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Heavy drinkers often develop red patches, visible veins, and enlarged blood vessels, especially around the nose, cheeks, and forehead. Heavy drinking over time can cause weight gain, which might result in the appearance of a double chin. Because dehydration from drinking can cause dry mouth, bad breath the day after drinking can also occur (2). Because alcohol affects your sleep, you may also notice under-eye circles the day after drinking Oxford House (10). The same study found a correlation between drinking wine and the visibility of blood vessels in the cheeks.
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While many of us may have overindulged over the holidays, the good news is some of the damage done by alcohol can be reversed with relative ease. Depending on a variety of factors, quitting alcohol cold turkey may not be easy or feasible for many. If you’re looking for a “less-bad” alcoholic option, there are several factors to consider.
How to Counteract Alcohol’s Effects on the Skin
There are so many health benefits of not drinking alcohol, but not everyone wants to give up alcohol completely or give non-alcoholic wine a go. As with water retention in the face and body due to the dehydrating effects of alcohol, the feet can also become swollen and discolored due to excessive alcohol abuse. Recurrent swelling may suggest an underlying issue with the kidneys, liver, or heart and should be seen by a doctor if continuing for more than two days in a row. Alcohol consumption can have a significant impact on the appearance and health of your skin.
How Does Alcohol Affect Your Skin’s Appearance?
The liver is responsible for breaking down alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance that can cause damage to various organs in the body, including the skin. This process can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress, which can have a negative impact on your skin health. Heavy drinking reduces options for treatment of psoriasis, as some medicines are contraindicated if the drinking has led to liver disease (methotrexate) or to high levels of triglyceride (acitretin). Patients with psoriasis and high alcohol intake are also more likely to suffer from depression. It dehydrates the skin, reducing its plumpness and elasticity.
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The term alcoholic face is a cliche for a reason, as alcohol can have a tangible impact on your health and appearance. The good news is that with reduced consumption or abstinence, many of these changes can be reversed, and sobriety is the first step. If you are struggling to reduce your drinking habits, consider a sober living home. Surrounding yourself with supportive peers and professionals in the beautiful coastal region of Charleston can help you find peace and sobriety.
- These indications enable the treatment of certain soft tissue injuries and conditions.
- Yes, even moderate alcohol consumption can impact your skin both in the short- and long-term.
- This heightened sensitivity is partly due to the dehydration caused by alcohol consumption.
- It provides a dermal rejuvenation treatment that works to open up and deep-clean pores.
- Nummular or discoid dermatitis occurs more frequently in alcohol abusers, particularly in those with abnormal liver function tests.
It’s not just your skin that’s at stake; your overall health is paramount. Furthermore, some people may be allergic to specific types of alcohol or ingredients in alcoholic beverages. In rare cases, an allergic reaction to alcohol can manifest as facial swelling, along with other symptoms like rashes, hives, itching, or difficulty breathing. However, this is more an allergic response than a typical effect of alcohol consumption. One reason alcohol affects our skin is because it dehydrates us. As a diuretic, alcohol promotes water loss through urine (hence all those trips to the bathroom).
In this blog, we will look at this phenomenon and how we might help you find freedom from alcohol abuse. Alcohol affects all facial features due to its inflammatory, dehydrating, and aging effects on the skin. Before you know it, your skin turns into a dull, swollen, spotty, sagging mess.
According to a 2023 review, alcohol can increase the risk of developing psoriasis. This may be due to the ways alcohol adversely affects the immune system and increases the risk of infections. Although drinking alcohol can cause a person to fall asleep faster, it may cause them to wake up more often during the night. According to a 2024 article, it may affect around 540 million people worldwide. Having a glass of water between each alcoholic drink may decrease the risk of dehydration.