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
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Seeing huge clumps of hair in the plug after a shower has become the new norm for me
TRIED & TESTED 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
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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.
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I've lost six stone in eight months taking Mounjaro, but have also suffered with hair loss
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It's even more noticeable when my hair is pulled back
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With huge clumps coming out when I wash my hair, and when I brush it
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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
LOPHE Instant Hairline Powder in Light Brown, £5.99, Amazon
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.
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While a messy bun is my daily hairdo of choice, it also massively highlights my hair loss
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I tried out an Amazon £5.99 hair powder first of all, and was pretty impressed with the results
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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.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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
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The Josh Wood Airbrush root spray doesn't have a big enough colour range for me - so was much too dark
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Meaning it looked patchy and obvious once I'd applied it
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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
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One place the hair loss is most noticeable is at the side - right where my hairline begins
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But the L'Oreal Magic Retouch spray worked an absolute treat - and was the best one in terms of a colour match for me
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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
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'I was told at the age of 18 and at 22 by doctors on both occasions that I wouldn't be able to have children because of the internal damage I'd suffered. Doc gives advice on how to tackle Mounjaro side effect of excess loose skin 'So I never thought I'd be a mum.' It was watching TV and seeing that James Argent from Towie had undergone gastric sleeve surgery that spurred Stephanie into action to lose weight. Advertisement She said: 'I rang my friend straight away and told her that I wanted to have gastric surgery like Arg had done. 'As soon as I saw it, I knew that it was going to be the right answer for me. 'I'd tried joining slimming groups from the age of 18, but nothing had ever worked for me. So I got on and booked it straight away.' Stephanie had the gastric sleeve operation, which she financed with her savings, at The Spire Hospital in Manchester in July 2021, when she weighed just over 22 stone. Advertisement In just over 12 months she had lost a massive ten stone - and had dropped to just over 12 stone. Then because she had been left with so much loose skin from her weight loss, she underwent a tummy tuck and breast uplift in Turkey in July 2022, a thigh and bra line lift in January 2023 and finally a reverse tummy tuck and thigh lift in August 2023. 7 Doctors told Stephanie that the internal damage she'd suffered as a result of childhood abuse would prevent her from becoming a mum Credit: Supplied 7 It is believed that the weight loss medication can improve ovulation and menstrual cycle regularity, leading to increased fertility and potentially unintended pregnancies Credit: Supplied Advertisement 7 Stephanie says that Callie is her 'little miracle' Credit: Supplied She says: 'I felt amazing after I'd lost all the weight, but I had so much loose skin, that I had a number of cosmetic surgeries to remove it. 'My body looks so much better now. I had some savings, and it was worth every penny to finally get the body that I'm happy with. It's given me so much more confidence.' And there were more surprises to come. Advertisement Stephanie took the weight loss drug Ozempic in November 2023, after the surgery had been completed, to try and lose a few extra pounds, and a few weeks later, she made the most amazing discovery. She had fallen pregnant. She says: 'I didn't believe it. I did lots of tests and they all came up positive, but I still didn't believe that I was actually pregnant. CAN OZEMPIC BOOST FERTILITY? Experts believe the 'Ozempic baby' phenomenon could be down to the major weight loss associated with the drug. This is because any weight loss, especially in those with PCOS, is known to boost fertility. The drug may also increase the chance of pregnancy because side effects such as nausea and vomiting may stop contraceptive pills from being absorbed properly. Dr Nerys Astbury, nutrition scientist and senior researcher in diet and obesity at the University of Oxford, said it was 'plausible' semaglutide injections, by reducing people's weight, could help improve fertility. 'It's nothing special about the drug,' she told the newspaper. 'The effect the drug has is on promoting weight loss. 'It is important to note that whilst some doctors are prescribing semaglutide off-label to women with PCOS, it is not clear whether it's safe to use in women during pregnancy.' She added: "It should not be used as a method to treat infertility until research demonstrating safety and effectiveness is available and until regulatory approval for use in those before and during pregnancy.' Prof Barbara McGowan, from King's College London, added: "Women on GLP-1 agonists should take contraception whilst they take the medication and stop at least two months before trying for fertility." "Healthcare professionals should include this advice when the medication is started.' 'I'd had lots of investigations over the years because of the sexual abuse I'd suffered, and had several laparoscopies, where a camera Is inserted down the fallopian tubes, and it had shown that I'd suffered a lot of internal damage. 'Because of that, the doctors always said that I wouldn't be able to fall pregnant. So to find myself looking at a positive pregnancy test stick was unreal.' Advertisement It is believed that the weight loss medication, which is also used for diabetes management, can improve ovulation and menstrual cycle regularity, leading to increased fertility and potentially unintended pregnancies. The only time I actually believed it was when she was handed to me for the first time, and I gave her a cuddle Stephanie Craig She says: 'I only took it for a couple of weeks, but it certainly must have changed something in my body for me to be able to fall pregnant like this. 'Even as my bump grew, I still didn't believe there was an actual baby, even when I went for scans and saw her moving, and then even in labour. 'The only time I actually believed it was when she was handed to me for the first time, and I gave her a cuddle.' Advertisement Baby Callie, who was born in September last year, is now nine months old and has just started nursery. Stephanie adds: 'It's a lovely feeling being a mum, and I know that I've got Ozempic to thank for that. I took it to lose a few pounds, but ended up with a surprise baby. 'She's a little miracle.' 7 Stephanie credits Ozempic for helping lose weight and get her dream baby Credit: Supplied
