Why GLP-1s Are Helping The Hair Care Industry
GLP-1 weight loss drugs are causing hair loss in many users, creating a significant business opportunity for the hair care industry. The hair loss is attributed not to the drugs directly, but to the rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies they cause. By 2030, an estimated 25 million Americans will be on GLP-1 medications, expanding the market further.
Summary
GLP-1 weight loss drugs, while helping millions of Americans shed pounds, are producing a notable side effect: hair loss. This has opened what industry experts are calling a 'category reset' worth approximately $1 billion for the hair treatment industry. One GLP-1 user interviewed for the segment described her previously thick hair falling out in clumps after about a year on the medication.
According to Accenture's global beauty lead, hair loss is among the most significant side effects the beauty industry is monitoring, particularly as GLP-1 drugs become more accessible. Crucially, the hair thinning is not caused by the drugs themselves but by the rapid weight loss they induce, which shocks the body and creates nutrient deficiencies. Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have acknowledged hair loss as an identified risk associated with their respective GLP-1 products.
The scale of the opportunity is substantial. Currently about 1 in 8 U.S. adults report taking a GLP-1, and that number is projected to grow from 5 million in 2023 to 25 million by 2030. GLP-1 users tend to spend about 30% more on beauty products and represent a sticky consumer base, since hair treatment results take months to appear, encouraging long-term purchasing.
Major brands are responding aggressively. Redken, owned by L'Oreal, launched a hair treatment line specifically tested on GLP-1 users. Nutrafol is reporting increased demand for its hair growth supplements, and KeraFactor claims 100% year-over-year growth in its direct-to-consumer store driven by GLP-1 user interest. Ulta Beauty also noted increased consumer purchases of hair treatment products tied to the GLP-1 trend.
Broader industry trends are reinforcing this shift. Since the pandemic, consumers have been gravitating toward science-backed, clinically-proven, and dermatologist-endorsed products — a movement that started in skincare and is now migrating into haircare. Experts suggest the winning brands will be those that combine scientific credibility with aesthetic appeal. On a personal note, the individual featured in the story did eventually experience hair regrowth, though it required multiple products, years of effort, and considerable experimentation.
About this episode
Millions of Americans are taking GLP-1s and some of their side effects are creating new opportunities for the beauty industry. Hair loss is one of the most common reactions. Now, hair care companies like Nutrafol, Redken and KeraFactor are seeing a boost from shoppers on GLP-1s who are looking to support hair growth. CNBC’s Laya Neelakandan has the details. Produced and Shot by: Natalie Rice Reporting by: Laya Neelakandan Edited by: Andrea Miller Animation: Jason Reginato Senior Director of Video: Lindsey Jacobson Additional Footage: Getty Images, Nutrafol, KeraFactor » Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC » Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision About CNBC: From 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more. Want to get ahead at work? Then you need to learn how to make effective small talk. In CNBC’s new online course, How To Talk To People At Work, expert instructors teach you how to use everyday conversation to gain visibility, build meaningful relationships and advance your career. Use coupon code EARLYBIRD for 20% off. Offer valid from April 20, 2026 to May 4, 2026. Terms apply. https://cnb.cx/4sGlSkh Connect with CNBC News Online Get the latest news: https://www.cnbc.com/ Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC Follow CNBC News on Instagram: https://cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC Follow CNBC News on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBC Follow CNBC on Threads: https://cnb.cx/threads Follow CNBC News on X: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBC Follow CNBC on WhatsApp: https://cnb.cx/WhatsAppCNBC #CNBC Why GLP-1s Are Helping The Hair Care Industry
Key Insights
- Accenture's global beauty lead argues that GLP-1-induced hair loss is caused not by the drugs themselves but by the rapid weight loss, which shocks the body and creates nutrient deficiencies — distinguishing the root cause as metabolic rather than pharmacological.
- Industry analysts characterize GLP-1 users as a uniquely valuable consumer segment, claiming they spend about 30% more on beauty products and represent long-term customers because hair treatment results take months to appear, naturally extending purchasing cycles.
- KeraFactor reported 100% year-over-year growth in its direct-to-consumer store attributed to increased interest from GLP-1 users, while Redken created an entire hair treatment line specifically tested on GLP-1 users — signaling that brands are moving beyond general positioning to GLP-1-specific product development.
Topics
Transcript
[0:00] As GLP-1 drugs help millions of Americans lose weight, more and more users report dealing with side effects like hair loss, and that's creating $1 billion opportunity for the hair treatment industry. It's not just a trend. I would call it a whole category reset with a wide space of opportunity for both life science and beauty brands. I spoke with one GLP-1 user who experienced hair loss while she was on the weight loss drug. She said she used to have really thick hair, but it took a full year before she noticed it was falling out in clumps. [0:33] Accenture's global beauty lead said it's one of the most significant side effects that the beauty industry is…
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