Weight-Loss Drug Boom Fuels Demand for Hair-Restoration Products
The growing popularity of GLP-1 medications is leading to increased sales of hair care treatments as users seek to counteract thinning or loss.
Sales of hair treatment products are rising as a direct consequence of the increasing demand for weight-loss drugs, according to retailers Superdrug and Boots.
The medications, known for brand names such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, are administered via weekly injections and function by suppressing appetite. However, a common side effect reported by users is hair thinning or loss, prompting a surge in demand for specialized hair care.
Superdrug reported a 14.9 percent increase in online doctor appointments for hair loss over the past year. Concurrently, sales of medicated hair care products have seen a significant rise of 28.8 percent over the last two years. The chemist also noted a 27.7 percent increase in hair treatment sales since 2024, a period that aligns with the growing use of these weight-loss injections.
Researchers at Worldpanel by Numerator indicate that approximately 6 percent of households now include at least one user of these appetite-suppressing drugs, a notable increase from 2.3 percent in 2024. An estimated 1.9 million Britons are believed to be using these injections.
Chelsey Saunders, director of haircare, skincare, and fragrance at Boots, observed a direct correlation between the increasing discussions around GLP-1 medications and a heightened customer interest in hair and scalp health. "We’re also seeing an increased interest in hair and scalp health, reflected in the types of products customers are seeking within the haircare category," Saunders stated.
She further noted that consumers are becoming more ingredient-focused, with products containing beneficial amino acids like keratin and collagen experiencing high demand. This trend mirrors similar developments in the skincare market. "Concerns around thinning hair, shedding and density have pushed customers to seek out targeted solutions," Saunders explained. "As a result, demand for efficacy-led products is accelerating."
Boots is also observing a trend where shoppers are actively seeking products and routines popularized on social media platforms. The influence of figures like Abbey Yung, an influencer and hair expert with 3.1 million followers who shared an extensive 11-step hair care routine, has driven sales of specific products, such as a £21 anti-hair loss scalp serum from Pantene.
Saunders added that professionals such as trichologists, dermatologists, and pharmacists are emerging as influential voices in the beauty space, with their recommendations having a tangible impact on consumer purchasing decisions. "We’re seeing trichologists, dermatologists and pharmacists becoming the new influencers, and their impact is very real," she said.