How alcohol ages your skin is an important question to know the answer to. While a drink with friends once in a while isn’t going to hurt, data suggests that alcohol and aging are linked.
Too much alcohol can result in:
- Wrinkled skin
- Redness
- Dry complexion
The Link Between Alcohol And Aging
Alcohol can cause your body to be overworked in a variety of ways. It stimulates the release of additional stress hormones in the body, hastening the aging process. Alcohol also affects the proper working of your digestive system, making it more difficult for you to absorb essential nutrients.
Vitamins A, B, D, and E and minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, proteins, and carbs are included. Heavy drinkers frequently become malnourished due to alcohol’s overall poor impact on nutrition. This reduces the body’s ability to maintain itself, causing it to age more quickly.
Rapid aging, of course, has a big impact on your physical appearance. According to a recent study focused on aging symptoms, men who drank more than 35 beers per week were 35 percent more predisposed to develop “arcus corneae,” a gray ring in the eye that commonly appears old. Women who drank 28 drinks per week had a 33% increased risk of getting the syndrome.
It speeds up the aging process and alters your appearance by putting your body under more stress and denying it the necessary nutrients to regenerate. Alcohol and aging are very connected to each other so it’s essential to be aware of how detrimental alcohol consumption is.
Alcohol Can Make You Feel Older, Too
Alcohol has more than a surface effect on you. It can also impact your physical, emotional, and spiritual health, making you appear and feel older than you are.
Although alcohol may make you feel calmer in the short term, it can cause anxiety and despair, in the long run, perpetuating a negative cycle. Then there are the hangovers that come with binge drinking. The less alcohol you consume, the more energized and youthful you will feel. This, in turn, will have an impact on your appearance. When you’re feeling better on the inside, it’s practically impossible not to appear better on the outside.
Drink Less, Look And Feel Better
Drinking less alcohol is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and attractiveness. However, at Chapel Hill Detox, we understand that this is easier said than done. Many people suffer from alcoholism, and it can be challenging to know where to start.
Effects Of Alcohol On The Skin And How To Repair The Damage
Alcohol abuse hurts all aspects of your body, including your skin. As previously mentioned, alcohol and aging are very related to each other and there are a lot of negative effects.
These effects are numerous, ranging from:
- Dullness
- Enlarged pores
- Blotchiness
- Increased redness
- Puffiness
Excessive use of alcoholic beverages can cause a severe hangover the next day. Alcohol has various side effects, including pounding temples, feeling bad in the morning, and poor sleep quality, but what are the results of alcohol on the skin, and how does alcohol age your skin?
Most likely, it’s challenging to receive an adequate amount of sleep if you drink a lot of alcohol, which can contribute to dark circles under your eyes.
How Does Alcohol Age Your Skin?
When you consume alcohol, two things occur. Inflammation and dehydration are two of the most common symptoms.
The Consequences Of Alcohol-Induced Dehydration
- Wrinkles and sagging skin result from a loss of flexibility
- Dullness
- Dryness
- Enlarged pores
Alcohol is known to dry the skin, depriving it of the moisture and nutrients it needs to keep the complexion looking vibrant, supple, and youthful.
Alcohol dehydrates the skin, causing wrinkles, dryness, and sagging to become more visible. It’s a diuretic, which means it actively sucks water out of the body, producing dehydration by substantially reducing the body’s water content. In terms of color and texture, dehydrated skin might appear dry and unhealthy.
Dehydration due to alcohol can also enlarge the skin’s pores, increasing blackheads and whiteheads. This prematurely ages the skin and may result in permanent scarring. It can progress to acne and rosacea if not treated appropriately.
The Effects Of Inflammation From Alcohol
- Increased redness or flushing of the skin
- Acne
- Blotchiness
- Puffiness
- Rosacea
Alcoholic drinks, especially cocktails and wine, are high in sugar, and consuming more than the recommended amount will show up on your skin. Sugar has been demonstrated to increase the likelihood of breakouts or acne by causing the face to produce too much oil. If you have rosacea, drinking alcohol will likely exacerbate your symptoms.
Rosacea is an inflammatory condition that is made worse by drinking alcohol, particularly red wine. Drinking alcohol raises the chances of a flare-up because it is an inflammatory disorder.
Because of its vasodilatory action (it opens up the blood vessels and raises blood flow above normal levels).
The Worst Alcoholic Drinks For Your Skin
According to studies on various types of alcoholic beverages on the skin, some are worse than others. Doctors explain that the more the alcohol level, the worse the effect on the skin is, so it’s critical to stay under the acceptable drinking limits.
Dark Spirits
If you have a few whiskey and Cokes on a night out, you may wake up the next day with nasty hangovers. Dark spirits are known for giving people the worst hangovers and giving them lousy skin.
Dark spirits like whiskey and brandy contain compounds created during fermentation, such as tannings and methanol, and aggravate hangovers.
They have a higher alcohol content, or ABV (alcohol by volume), and dark liquors have the highest alcohol content, which means their effect on the skin could be significantly worse than others.
Dark spirits include:
- Whiskey
- Scotch
- Brandy
- Cognac
- Dark rum
Red Wine
Red wine is one of the most skin-damaging alcohols while being hailed as the “healthiest” choice of alcohol due to its antioxidant content. This is because red wine is frequently unfiltered. Unfiltered red wine necessitates more processing by the body.
Because red wine is unfiltered, it requires more effort from the liver and kidneys to process, and it’s the most likely drink to induce flushing, redness, and blotchy skin – which is bad news if you already have rosacea or another skin condition that produces redness.
Cocktails
Most people enjoy having a nice cocktail glass. However, martinis aren’t great if you want to maintain a clear complexion since the high sugar level in most drinks can induce inflammation, which leads to cell damage and acne. Cocktails have exceptionally high sugar levels, which leads to glycation. As a result, the skin loses suppleness and wrinkles appear.
Cocktails’ high sugar content can also make skin appear lifeless and sallow. So, the next time you’re on a night out, remember that a Margarita is the greatest offender because it contains both sugar and salt, both of which can cause puffiness in the skin.
White Wine
Unfortunately, white wine, like cocktails, has high sugar content. White wine’s high sugar content causes a drop in GAGs (Glycosaminoglycans), which sustain our cells’ proteins levels, which break down collagen and elastin. White wines can cause a dull, sallow complexion and puffiness.
Beer
Beer is one of the least irritating alcohols for your skin. It has a destructive impact on your skin’s quality, looks, and aging. Beer is complete, so amounts tend to be limited, and it has some antioxidant benefits, even though it isn’t great for the skin. Beer contains several chemicals that give both recognized sensory features and health benefits, according to a study.
Vodka, Gin, Tequila, White Rum, Sake
Lighter-colored drinks, such as vodka, gin, and tequila, have fewer ingredients and are digested more quickly by the body. This implies they should have the least amount of influence on your skin, reducing the risk of harm.
Clear spirits can also be classified as the ‘better’ alcoholic beverages for your skin. Gin is made from juniper berries, which are considered “superfoods” and can enhance blood circulation to the face, giving some people a more youthful appearance. On the other hand, vodka has been linked to reducing the appearance of blackheads, tightening pores, and cleaning the skin.
The bottom line is that alcohol in the major cases, ages your skin, and below we have mentioned some tips on how to reduce the alcohol aging your appearance.
How To Lessen The Negative Effects Of Alcohol On The Skin
Keep yourself hydrated. It may seem obvious, but it is one of the most important things you can do to help your skin.
After a night out, dehydrated skin has to be addressed from the inside out, and the best solution is plain and vital water. So, before you go to bed, drink plenty of water and stay as hydrated as possible the next day. For an added antioxidant boost the next day, consider infusing your water with cucumber, citrus, or mint.
When you drink alcohol, your kidneys work overtime to clear out the excess liquids, dehydrating your skin. To counteract the dehydration that alcohol might cause, it is recommended that you consume plenty of water and limit your alcohol intake. As a result, it’s critical to begin rehydrating as soon as possible.
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise is one of the most effective strategies to boost your overall well-being. Exercise promotes blood flow throughout the skin, keeping it looking healthy, juicy, and plump. In addition to keeping your body in shape and caring for your inner wellness, this can help to enhance blood flow throughout the skin, allowing it to seem silky. Sweat it out with a fun workout, which will also help to clear your pores.
Include Supplements Into Your Diet
Alcohol depletes the body of vitamin A, the vitamin responsible for cell turnover, taking a daily supplement can aid to promote the cell regeneration process that alcohol has slowed. You can also take a supplement designed to maintain your skin, hair, and nails, which can aid in the effective repair of skin damage. Other nutrients that may help restore your skin’s balance are vitamins C, E, B1, B6, B2, B3, and Omega 3.
Including vitamins in your diet will help promote cell regeneration, which is commonly inhibited by excessive drinking. Skinade solutions are liquid skincare supplements that provide critical nutrients delivered directly to your skin to prevent the harm that alcohol can cause. Taking such supplements can help restore vitamin levels and balance to your skin.
Drink Non-Alcoholic Alternatives
Most pubs and restaurants will provide non-alcoholic equivalents to the drinks on their menu, referred to as a “mocktail.” There are also many non-alcoholic beers and wines available, so if you’re serious about reducing your alcohol use but still want something more interesting than H20, you’ll have plenty of options.
Do Your Skincare Before Bed
This applies to everyone, whether they are inebriated or sober. We’ve all been there, but this is crucial when it comes to taking care of your skin.
“We know your typical skincare routine may go out the window after a night out, so if you do one thing after cleansing, apply a rich moisturizer that contains antioxidants and elements that help soothe and hydrate.
It should be a top priority to use relaxing and ultra-nourishing substances! Look for humectants, which suck moisture from the air into your skin to replenish the water levels in your cells and work best when applied to damp skin. On the ingredients list of your products, look for hyaluronic acid, glycerine, and panthenol (Vitamin B5).
Sleep With An Extra Pillow
Sleeping with two pillows in bed, slightly raised, is one of the most effective strategies to reduce eye and face puffiness. This is because fluids pool in the under-eye area when your head is sitting flat might develop dark circles. Ensuring a good night’s sleep and avoiding feeling worn down can be helpful. Sleeping with your head propped up will also assist in minimizing fluid collection and puffiness in the facial tissues, especially around the eyes.
Choose Your Cover-Up Carefully
If you insist on wearing make-up, go for a light, moisturizing foundation. Before wearing any make-up, try using a green-tinted primer to help neutralize any redness in your face.
Powders should be avoided if you’re seeking to improve your skin because they can be drying.
What Happens To Your Skin When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?
Whether you opt to cut back or entirely quit drinking, avoiding alcohol will undoubtedly benefit your skin and ultimately your life. When a person wants to stop drinking or reduce their alcohol use in general, it can have a big impact on their complexion.
The skin will appear plumper, moisturized, and brighter. Your body is an extraordinary regenerator, and if you act quickly enough, the harmful effects of alcohol can be reversed.
When you stop drinking, here’s what happens to your skin:
- Hydrated, plumper skin
- Fewer wrinkles
- Brighter skin
- Smaller pores
- Excessive redness will disappear
- Acne may improve
- Skin tone becomes even
- Puffiness subsides
- Flare-ups of rosacea become more infrequent
Recovery Awaits At Chapel Hill Detox
It is critical to seek help if a person feels they have an alcohol issue. It is possible to return to a sober lifestyle and a more youthful appearance with the right help and support. When a person’s body is free of toxins caused by alcohol, they will have healthier skin, hair, nails, as well as a youthful appearance.
At Chapel Hill Detox, we provide a variety of therapy to help patients recover from alcoholism. When a person gets clean and learns how to live a healthier lifestyle, they will notice a difference in their look. To take the first step in the right direction, contact us today.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6715121/
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/facts-about-aging-and-alcohol
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-youll-feel-alcohols-effects-more-after-age-65/
https://www.alcohol.org/faq/do-alcohol-effects-differ/
https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/alcohol-effects-bad-skin-tips
https://www.eatingwell.com/article/291290/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-quit-drinking/