. In a Lancet commentary, researchers not involved in the amycretin studies said that "while additional weight loss is welcome and helpful, our evolving concept of obesity management has now shifted towards an emphasis on the reduction of the risks and burdens of cardiovascular disease and other comorbidities." Commentators Tricia Tan, professor of metabolic medicine and endocrinology at Imperial College London, and endocrinologist Dr. Bernard Khoo, said studies directly comparing GLP-1 drugs like Novo's Ozempic to drugs like amycretin will be needed to definitively establish their added value and place in obesity management.
Daily Mail
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Ozempic-maker's new fat-busting drug cuts body weight by a quarter - and it comes as a jab or a PILL
A new fat-busting drug that is available as a jab or tablet helps patients lose up to a quarter of their body weight, studies suggest. People who received higher doses of amycretin as a weekly injection lost 24.3 per cent of their body weight after 36 weeks of treatment. And those taking daily tablets lost an average of 13.1 per cent of their body weight after 12 weeks, the early stage trials found. Weight loss jabs have been hailed as transformative by NHS leaders. But tablets could be the next big breakthrough in the nation's fight against obesity as they are likely to appeal to a wider audience who are uncomfortable with injecting themselves. An estimated 1.5million Britons use weight loss jabs, which have been either prescribed through specialist weight loss services or private prescriptions. GPs will be able to dish out fat jabs from next week. Amycretin, made by Novo Nordisk, helps to control blood sugar and appetite by targeting two specific receptors in the body—GLP-1 and the amylin receptor. In comparison to amycretin, trials pivotal to getting semaglutide—the ingredient behind Ozempic—approved, show it helped users shed up to 15 per cent of their body weight over 68 weeks. And studies have found rival jab Mounjaro can help obese people lose up to 22.5 per cent of their body weight in 72 weeks. The new amycretin trial involved 125 adults, who took weekly injections of the drug. Those taking the highest dosage (60mg) lost 24.3 per cent after 36 weeks of treatment. It also showed signs in improving blood sugar levels. Side effects included nausea and vomiting and were mostly mild to moderate and resolved by the end of treatment, according to findings published in medical journal The Lancet. 'These phase 1b/2a data support the potential of once-weekly subcutaneous amycretin as a therapeutic for people living with overweight or obesity,' the authors wrote. 'Amycretin appeared safe and tolerable, and there were significant reductions in body weight after 36 weeks of treatment.' The second early trial, published in the same journal, assessed amycretin in tablet form in 144 people over 12 weeks. There were mild to moderate side effects including loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Researchers found that people taking the highest dose of 100mg per day, lost 13.1 per cent of their body weight over four months. The authors wrote: 'Amycretin effectively lowered body weight and improved metabolic and glycaemic parameters in people with overweight or obesity. 'Longer studies with more participants are warranted for evaluation of the safety and efficacy of amycretin in individuals living with obesity and type 2 diabetes, and to optimise the dosing regimen.' The studies were also presented at the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions in Chicago, in the US. It comes as a separate study, which was published at the same meeting, examined the effects of weight loss jab Wegovy at higher doses. Researchers found that giving patients 7.2mg of Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, once a week led to an average weight loss of 20.7 per cent, with a third of participants losing 25 per cent or more of their body weight after 72 weeks. GLP-1 injections suffered global shortages after celebrity users sparked a surge in popularity and the NHS has warned people against buying them from unauthorised sources. Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director at NHS England, last week told the NHS ConfedExpo conference in Manchester that weight loss jabs could be doled out as widely as statins if competition in the market brings their price down The country's top doctor warned obesity costs the NHS £11.4billion every year and described the financial burden as 'unsustainable'. From Monday, GPs will be able to prescribe the fat jab mounjaro - also known as tirzepatide - for the first time, in what he labelled an 'exciting milestone'.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Weight loss pill set to rival injections after promising studies
A new daily weight loss pill has shown promising results in initial studies. Researchers say amycretin, which can be offered by injection or tablet, helped patients lose a significant amount of weight in the first trials. Those who received higher doses of amycretin as a weekly jab lost 24.3 per cent of their body weight after 36 weeks of treatment, while patients who took daily tablets lost an average of 13.1 per cent of their body weight after 12 weeks. While weight loss jabs have been hailed as transformative by NHS leaders, injections come with additional work for over-stretched health services, so tablet forms of medication may offer a new hope for the millions of people looking to lose weight. It has been estimated that around 1.5 million Britons are having weight loss jabs, which have been either prescribed through specialist weight loss services or private prescriptions. GPs will be able to dish out jabs from next week. Amycretin, made by Novo Nordisk, helps to control blood sugar and appetite by targeting two specific receptors in the body – GLP-1 and the amylin receptor. An early trial in 125 adults testing weekly injections of amycretin, which has been published in The Lancet, found that those taking the highest dosage (60mg) lost 24.3 per cent after 36 weeks of treatment. It also showed signs of improving blood sugar levels. Side effects included nausea and vomiting, and were mostly mild to moderate and resolved by the end of treatment. 'These phase 1b/2a data support the potential of once-weekly subcutaneous amycretin as a therapeutic for people living with overweight or obesity,' the authors wrote. 'Amycretin appeared safe and tolerable, and there were significant reductions in body weight after 36 weeks of treatment.' The second early trial, published in the same journal, assessed amycretin in tablet form in 144 people over 12 weeks. There were mild to moderate side effects including loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Researchers found that people taking the highest dose of 100mg per day, lost 13.1 per cent of their body weight over four months. The authors wrote: 'Amycretin effectively lowered body weight and improved metabolic and glycaemic parameters in people with overweight or obesity. 'Longer studies with more participants are warranted for evaluation of the safety and efficacy of amycretin in individuals living with obesity and type 2 diabetes, and to optimise the dosing regimen.' The studies were also presented at the American Diabetes Association 's Scientific Sessions in Chicago, in the US. It comes as a separate study, which was published at the same meeting, examined the effects of weight loss jab Wegovy at higher doses. Researchers found that giving patients 7.2mg of Wegovy, also known as semaglutide, once a week led to an average weight loss of 20.7 per cent, with a third of participants losing 25 per cent or more of their body weight after 72 weeks.
