Statins are drugs that lower your low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, but reports indicate they can also occasionally trigger reversible hair loss by disrupting cholesterol processes in the hair follicles. All UK-licensed statins have reported cases, though it affects fewer than 1% of users. Diagnosis is essential, as many other, more common causes of hair loss may be responsible.
Discover how statins may contribute to hair loss, what the evidence shows, and how to identify whether they’re the true cause. You can also find potential treatment options, medication alternatives, and guidance on safely managing cholesterol while protecting your hair, so you can make informed decisions with the support of your doctor.
Key takeaways
Statins are medicines that are prescribed to people with high cholesterol. They help reduce the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol produced by your body.
Statins inhibit the activity of the HMG CoA reductase enzyme, which is necessary for the production of cholesterol.
While statins mainly work in the liver, they can also affect cholesterol pathways in other places around the body, including the hair follicles.
All 5 UK-licensed statins have been linked with hair loss, based on reports from the Commission on Human Medicines [1]. These are atorvastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, and rosuvastatin.
The statin you’re prescribed depends on how high your cholesterol levels are, which other medications you’re taking, pre-existing conditions, and other factors. So you may not be able to switch to another statin based on the side effects you’re experiencing, although your doctor should consider any concerns you have about side effects.
Alopecia affects less than 1% of statin users [1]. According to reports received by the Commission on Human Medicines, just 2.3% of reported statin adverse reactions related to alopecia [1]. Here’s the breakdown by individual statin:
Individual case reports haven’t yet offered an explanation for exactly why statins can cause hair loss [2-3]. One animal study suggests cholesterol can promote proliferation of hair follicle stem cells, thereby increasing hair growth [4]. Statins inhibit cholesterol production, lessening its effect on these stem cells and therefore reducing growth.
Other studies have found that problems with cholesterol synthesis in the hair follicle can also inhibit hair growth [5-6]. Statins intentionally block cholesterol synthesis; while they’re intended to work in the liver, they can also affect the cholesterol-producing enzyme in the hair follicles.
Reports of hair loss are associated with all statins currently licensed in the UK. There’s limited research to indicate whether other statins, such as lovastatin and pitavastatin, are also linked with hair loss.
If alopecia is caused by suppressing cholesterol, it’s likely that any statin could have a similar effect.
First, it’s important to establish that statins are the actual cause of your hair loss. Many other causes are much more likely, from male pattern baldness to stress-related hair loss. Hair loss related to statin use may be more sudden than pattern baldness, which develops gradually along the hairline and temples, before affecting the crown.
Trichologists at our award-winning hair transplant clinic can diagnose the real cause of your hair loss. Although we specialise in hair transplantation, this isn’t always an appropriate solution, so we work with you to establish the cause and find the best possible treatment path for you. This may involve one or more of the following options.
Minoxidil is a topical hair loss solution that helps increase blood flow to the hair follicles. This helps more oxygen and nutrients reach the follicles, stimulating hair growth. It’s a first-line treatment for many different types of alopecia, so may be recommended as a first port of call.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy for hair loss is a minimally invasive procedure that involves extracting a sample of your blood, extracting the platelet-rich plasma, then reinjecting this to promote cell proliferation in your hair follicles. PRP treatment needs to be repeated several times to maintain the benefits.
If statins are proven to be a major contributor to your hair loss and it’s having an impact on other areas of your life, you may be advised to consider changing your statin dose or type. However, this should only be done with the support of your GP.
You should only stop taking statins or change your dose if advised to do so by your doctor. High LDL cholesterol can put you at greater risk of having heart problems or a stroke. Statins play a really important role in lowering LDL cholesterol, reducing the risk of these serious conditions.
Because there’s limited research into exactly why statins can cause hair loss, the types of hair loss it can cause remain unknown. It’s most likely to be telogen effluvium, which happens when your body is under stress.
Statins can increase your body’s stress perception by disrupting normal biological processes. This may cause the follicles’ growth phase to shorten, making more hair fall out at once.
The good news is that telogen effluvium is almost always reversible. As your body adjusts to the new medication, your hair should start to regrow.
Some research explores whether statins can actually treat a type of hair loss known as alopecia areata [7-8]. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition characterised by round or oval hairless patches on the scalp.
In one case report, a man experiencing alopecia universalis (a rare type of alopecia areata resulting in hair loss all over the body) saw significant regrowth after taking simvastatin along another cholesterol-lowering drug, ezetimibe [9]. Notably, he didn’t achieve any hair regrowth taking simvastatin alone. Ezetimibe is not a statin.
While some research has corroborated these findings, other studies indicate it may not be successful for the majority of AA patients [7, 10]. In one, 14 of 19 patients (73%) were deemed responders to simvastatin/ezetimibe combined treatment. However, in another similar sized study, just 4 out of 14 patients (29%) were considered responders. So while some patients may see improvements, not all will.
Larger studies are needed to determine the effect of statins on alopecia areata.
It depends whether statins are the cause of your hair loss. If they are, stopping statins will probably lead to hair regrowth. But in the more likely event that there’s another underlying cause of hair loss, stopping statins won’t help your hair grow.
It can take several months to see visible changes in your hair after stopping or starting medication, so be patient while making any changes.
If your GP recommends it, trying non-statin drugs to control your cholesterol levels could help limit hair loss, too. Ezetimibe works by blocking the absorption of cholesterol from food into the bloodstream, and may even help treat alopecia areata [9-10].
Additionally, one study found that wood sterols (a specific type of plant sterol) can effectively lower LDL cholesterol while also helping to promote hair growth [11].
Some people can lower their cholesterol levels with lifestyle changes alone. These lifestyle factors can also be beneficial for your hair, so they’re worth trying if you’re considering coming off statins:
Minoxidil and PRP hair therapy are generally safe for those taking statins. If you have male pattern baldness, finasteride is another highly effective drug for hair loss and should generally be safe for men taking statins. Bear in mind that finasteride won’t work for statin-induced hair loss itself, but is one of the best male hair loss treatments for hormonal hair loss.
Hair loss can be highly complex, with many contributing factors. At the Wimpole Clinic, our trichology team runs effective hair loss blood tests and other diagnostics to find out exactly what’s causing your hair loss. We can then help you create a personalised treatment plan to get your hair back on track.
Book a consultation to find out more about how we can help with your hair loss.
Learn more about statins and hair loss in these frequently asked questions.
If statins are contributing to your hair loss, they may make your hair appear thinner than usual. But there’s no evidence this is linked to worsening pattern baldness; statins aren’t known to have any impact on your hormones. It’s more likely to be telogen effluvium occurring at the same time as androgenetic alopecia. Telogen effluvium is a separate and reversible type of hair loss.
Medication-related hair loss normally occurs around 3-4 months after starting the medication. The delay is due to the hair growth cycle, which differs for everyone.
Research suggests that cholesterol is beneficial for hair growth [4]. However, it’s important to keep your levels of LDL cholesterol low for your overall health.
Cholesterol-reducing therapies like statins aim to reduce LDL cholesterol levels while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. Unlike low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins can collect free cholesterol molecules within the blood vessels and carry them to the liver. That’s why HDL cholesterol is commonly known as ‘good’ cholesterol.
You can raise your HDL cholesterol levels without increasing LDL cholesterol by [11]:
Plant-based sterols are among many naturally occurring compounds that can help lower your LDL cholesterol levels. Others include soluble fibers (such as psyllium), soy protein, berberine, and some polyphenols (including bergamot). So there are alternative options if you’re concerned about statin-related hair loss.
We advise speaking to your GP if you’re concerned about the side effects of your statins before switching to another medication.
Wimpole Clinic Services:
Hair Transplants, Beard Transplants & Eyebrow Transplants.
Talk to a specialist
Dr Fotis Garagounis (GMC 7634327) is a highly experienced hair restoration doctor whose skill and precision are reflected in the consistently strong results he achieves for his patients. With more than 18 years of experience and over 2,500 hair restoration cases to date, he has helped patients across Europe and the UK restore natural density and long-term confidence.
He graduated from Sofia University of Medical Sciences in 2001 before completing his specialisation in ophthalmology at Larissa General Hospital, where he also contributed to two European studies on glaucoma.
Alongside his specialist training, Dr Garagounis developed a strong commitment to hair transplantation and has spent nearly two decades refining his expertise in both FUE and FUT STRIP techniques. His work in Greece, Cyprus and London has given him extensive international experience, and he is known for his preference for Manual FUE. He performs all graft extractions himself to ensure precision, graft integrity and patient safety.
Dr Garagounis holds full medical licences in Greece, Cyprus and the United Kingdom. He is an associate member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery.
