7 Signs Alcohol Affects Your Physical Appearance

By taking care of your skin and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in recovery, you can ensure that your skin remains healthy and vibrant for years to come. It’s not likely to come as a surprise that alcohol consumption, especially in excess, can be harmful to health. Many people are aware of the short-term effects of drinking on a person’s ability to function, how alcohol affects your skin and they may even know about the impact of alcohol on the heart, liver, and other organs. However, very few people know or think about the way that drinking alcohol impacts skin health. Dermatology Partners in Lakewood and Denver, Colorado, “I see many patients who have noticed dark circles, redness, inflammation, and accelerated skin aging.

Skin conditions affected or caused by alcohol

Doctors call this skin disease seborrheic dermatitis, and it’s often a sign of immune system problems or a yeast in the body. Over-the-counter shampoos are a good first treatment option, but you may need a prescription remedy. 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. Alcohol can drain the body of vitamin A, which is the vitamin responsible for cell turnover.

How to drink in a healthier way for the skin.

• This isn’t exclusive to the face, though—you may see signs of water retention (as in puffiness) throughout your body.
• After about 1 month of being alcohol-free, acne and inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea clear up (provided they’re not being triggered by factors other than alcohol).
• And that’s on top of the toll that alcohol use can take on relationships, not to mention the potential for financial strain and legal troubles.
• A not-so-obvious way that alcohol affects the skin is through oxidative stress, which happens when there are too many free radicals in the body.
• The best way to avoid damaging your skin in the long and short term is to maintain a minimal or moderate level on your alcohol consumption.
• If a person spends the night drinking, they may also stay up late or not sleep at all.

Alcohol can interfere with collagen production, a protein that gives your skin its structure and elasticity. When collagen production is disrupted, your skin https://ecosoberhouse.com/ becomes less firm and more prone to wrinkles. To truly know what’s in that product bottle, flip to the back and thoroughly read the ingredient list.

• Alcohol consumption can contribute to inflammation in the body, which can exacerbate skin conditions such as rosacea and chronic dermatitis.
• You might notice dandruff on your scalp or itchy patches of greasy skin on other body parts.
• Over-the-counter shampoos are a good first treatment option, but you may need a prescription remedy.
• Your nose might get red and stuffy or runny when you have a beer or a glass of wine.
• Developing an awareness of these potential consequences can help in maintaining a healthy balance by moderating alcohol consumption and adopting skin-friendly practices.

Should You Avoid Alcohol in Skincare at All Costs?

If you suddenly stop drinking, your body will often experience withdrawal. Liver disease isn’t reversible, but you can treat some of the skin conditions it causes to help make  symptoms less noticeable. The same study found a correlation between drinking wine and the visibility of blood vessels in the cheeks. Dehydration caused by chronic alcohol use may lead the skin to overproduce sebum, the naturally occurring oil in your skin. Alcohol’s inflammatory effect impairs the immune response, which increases your susceptibility to bacterial infection.

Susceptibility to damage

Incorporating fruits, vegetables, and foods with omega-3 fatty acids can be beneficial. Recognizing the potential for alcohol-related skin damage is beneficial, as it can serve as a visible indicator of broader health issues. Combating skin damage often begins with reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, adopting a balanced diet, and maintaining a skincare routine to nurture and protect the skin. Seeking medical guidance can also help address specific skin-related concerns stemming from alcohol misuse. If you have consumed an excess amount of alcohol, you can attempt to counteract the ill-effects on your skin.

Non-Neoplastic Skin Diseases

While treating AUD and quitting alcohol should help many skin conditions clear, a person may need to continue treating other underlying conditions, such as liver disease. Treatments will vary based on the condition, so a person should speak with a doctor about the best treatment options for them. However, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, drinking alcohol can increase a person’s risk of developing it. That said, if you want to avoid adverse reactions, be sure to double-check the ingredients label before adding a new product to your skincare routine. And, if you’re unsure about an ingredient on the list, click over to the Environmental Working Group’s website to quickly uncover whether or not it’s safe for your skin type. Long-term alcohol consumption can trigger persistent skin issues like increased wrinkling, permanent loss of skin elasticity, and exacerbation of inflammatory skin conditions.

These substances may include bile salts, histamine, corticosteroids and opioids. Alcohol can change the appearance of your mouth and the skin on your face. Believe it or not, sleeping with two pillows in bed slightly propped up is one of the best ways to minimise eye and face puffiness. This is because eye bags can be caused by fluids that tend to pool in the under-eye area if your head is lying flat, leaving you looking for ways to get rid of dark circles.

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