Mounjaro and Zepbound — both brand names for tirzepatide — have become two of the most widely prescribed medications for type 2 diabetes and medical weight loss. As more patients begin these medications, a familiar question is emerging:

Does Mounjaro cause hair loss?

The short answer is yes, hair loss can occur — but the medication itself is usually not the direct cause. Hair shedding associated with tirzepatide follows the same pattern seen with other GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists: it is driven primarily by rapid weight loss and the nutritional changes that accompany it, not by the drug acting directly on hair follicles.

Below, we explain why this happens, what patients can do to reduce the risk, and when professional evaluation makes sense.

What Is Tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, meaning it activates two hormone pathways involved in blood sugar regulation and appetite. This dual mechanism makes it more potent for weight loss than earlier GLP-1 medications alone.

Tirzepatide is currently available under two brand names:

• Mounjaro (approved for type 2 diabetes)
• Zepbound (approved for chronic weight management)

Patients on tirzepatide often achieve significant weight loss — in some clinical trials, more than 20% of body weight — over a relatively short period. That degree of weight loss, achieved quickly, is precisely what can trigger hair shedding.

Why Mounjaro and Tirzepatide Can Cause Hair Loss

To understand the mechanism, it helps to consider how the human body responds to periods of rapid nutritional change.

Hair follicles are metabolically expensive. They require a steady supply of protein, vitamins, and minerals to sustain active growth. When the body experiences a sudden reduction in caloric or nutritional intake — as often happens in the early months of tirzepatide treatment — it prioritizes resources toward organs essential for survival: the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys.

Hair, skin, and nails are deprioritized. Many follicles shift prematurely from the active growth phase into a resting phase. Several months later, those resting hairs shed.

This process has a name: telogen effluvium.

Telogen Effluvium: The Most Common Type of Hair Loss From Weight Loss

Telogen effluvium is a temporary, diffuse form of hair shedding triggered by physiologic stress. It is the same mechanism responsible for hair loss after surgery, major illness, pregnancy, or crash dieting.

With tirzepatide and Mounjaro, the trigger is typically a combination of:

• Rapid weight loss (especially when it exceeds one to two pounds per week)
• Reduced overall caloric intake
• Insufficient protein consumption
• Deficiencies in key micronutrients, including iron, zinc, biotin, and vitamin D

The hair shedding typically begins two to four months after the triggering event — which means patients may not notice it until they have been on the medication for several months, sometimes leading them to attribute it to the drug directly.

Does Tirzepatide Cause Hair Loss More Than Ozempic?

This is a common question, and the honest answer is that the mechanism is the same across GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medications. The primary driver is the degree and speed of weight loss, not the specific drug.

Because tirzepatide tends to produce more significant weight loss than semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) in clinical comparisons, some patients may experience more pronounced telogen effluvium — not because tirzepatide is uniquely harmful to hair follicles, but because the weight loss it produces is often more substantial and rapid.

Patients who lose weight more gradually, maintain adequate nutrition, and supplement appropriately tend to experience less shedding regardless of which medication they are taking.

Nutrition and Hair Loss on Mounjaro

The most important factor in preventing or minimizing hair shedding during tirzepatide treatment is maintaining adequate nutritional intake — even while eating significantly less food overall.

Healthy hair growth depends on a consistent supply of:

Protein: Hair is made of keratin, a structural protein. Patients on GLP-1 medications are at risk of eating too little protein, particularly if their reduced appetite leads them toward lower-calorie, lower-protein food choices. Most physicians recommend a minimum of 60 to 100 grams of protein per day during active weight loss.

Iron: Iron deficiency is one of the most common and most overlooked triggers of hair shedding, particularly in women. Patients losing weight rapidly should have their ferritin levels monitored.

Zinc: Important for hair follicle cell division and repair.

Biotin and B vitamins: Involved in keratin synthesis and follicle health.

Vitamin D: Low vitamin D levels are associated with hair follicle cycling disruption.

Practical guidance: Focus on nutrient-dense foods rather than simply eating less. Prioritize protein at every meal. Consider physician-guided supplementation, especially during the first six months of treatment when weight loss is often most rapid.

Will Hair Grow Back After Stopping or Continuing Mounjaro?

For most patients, yes — telogen effluvium is a temporary condition. Once weight loss stabilizes and nutritional status improves, the hair follicles gradually return to active growth. Most patients see recovery over six to twelve months.

However, recovery is not guaranteed for everyone. Several factors can affect outcomes:

• Ongoing nutritional deficiencies
• Underlying androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss) that the shedding has unmasked or accelerated
• Hormonal changes associated with significant weight loss
• Prolonged or severe caloric restriction

If shedding continues beyond six months, becomes severe, or does not resolve, professional evaluation is appropriate.

When Hair Loss May Not Be Temporary

Not all hair loss associated with GLP-1 medications is reversible telogen effluvium. In some cases, rapid weight loss can unmask or accelerate underlying pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) that was already developing.

The distinction matters because these two types of hair loss have different treatments:

• Telogen effluvium resolves with nutritional correction and time
• Androgenetic alopecia progresses without treatment and may require medical therapy or, in appropriate candidates, surgical hair restoration

If you are experiencing persistent or worsening hair thinning after starting Mounjaro or tirzepatide, a physician evaluation can help determine whether you are dealing with temporary shedding, underlying pattern hair loss, or both.

How to Reduce the Risk of Hair Loss on Mounjaro or Zepbound

The following strategies can meaningfully reduce the likelihood of significant hair shedding during tirzepatide treatment:

• Prioritize protein intake at every meal — aim for at least 60 to 100 grams per day
• Choose nutrient-dense foods rather than simply eating less overall
• Have baseline labs checked before or early in treatment: CBC, ferritin, zinc, vitamin D, B12, thyroid panel
• Consider physician-supervised supplementation with a comprehensive multivitamin, iron (if deficient), biotin, and vitamin D
• Avoid extremely rapid weight loss — slower, steadier loss is gentler on hair follicles
• Stay well hydrated and avoid additional physiologic stressors during the early months of treatment

Professional Evaluation for Hair Loss in Dallas and Colleyville

If you are in the Dallas or Colleyville area and experiencing hair thinning while taking Mounjaro, Zepbound, or another tirzepatide medication, Dr. Jesse E. Smith, MD, FACS offers hair loss evaluation and hair restoration consultations at our Colleyville location.

Dr. Smith is a dual board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with subspecialty expertise in surgical hair restoration. Unlike chain hair restoration clinics, evaluations at our practice are conducted by a fellowship-trained surgeon who can assess whether your hair loss is temporary, progressive, or a candidate for surgical restoration — and give you an honest answer about which path forward makes sense for you.

We serve patients from Dallas, Colleyville, and the broader DFW area.

Schedule a hair restoration consultation: [link to hair restoration page]

Key Takeaways

• Hair loss from Mounjaro and tirzepatide is common and typically related to rapid weight loss and nutritional changes, not to the medication acting directly on hair follicles
• The most common mechanism is telogen effluvium — a temporary, reversible form of shedding triggered by physiologic stress
• Maintaining adequate protein and micronutrient intake during treatment significantly reduces the risk
• Most patients see hair recovery once weight loss stabilizes and nutrition improves
• Persistent or worsening hair loss warrants professional evaluation to rule out underlying pattern hair loss
• If you are in Dallas or Colleyville, Dr. Smith offers hair loss evaluation and hair restoration consultations at our Colleyville practice

Jesse E. Smith, MD, FACS
Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Fort Worth and Colleyville, Texas

Wegovy — the weight-loss branded formulation of semaglutide — has become one of the most widely prescribed medications for chronic weight management. As its use has grown, so has a question patients increasingly ask before or shortly after starting treatment:

Does Wegovy cause hair loss?

The short answer is yes, hair shedding can occur — and it is more common than many patients expect. But the mechanism is important to understand: Wegovy itself does not damage hair follicles. The hair loss most patients experience is a response to rapid weight loss and the nutritional changes that accompany it.

Below we explain why this happens, what you can do to reduce the risk, and when it makes sense to see a physician.

What Is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a high-dose injectable formulation of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It is the same active ingredient as Ozempic, but approved specifically for chronic weight management rather than diabetes. Wegovy is administered once weekly and works by reducing appetite and slowing gastric emptying, helping patients consume less food overall.

Because Wegovy is designed specifically for weight loss — and because patients often achieve significant weight reduction on it, sometimes 15% or more of body weight within a year — the conditions that trigger hair shedding are frequently present.

Why Wegovy Can Cause Hair Loss

The type of hair loss most commonly seen with Wegovy is called telogen effluvium — a temporary, diffuse shedding triggered by physiologic stress rather than by the drug itself.

Hair follicles require a consistent supply of nutrients to remain in the active growth phase. When caloric and nutritional intake drops significantly, as often happens in the early months of Wegovy treatment, the body responds by redirecting resources toward organs it considers essential for survival. Hair, skin, and nails are deprioritized.

Many follicles shift prematurely into the resting phase. Several months later, those hairs shed — sometimes in noticeable quantities.

The most common triggers in Wegovy patients are:

• Rapid overall weight loss
• Reduced total caloric intake
• Insufficient protein consumption
• Deficiencies in iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin D, and B vitamins

Because the shedding typically begins two to four months after the triggering event, many patients are well into their Wegovy treatment before they notice it, leading some to assume the drug itself is the problem.

How Common Is Hair Loss on Wegovy?

Hair loss was reported in clinical trials for semaglutide at higher rates than placebo. In the STEP trials — the major clinical studies that supported Wegovy’s approval — hair loss was reported by approximately 3% of participants on semaglutide compared to under 1% on placebo.

However, real-world patient reports suggest the number may be higher, particularly among patients who lose weight rapidly or do not maintain adequate nutrition during treatment. The clinical trial figure likely reflects severe or noticeable shedding; more moderate thinning may go unreported.

Does Wegovy Cause More Hair Loss Than Ozempic?

Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient — semaglutide — at different doses and for different indications. The mechanism of hair loss is identical.

The practical difference is that Wegovy patients, who are specifically pursuing significant weight loss, may lose weight more rapidly or in greater total amounts than patients using Ozempic primarily for blood sugar management. Because the degree and speed of weight loss drives the severity of telogen effluvium, some Wegovy patients experience more noticeable shedding — not because the drug is different, but because the weight loss goal may be more aggressive.

The Role of Nutrition

Maintaining adequate nutritional intake during Wegovy treatment is the single most important factor in preventing or minimizing hair shedding. This is harder than it sounds: Wegovy significantly suppresses appetite, and patients who are eating much less overall may not be getting enough of the specific nutrients hair follicles depend on.

Protein is the most critical. Hair is composed of keratin, a protein, and follicles require a steady supply of amino acids to maintain active growth. Many patients on GLP-1 medications eat less protein than they realize, particularly if their reduced appetite leads them toward lower-calorie, lower-protein choices. A general target of 60 to 100 grams of protein daily during active weight loss is commonly recommended.

Iron is the most commonly overlooked. Iron deficiency — even without frank anemia — is a well-documented trigger of hair shedding, especially in women. Patients losing weight rapidly should have ferritin levels checked, not just hemoglobin.

Zinc, biotin, and B vitamins support keratin synthesis and follicle cell function. Deficiencies are common in patients eating significantly restricted diets.

Vitamin D is associated with hair follicle cycling. Low levels are prevalent in the general population and can contribute to shedding independent of weight loss.

Practical steps: Prioritize protein at every meal. Choose nutrient-dense foods over simply eating less. Talk to your physician about baseline lab work and supplementation before or early in your Wegovy treatment.

Will Hair Grow Back?

For most patients, yes. Telogen effluvium is a temporary condition. Once weight loss slows and stabilizes and nutritional status improves, hair follicles typically return to the active growth phase. Most patients see meaningful regrowth over six to twelve months.

Several factors can delay or complicate recovery:

• Continued nutritional deficiencies
• Underlying pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) that rapid weight loss has unmasked or accelerated
• Ongoing hormonal changes related to significant weight reduction
• Prolonged or severe caloric restriction

Patients who see continued or worsening shedding beyond six months, or who notice a pattern of thinning (rather than diffuse shedding across the whole scalp) should seek professional evaluation.

When Hair Loss May Not Be Temporary

Telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) can occur at the same time — and rapid weight loss can sometimes accelerate pattern hair loss that was already developing beneath the surface.

The distinction matters because the treatments are different:

• Telogen effluvium resolves on its own with nutritional correction and time
• Androgenetic alopecia is progressive and does not resolve without treatment — options range from topical and oral medications to, in appropriate candidates, surgical hair restoration

If your shedding is severe, persistent, or accompanied by a recognizable thinning pattern at the crown or temples, a physician evaluation can determine what you are dealing with and what paths forward make sense.

How to Reduce the Risk of Hair Loss on Wegovy

• Aim for 60 to 100 grams of protein per day, spread across meals
• Choose nutrient-dense whole foods — do not just eat less, eat better
• Get labs checked before starting or early in treatment: ferritin, CBC, vitamin D, B12, zinc, thyroid panel
• Consider physician-guided supplementation: multivitamin, iron (if deficient), biotin, vitamin D
• Aim for steady, gradual weight loss rather than the fastest possible rate
• Avoid compounding stressors during the early months of treatment — other major dietary changes, illness, or extreme exercise can add to the physiologic burden

Hair Loss Evaluation in Dallas and Colleyville

If you are in the Dallas or Colleyville area and experiencing hair thinning while taking Wegovy or semaglutide, Dr. Jesse E. Smith, MD, FACS offers hair loss evaluation and hair restoration consultations at our Colleyville location.

Dr. Smith is a dual board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with subspecialty expertise in surgical hair restoration. An evaluation with Dr. Smith goes beyond a checklist — it is a physician-level assessment of whether your hair loss is temporary, progressive, or a candidate for surgical restoration, conducted by a fellowship-trained surgeon rather than a sales consultant at a chain clinic.

We serve patients from Dallas, Colleyville, and the broader DFW area.

Schedule a hair restoration consultation

Key Takeaways

• Hair loss from Wegovy is common and typically related to rapid weight loss and reduced nutritional intake, not to semaglutide directly damaging hair follicles
• The most common mechanism is telogen effluvium — a temporary, diffuse shedding triggered by physiologic stress
• Adequate protein and micronutrient intake during treatment is the most important protective factor
• Most patients see hair recovery once weight loss stabilizes and nutrition improves
• Persistent, worsening, or patterned hair loss warrants professional evaluation to rule out underlying androgenetic alopecia
• Dallas and Colleyville patients can schedule a hair loss evaluation with Dr. Smith at our Colleyville practice

Jesse E. Smith, MD, FACS
Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Fort Worth and Colleyville, Texas

By Dr. Jesse E. Smith, MD, FACS
Facial Plastic Surgeon

Today we’re gonna talk about upper and lower lid blepharoplasty Are you tired of looking tired? Eyelid surgery can make a bigger difference than you might think. Hi, I’m Dr. Jesse Smith. I’m a board certified facial plastic surgeon in Fort Worth, Texas.

Upper and lower lid blepharoplasty are two of the most common procedures that we do. Especially around the upper third of the face to help people look less tired. They remove heaviness from the upper eyelids, and then also some of the bagging from the lower eyelids The surgery’s designed to take away some of the skin and fat that are redundant in those areas and it can improve peripheral vision as well.

Lower lid blepharoplasty smooths the puffiness in the bags beneath the eyes, and we either remove or reposition the fat in that area. Then we tighten the skin. Sometimes we tie it in the canthus as well. It gives you a more youthful and contoured look underneath the eye without changing your natural appearance. These procedures are often combined with balanced natural results so that we can get the upper and lower done at the same time. And treating the both the upper and lower lids together, create harmony across the eyes and give a more complete and rejuvenated look to the patient.

Recovery is straightforward and tailored to your goals. You can expect some swelling for approximately one to two weeks after the procedure and a little bit of bruising. Most of the time we can get you back to work within one to two weeks for both the upper and lower lids and it’s discreet and results typically last for years.

If your eyes are making you look older or more tired than you feel, come in for a consultation.Let’s talk about upper and lower lid blepharoplasty and if the procedure’s right for you.

By Dr. Jesse E. Smith, MD, FACS
Facial Plastic Surgeon

We have this thing we call Tech Neck. It’s from people doing this all day [mimes looking down at phone].

We get two or three horizontal lines across the neck here. And what we’ve just done is a combination of Volbella and Skinvive mixed one to one together. This is super soft and tends to just make tissue hydrated and it kind of blends with Volbella, so it’s really soft in the neck.

And we’ve just injected this Tech Neck. You’ll see just a little bit of fullness or a row that’ll go down within 24 hours. But these lines are now softer and diminished tilt your head down and then back up again, and then down again. And usually the swelling goes away within 24 to 48 hours. It works great.

By Dr. Jesse E. Smith, MD, FACS
Facial Plastic Surgeon

What should someone ask a rhinoplasty surgeon before committing?

Number one, how many have they done and do they do?

And that might not be putting a precise number to it. Nobody knows if they’ve done 1624 or an exact amount. But if they’re doing 1 or 2 a week, and they have been doing that for quite a while, and they have fairly good before and after photos, fairly good reviews, they can fix functional issues. I think that’s a good question to ask.

Complication rates? Also, a good question to ask. And how many revisions do they do of their own patients and other people’s patients on average?

By Dr. Jesse E. Smith, MD, FACS
Facial Plastic Surgeon

A couple of the most common questions we have asked for hair transplant patients are: am I a candidate? And then two is what are my results going to be? And then three is am I going to need more than one transplant?

There are multiple ways to answer those questions, but most people that still have a decent amount of hair on top of their head are candidates.

We have good results, but it depends on how much you’ve lost or whether you need one or two, sometimes three procedures, but you never know unless you ask. And, we’ve got plenty of folks to answer those questions.

By Dr. Jesse E. Smith, MD, FACS
Facial Plastic Surgeon

The number one mistake I think people make when researching rhinoplasty surgeons is they look at before and after photos only. A lot of photos unfortunately these days are touched up. So we want real photos and good light of people.

And then the other thing I think that people do is they don’t really look at surgeons that can repair breathing issues as well. A lot of people have breathing issues whether they know it or not.

And some of the cosmetic rhinoplasty docs don’t really address breathing. And I see a lot of those come back as secondary rhinoplasties in my practice where they should have been fixed the first time.

By Dr. Jesse E. Smith, MD, FACS
Facial Plastic Surgeon

How did Botox become a cosmetic treatment?

So Dr Alastair Carruthers, who recently died, was a dermatologist and his wife was actually an ophthalmologist. And ophthalmologists are eye doctors. She had a number of patients who had blepharosplasm, which is where the eye muscle contracts quite a bit and it actually does it throughout the day and it’s quite bothersome. And then also strabismus, which is where people can get a little bit of a lazy eye.

They started using Botox in those in the early 1980s in some clinical trials. And by mid to late 1980s, they really started to notice that the crow’s feet and some of the brows really started to dissipate with wrinkles for patients who were treated even three to six months.

Jean told her husband, Alastair, he was a dermatologist, that this was going on, so he started using Botox in some patients, off label, and trying to soften their lines around their eyes. And by 2002 It had enough clinical trials to become not only approved in the 1980s for non cosmetic use, which is blepharospasm and the strabismus, but then went on to become cosmetic use.

That really revolutionized the non invasive procedures that would start to perform even in every plastic surgeon’s office, but also in dermatology oculoplastic surgery, across the board. And it opened the gateway for minimally invasive procedures. It opened the gateway for all of our volumizing injectables.

It’s just really turned the table from everything is surgery to now we have other options that are less invasive.

Now Botox has over 100 medical patents, so we use it in beauty for certain, but it can be used in hyperhidrosis, which is excess sweating of palms and hands and armpits. Overactive urinary bladder. We use it to increase blood flow to, in plastic surgery, to flaps and reconstructive areas. Migraine headaches. Dystonia for children that have chronic muscle spasms that pull their head or their body into certain patterns, for relief of those. And that’s just a few to mention. There’s over 100 medical patents. Pretty amazing stuff. And we use it actually in burn patients to release scar tissue because it actually remodels scar tissue into a better type of skin.

On the cosmetic side, what is trending right now?

There for a while Nefertiti lift was a big deal. It was basically named after Queen Nefertiti, who was known to have a long, beautiful neck. The idea was that people would put Botox along the platysma muscle, which is this muscle that moves the neck.

And the thought was that muscle was actually moving the face down a bit. And by paralyzing it, it would actually lead to a little bit of lift. It was okay, successful in younger patients and the right patient population. Certainly didn’t work in everyone, which is true for all things in cosmetic surgery.

And we did find it somewhat useful for some of the platysmal bands. And that Nefertiti lift then evolved into injecting the platysmal bands, these muscle bands. And that was actually more successful than the Nefertiti lift itself, but it was a social media craze for a while.

We now also have the lip flip. And lip flip also has its advantages and disadvantages. For people who use straws or chronic pursers of their lip. We tend to get these vertical lines around the lip and so we inject those with small units of Botox and that can relax those out. The lip flip itself is best done in younger patients who tend to purse a little bit and when they purse, their lip rolls under and so we put just a little Botox, two or three units along each side and that then allows the lip to roll back up and over.

I would say that it’s not effective as a filler, but if for people who are looking just to do a little bit of something and to get a soft but a natural result, if they’re young enough and have the right anatomy, it’s a home run.

What about the Botox “freeze face”?

Botox is an individual sort of thing that we do. Everybody has different facial movements and motions. Some people force their lips, some people wrinkle their chin.

I’m a frowner, when I think. Botox is used selectively in areas. And when we put Botox in, we have the option of how much we put in. How many units do we use? And the amount that we put in equals not only the duration, but also the effect that we get. So if someone wants more movement in their forehead then we can lightly sprinkle these lines up here so we still get surprise and elevation and friendly looks.

But we don’t have to get the wrinkle down, “I’m mad,” so we would put more here to decrease the frown and leave this slightly done, so that we don’t get wrinkles here, but we still have movement. That’s the art of it. You don’t have to, it’s not a light switch. It’s not all or nothing. Yes, you can get a frozen look if somebody puts too much in the wrong place.

But it can be artful and beautiful and natural if someone who knows what they’re doing is doing it. And looking at the anatomy and treating the anatomy and the person instead of just everybody’s the same.

Is Botox permanent?

So Botox is not permanent and that can be a good and a bad thing. So if you have an injection that you do and it was permanent and you really liked it, that’d be great. However, if someone did a Botox injection on you and you didn’t really like the job, at least it’s not permanent. Botox lasts about three to four months. It can stretch to six in some people. And like I’ve said before, dose equals duration. So if we increase your dosage, then you will get a longer duration out of it. Unfortunately, it’s not permanent. But it can last a long time.

And if it’s done right, it should last at least three months. People do, in some cases, start to see it wear off at about the tenth week, and those tend to be our very active people athletes and very expressionist people like a lot of our folks that do plays and are actors and singers.

Is Botox toxic or dangerous?

So Botox is toxic, is not dangerous. I always joke with my patients that have asked me this question that I figured it out. It would take about eight vials, 800 units of Botox placed in your veins to kill you. And I always joke with them, I was like, there are a lot cheaper ways to die.

Even if we get a little bit mistakenly into a vein or artery, it is not lethal whatsoever. We’re using such small dosages in the muscles and putting them in such precise locations that this doesn’t get spread throughout the rest of the body. It stays where we place it, and that’s what we want.

So we place it in the muscle belly, in the precise location.

Do you only need Botox when wrinkles are deep?

This is a great question and also a bit of a myth. We actually prefer to start seeing patients when their wrinkles occur. When we see patients that come in with deep wrinkles, Botox is actually a little bit more disappointing to them because they’ve already had these wrinkles form over years and now we’re trying to undo years of, these deep lines.

Can it be done? Absolutely. But people are a little disappointed to hear that it might take 12 to 18 months of Botox instead of 3 to 6 months of Botox to fix their problem. So we do like to see people when they first start to occur or have had them for about a year or so.

It’s a lot easier to fix in that situation. Again, it’s an ounce of prevention, pound of cure.

Is Botox addictive?

Botox has no addictive substances whatsoever in it. It is not a drug that is considered an addictive substance. People are addicted to it because they look good if it’s done well, and for that reason, most people want to keep up Botox on a fairly consistent basis, especially if they have a great result with it.

Which goes back to the other question of if I stop my Botox, I look worse than when I started. That’s one of my other favorite. And we take pictures for every client that comes in, and I love to show patients their pictures after they’ve been on Botox and their, before the patients came in, their very first picture with us.

People get used to how they look, especially after three to six months of looking great with, a few fine lines and wrinkles, and then when they stop and go back to where they were, they think they look worse, but they look exactly the same as when they came in.

Is Botox painful?

Botox is not especially painful. I wish that we could walk it in without a needle, but we can’t. In my clinic, we use the smallest, thinnest needle that there is. We buy them special from TSK. They’re made in Japan. They’re really sharp, fine needle. So it hurts about as little as it possibly can for a little needle stick.

We rarely have any patients complain about the pain of the needle sticks. It’s not especially painful. It’s not like any pain medicine or any special treatment to get Botox for.

Does Botox work immediately?

Botox does not work immediately. It would be great if it did. I think that’s one of the things I’d change about it. What has to happen is the Botox molecule actually has to get into the nerve that’s supplying the muscle and stop the transmission of this neurotransmitter that jumps across the nerve to make the muscle move.

That takes about 3 days to start to happen. So I always tell my patients, listen, you’re not going to get out to your car and instantly have results. Please don’t come back in and say you didn’t get your money’s worth. Give it three days. Three days it’s going to start to work. Two weeks is the maximum effect.

And then it will slowly wear off over the course of about three to four months.

Is Botox just for women?

Botox is not just for women. We have a large clientele of women just because they like to come in and look good, but we also have a fairly large clientele of men. I’ve been doing my own Botox since I was about 32 years old because, as I mentioned earlier, when I think, I get the frown lines. I got actually tired of people asking me, are you mad?

And I was like, no, I’m just trying to think. So it takes a lot of effort to think. So we have a large clientele of men that come in for Botox that just want to look better, look refreshed. And as men, especially in me, we get a very heavy brow. And then when we wrinkle and frown, or, this comes down, it looks even heavier.

And so we look a little bit more mad or mean than what we intend to be. Plus we do squint a lot. We get a fine crow’s feet. It works great for that. It’s soft. It can look good. You can still have expression and not have deep lines.

Does Botox continue to work as effectively over time?

A lot of people have the question, does Botox continue to work as effectively over time? And it actually does. There’s very few people that have become immune to Botox. We’re sticklers at my clinic to, we’re like, you cannot have your Botox unless you’ve not had it in 10 to 12 weeks.

We don’t want to give small doses, in frequent intervals. That’s basically giving somebody allergy immunotherapy and you can become immune to it. When I trained in LA we had several people that used to go around and they’d go to lunch and they’d notice a line and then they’d come in and get that little bit injected and so they’re getting small doses in frequent intervals and then it got to be where we couldn’t even dump a five gallon bucket of Botox on them and you know nothing would work and so that was very unfortunate.

I was glad that I saw it while I was there, so we’re very regimented with our patients about, it’s got to be 10 to 12 weeks from your last treatment. If you’re going to get it done, get it all done at once. It’s very effective over time, especially if it works for you. And what I like to do is use the analogy of we’re going to put your arm in a cast.

And so most people can understand this if we put your arm in a cast for six or eight weeks, when we take it out, It’s going to be way smaller than the opposite side. So we’ve told that muscle that you can’t work for six to eight weeks. And that muscle does a thing in medicine called atrophy. It gets smaller because it’s not being used. And then the person has to build that muscle back up, and then it can get to the opposite side. We’re doing a very similar thing to the facial muscles. We’re telling them, okay, you can’t work as effectively as you used to. And while they can still move their face and it can look good, we’re telling that muscle to atrophy a little bit or to slim down a little bit and not be as effective.

If we continue that for months and months, over time for months and years, that muscle will continue to be atrophied. And so it can then begin to space people’s treatments out as much as six to nine months. between treatments because the muscle has gotten to a such a small amount that we don’t have to use as much Botox or we don’t have to do it as frequently.

By Ashley Gregory
Patient Care Coordinator

Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of Ask Ashley. Where we talk all things plastic surgery and aesthetic treatments here at the office of Dr. Jesse Smith. Today, I am sharing some amazing non surgical options for hair loss that we are offering through our partnership with Get Hair MD. No matter your age or gender, if you’ve been noticing hair thinning or struggling with advancing hair loss, these could be the perfect solutions for you.

TrichoTest by Fagron Genomics

First, let’s dive into the TrichoTest by Fagron Genomics. This is an incredibly advanced test that gives us a personalized approach to treating hair loss. There are so many options out there, and it seems like everyone on social media wants to sell you pills or creams for your hair. But you need to remember there is no one size fits all treatment.

What works for someone else may not work for you. You are unique and so is your treatment. The TrichoTest helps solve that problem. How does it work? It’s simple. We just take a quick and painless cheek swab. No needles, no pain. And what does this test do? It analyzes your DNA to determine which ingredients will be most effective for you.

Based on how your body metabolizes them. It tells us exactly the best ingredients for you and fighting hair loss. No more guessing, no more wasting time or money on products that might not even work for you. We can customize both oral and topical medications based on these results. And just one quick appointment, we’ll do the cheek swab, ask you a few questions, and in about two weeks we have your customized results ready. From there, we can start you on a custom treatment plan. It’s really that simple.

Revian Red Light Therapy LED Cap

Next, the latest option that we offer has been well worth the wait. The Revian Red Light Therapy LED Cap. This is an extremely easy and portable way to stimulate hair growth. The benefits of red light therapy are nothing new. It’s been used for more than 50 years. But the Revian cap is unique because it combines two specific wavelengths of LED light to improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and block DHT, the hormone related to hair loss.

With over 60 patents, this innovative cap is backed by science to get you the best result. 119 medical grade LEDs provide complete scalp coverage and precise penetration, bathing your entire scalp in powerful light and targeting the right part of your hair follicle to maximize hair growth. Plus, it’s super easy to use.

You wear it for 10 minutes a day. Seriously, 10 minutes a day. And it’s all controlled by a simple app on your phone. And here’s the best part, we have them available in our offices so you can start your treatment right away.

Best of Both Worlds

Both of these treatments, the TrichoTest and the Revian Red Light Therapy Cap are excellent for both men and women of all adult ages. Whether you’re just starting to notice a little thinning or are dealing with more advanced hair loss, these treatments are a great place to start. They also work well to support hair growth, if you are considering or have already had a hair transplant. Protect your investment. The key here is that both of these options help stop additional hair loss and can help bring back your confidence. So if you’re looking to explore non surgical hair restoration options, give us a call to schedule your consultation.

Remember, it’s never too early or too late to start taking care of your hair. Thanks for watching and as always, if you have any questions, leave them in the comments below or reach out to us directly. Don’t forget to follow Dr. Jesse Smith for more videos like this one. Stay confident and stay informed.

See you next time.

By Ashley Gregory
Patient Care Coordinator

Hi there and welcome back to our video series where we dive into the ins and outs of facial plastic surgery. Today we’re going to talk about what you can expect when recovering from a hair transplant. I want to make sure you’re well prepared for the journey ahead. Let’s get started.

Preparing for a hair transplant recovery.

What Can I Expect During the Hair Transplant Recovery Process?

All right, let’s kick things off with what you can expect right after your hair transplant.

The initial healing phase. Expect some redness and swelling in the transplant area for the first few days. It’s all a part of the process, like as a sunburn fades over time.

Depending on if you had an FUE or an FUT procedure, you may or may not have sutures on the back of your head. There’s also scabbing and shedding. Tiny scabs will form around the transplanted hairs and typically shed around 14 days. Don’t worry, this is completely normal. It’s also common for some hairs to come off with the scabs, but don’t worry because the actual follicle is already implanted in your scalp and should have its blood supplied by this point.

New hair growth. Patience is key. New hair will start to grow around three to four months post surgery with full results visible in nine to twelve months. The hairs will get thicker over time as well. Usually 18 months after surgery is when you’ve made a full recovery.

What Should I Do Immediately After My Hair Transplant?

Let’s get into those crucial first steps right after your surgery.

Follow post op instructions. Your surgeon will provide a detailed care instructions and stick to them like glue.

Be very gentle with your hair care, especially when washing your hair. Use a mild baby shampoo mixed in a cup of water and avoid scrubbing the transplanted area. Around two weeks post op, you’ll be able to resume your normal hair washing habits.

Do not wear a hat or put any hair products in your hair. You’ll also want to protect your scalp, keep your head elevated and avoid direct sunlight. Do not wear a hat while you still have scabs. And if you do have to wear a hat after that point, make sure you wear it very loose. You want to make sure the wind can blow it off, and only wear it for short periods of time.

How Can I Manage Pain and Discomfort During the Initial Days Post-Transplant?

Managing discomfort is easier than you might think.

You’ll have pain medication and take your prescribed pain medications as directed by your surgeon. They’re designed to keep you comfortable. Pushing through the pain can actually raise your blood pressure and push out the grafts before they are healed and ready.

Cold compresses. So you can apply ice to your forehead or over your eyes to help reduce swelling. Just be careful not to place ice directly on the transplanted area.

Rest and relaxation. Take it easy and rest. Your body heals faster when you’re relaxed and not stressed.

What Are the Typical Patterns of Swelling and Shedding?

Understanding the normal recovery signs can ease your worries.

Swelling. Swelling typically peaks around day two or three and should start to subside by the end of the first week. Swelling is most common on the forehead and eyes.

The shedding phase. The transplanted hairs will shed around two to three weeks after the procedure. Don’t panic, this is a normal part of the growth cycle.

Long term growth. New hair growth usually begins around three to four months with the most noticeable changes by the six month mark.

How Long Should I Rest Before Resuming Normal Activities?

Here’s your guide to getting back on your feet.

The initial rest period. Take it easy for the first two to three days. Avoid any strenuous activities. You’ll want to avoid any physical activities like heavy lifting and vigorous exercise for at least four weeks to prevent strain to the transplanted area.

And protect your scalp. Avoid activities that could impact your scalp, like contact sports, for at least a month. If you have to wear a helmet of any kind, first, get the go ahead from your surgeon, and we recommend to wear a bandana underneath to help protect your new follicles from friction that can damage them.

Are There Dietary Recommendations to Aid Recovery?

What you eat can make a big difference.

Stick to a nutrient rich diet, focused on a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Foods high in protein, iron, and vitamins A, C, and E are particularly beneficial.

And stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Hydration supports overall healing. And avoid alcohol and caffeine because they can dehydrate you and actually interfere with the healing process.

What Can I Expect During Follow Up Appointments?

Follow up appointments are your recovery checkpoints.

They’re crucial for monitoring. These visits are essential to ensure everything is healing properly and to address any concerns. You’ll get healing assessments, so your surgeon will check the healing of the transplants and donor sites and can provide additional care instructions if needed.

Long term monitoring. Regular follow ups over the first year help track hair growth and ensure the best possible outcome.

What Are Signs of Complications?

Know when to seek help for infection symptoms. So watch for signs of infection such as excessive redness, swelling, pus, or fever. Contact your surgeon immediately if these occur.

Excessive bleeding. Some bleeding is normal, but if you experience significant or prolonged bleeding from the transplant site, seek medical attention.

And severe pain. Persistent pain that isn’t relieved by medication should be reported to your surgeon.

How Long Does it Take to See Final Results?

Patience is key with hair transplants.

There are gradual results. So initial shedding occurs within the first few weeks, with new growth starting around three to four months post surgery.

Full results typically tell nine to twelve months.

Use gentle shampoos and avoid harsh hair treatments to protect your new hair growth.

And keeping a healthy lifestyle. Maintain a healthy diet, manage stress, and avoid smoking to support long term hair health and maintain transplant results.

And there you have it, a comprehensive guide to recovering from a hair transplant.

Remember, every recovery journey is unique, so always follow your surgeon’s advice and be patient and trust the process. Thanks for watching!