If your part looks wider during GLP-1 treatment, include the exposed scalp in your outdoor routine.

Check the brim all around

CDC recommends a brim around the entire hat that shades the face, ears and back of the neck. A baseball cap needs additional protection for the ears and neck, such as clothing, sunscreen or shade. [2]

Try the hat with your usual hairstyle. Check the crown, ears and back of your neck in a mirror before relying on that coverage.

Inspect the fabric and label

CDC recommends tightly woven fabric such as canvas and avoiding straw hats with holes that let sunlight through. A darker hat may provide more UV protection. [2]

AAD's clothing guidance recommends dense fabrics and a UPF number on the label for more effective protection. A hat's appearance alone does not tell you its tested rating. [3]

Plan for uncovered skin

AAD recommends broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on skin not covered by clothing. Reapply every two hours outdoors and immediately after swimming or sweating. Include exposed scalp in that plan. [1]

Shade still matters. CDC recommends protective clothing and sunscreen even when you sit under a tree or umbrella. [2]

These are US sun-protection recommendations, not a GLP-1 hair-regrowth trial or an explanation for thinning. For new shedding, read our hair assessment guide.

This article provides general education, not a diagnosis or an individual treatment plan. Medication information refers to US sources. Discuss medication, nutrition and cosmetic treatment decisions with qualified clinicians.

Sources

  1. How to apply sunscreen, updated August 15, 2025American Academy of Dermatology↩ Back to text
  2. Sun Safety Facts, updated June 17, 2026US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention↩ Back to text
  3. What to wear to protect your skin from the sunAmerican Academy of Dermatology↩ Back to text