Sophia Umansky, daughter of Real Housewives star Kyle Richards, is opening up about an unexpected and concerning side effect of taking the popular weight-loss drug Mounjaro. The 25-year-old took to TikTok on April 30 to share her experience with her followers, revealing that the medication, which she started taking about four months ago, has been causing her significant hair loss.
The Unexpected Side Effect: Hair Loss from Mounjaro
In her candid TikTok video, Umansky explained that while she was initially excited about the weight loss benefits of Mounjaro, she had begun noticing “dramatic hair loss” over the past month. “I am very lucky that I have so much hair, because at the rate that I’ve been losing hair, I’m gonna be bald in about a week,” she said, detailing the extent of the issue. Although her hair appeared shiny and thick in the video, Umansky showed clips from her shower, revealing alarming amounts of hair left behind in the drain and on the wall.
“It’s a lot worse than it even looks in these videos, because you’re only seeing what comes out in the shower and what comes out before and after the shower,” she continued. The video demonstrated how easily clumps of hair fell out every day when she ran her fingers through her hair, highlighting the distressing reality she is facing.
What is Mounjaro and Its Link to Hair Loss?
Mounjaro, like its cousin Ozempic, is a medication designed to manage type 2 diabetes and is also known for its weight-loss benefits. While not directly linked to hair loss, rapid weight loss—especially when accompanied by insufficient nutrition—can lead to excessive shedding. The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide, which works by reducing appetite and promoting weight loss, but Umansky suspects that the medication’s impact on her appetite has led to her not eating enough vitamins and protein, further contributing to her hair thinning.
“I think it’s a direct result of rapid weight loss because of the medication and not eating enough vitamins, protein, all that kind of stuff,” she explained. In an effort to combat the hair loss, she has been focusing on improving her diet and taking additional supplements. Umansky shared that she has incorporated more vitamins and protein into her meals, as well as using various hair products to try and mitigate the damage, including Pura D’or’s Hair Thinning Therapy shampoo, OMI hair growth peptides, Vital proteins collagen peptides, and Grüns vitamins.
Public Reactions: Mixed Responses to Umansky’s Honesty
As expected, Umansky’s TikTok video received a range of reactions from viewers. Some fans expressed concern and questioned why she, in particular, would need to take weight-loss medication, with one commenter writing, “This is wild. She was never overweight to begin with. Kyle check in on your daughter.” However, many others praised Umansky for her transparency, with one user commenting, “We shouldn’t shame her for being so transparent. We should praise her and hope other influencers follow suit with being so honest.”
In today’s celebrity culture, where weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro have become increasingly popular among both public figures and their offspring (aka “nepo babies”), Umansky’s openness about her experience is noteworthy. Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey have also been open about their use of these medications, making it less of a surprise when another high-profile figure reveals they’ve been using weight-loss drugs.
The increasing prevalence of medications like Mounjaro and Ozempic for weight loss among celebrities and influencers has sparked ongoing discussions about body image, health, and the pressures of maintaining a certain appearance in the public eye. As more celebrities admit to using such drugs, it’s becoming clearer that these medications are not just for those with medical conditions like type 2 diabetes—they’ve now entered the realm of weight management for those seeking to lose pounds quickly.
While some question the ethics of using such medications for weight loss, others argue that the growing trend simply reflects the current state of celebrity culture, where appearance is often paramount. The conversation surrounding the risks and benefits of weight-loss drugs is only beginning to unfold, and Umansky’s video adds another layer to this ongoing dialogue.