Have you ever woken up the day after a night of indulging in alcohol with a puffy face, dark circles under your eyes, and dry skin? Excessive alcohol consumption can cause dehydration, resulting in unhealthy-looking skin.
Why Does Alcohol Effect the Skin?
Alcohol acts like a diuretic in the body, drawing water and salts away from the skin and eliminating it through the urinary tract system, resulting in dehydration. Dehydration can make your skin look dry with sunken eyes and decreased elasticity. Long-term effects of skin dehydration can lead to the risk of skin infections, eczema, and, in severe cases, skin cancer. Read more to learn about the effects of alcohol on your skin.
Alcohol Flush Reaction
Some people experience flushing or redness of the face when drinking alcohol, called alcohol flush reaction. When your body breaks down alcohol, it releases a byproduct called acetaldehyde due to inefficient metabolization of alcohol. If this byproduct is not metabolized, it releases histamines that trigger flushing of the face. Some people who take select medications may experience flushing more than others when drinking alcohol.
Dullness and Dryness
The more dehydrated you become, the duller and dryer your skin becomes. Continued dehydration of your skin will result in a loss of elasticity and an increase in wrinkles, giving you an aged appearance.
Enlarged Pores
As your skin becomes dehydrated, the pores on your skin enlarge, making you prone to whiteheads, blackheads, and potentially acne. Alcohol is also a vasodilator that opens up your blood vessels. If they expand too much, they can burst to create a scattering of spiderweb-like veins across your skin, giving you an aging look.
Blotchiness or Rosacea
Those who have the skin condition rosacea often find that drinking alcohol can trigger the redness and blotchiness caused by rosacea. Signs and symptoms of rosacea include visible veins spread across the nose and cheeks, a flushed face, a bulbous nose, and often, swollen bumps and pustules. Scientists feel that a higher intake of alcohol can increase your risk of getting rosacea.
Sun Sensitivity
Sunlight can cause extreme pain, blistering, and burning for some people. This condition is common in families. However, alcohol abuse can also cause it. You may notice your skin becoming redder, more sensitive, itchy, or irritated when you are out in the sun. Stop drinking and avoid direct sun to ease your symptoms.
Dandruff
Dandruff on your scalp, or itchy patches of greasy hair on other parts of the body could be signs. This skin condition is often called seborrheic dermatology by doctors. It’s usually a sign that the immune system has failed or that there’s yeast in your body. In some people, drinking alcohol is one of the cause of flare up. While over-the-counter shampoos can be a great first option, you might need to seek prescription treatment.
Red Palms
Although it’s not common, your palms and soles of your feet might become red. They will not hurt or itch. They don’t hurt or itch. An ideal way to stop this condition is to stop drinking alcohol and opt for a healthy lifestyle. Reduce your alcohol intake or treat the underlying cause of the redness.
Red Nose
When you drink beer or wine, your nose may become reddened or runny. This is known as an allergy-like reaction. It usually occurs within one hour after drinking. This is common for people with asthma, sinus disease, and problems with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs). Your doctor may be able to help you get used to aspirin slowly, which will ease your symptoms.
Hives
You might get red, itchy bumps on your skin if you drink. These bumps can be restricted to one area of the body. They may be a sign of alcohol misuse or excessive use. This means your body is unable to properly break down alcohol. Sometimes they can be caused by an allergic reaction to alcohol.
Skin Cancer
Research has shown that alcohol consumption may also be linked to skin cancers. While your body attempts to repair DNA damage from the sun, alcohol can cause problems.
Bloating and Puffiness
Drinking after a night can cause swelling. Alcohol is one of the major cause of dehydration in your body that cause puffiness. To stay hydrated, ensure an appropriate intake of water throughout the day. Your stomach lining can also be affected by alcohol. This can lead to a bloated, swollen stomach. Solution: Reduce alcohol intake and drink more water. You can also give a try to an OTC bloating remedy.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis can be caused by regular heavy drinking. In this condition, the itches on the skin is cause in patches due to irritation of skin cells. An outbreak could be made worse by alcohol, particularly in men. It is not a good idea to mix alcohol with psoriasis treatment. It can make it more difficult for some to perform their jobs, and it could pose a danger if mixed with other substances.
Cellulitis
Heavy drinking can increase your chances of getting cellulitis. This is a bacterial skin infection that typically affects the lower legs. The skin becomes reddened, swollen and painful to the touch. Through a cut or other wound on your skin, bacteria can harm your body by entering into it. This infection can be very serious. Antibiotics are used to treat this infection and make it less painful.
Can I Reverse the Effects of Alcohol on My Skin?
Yes, you can under certain circumstances. Eliminating alcohol and drinking plenty of fresh water can help rehydrate your skin to reduce the dullness, dryness, and pale color often found with excessive drinking. Adding electrolytes to your water can help balance and restore lost salts essential to the chemical makeup of your body that helps regulate body fluids and help support the formation of new skin cells to help give your skin a healthy new radiance.
While having an occasional drink with friends or celebrating a special event may not cause long-term skin damage, excessive drinking can cause damage to your skin, organs, and even your brain function. Having healthy-looking skin can build your self-esteem and give you the self-confidence to walk out the door every day. If you find yourself drinking alcohol excessively and experiencing skin disruptions, know that you can get help from a trained therapist or counseling service specializing in treating alcohol abuse.