You may be aware of the main effects of alcohol. The typical nausea, upset stomach, dizziness, bloating, and of course a hangover the next day may occur. When you are a frequent drinker, the effects could worsen. In fact, alcohol is destroying your skin from the inside out. Alcohol affects a lot of your body’s organ functions, which can have a significant impact on the quality of your skin. So, what are the effects of alcohol on skin and how bad are they?
Noticing Puffy Eyes?
If you have ever had a good cry sesh, then you know how lack of water in your body can affect those under eyes. Drinking alcohol causes internal irritation and inflammation, along with dehydration, and this can leave you with unsightly puffiness around your eyes and nose. Alcohol interrupts your natural blood flow, causing this puffiness to last for days on end.
Dehydration
It’s no surprise that alcohol causes you to become dehydrated, but this can cause a significant impact on your skin. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it flushes our urinary system. Not only will you become dehydrated quicker, but the amount of detox for alcohol in your system will determine how hard it will be for you to rehydrate. This means you will wake up with more fine lines, wrinkles, and flaky skin. This could last for weeks after you have had alcohol. But, since it is highlighting your unpleasant skin texture, it will have long term effects on the quality of your skin as well. You will feel like your skin definitely needs a drink!
A Pimple Here & A Pimple There
Ever wake up after a night of drinking and notice a few unsightly blemishes have sprung up on your face? Not only can alcohol dull your complexions natural shine by sucking out the moisture, it can also cause an acne breakout. This is definitely one of the worst effects of alcohol on skin. Imagine all those sugary alcoholic drinks you consume and when you are dehydrated, that sugar greatly impacts your skin and forms the breakouts you see the night after.
Redness
Do you notice you become flushed when you are drinking or the day after? You might even notice broken blood vessels under your skin. Maybe, for the next few days, you bruise a little bit easier. This is because one of the effects of alcohol on skin is that it stretches out your capillaries. This is extremely bad for skin, especially sensitive skin. This can show up in the form of redness, a hot to the touch sensation, and broken capillaries that can be very unsightly. Prolonged drinking can lead to conditions such as rosacea and capillary damage.
Which Drinks Are the Worst?
Not all drinks are created equal. Of course, some are worse for your skin than others. We thought we would investigate the worst culprits for your skin.
- Margaritas: Margaritas are one of the worst drinks for your skin due to all the sugar they contain. But, not only that. Margaritas are also high in salt. Salt causes water retention, which can lead to skin problems as well.
- Cocktails: Cocktails usually contain high levels of sugar. This can cause inflammation, puffiness, and breakouts. It is best to steer clear of cocktails.
- Wine: Whether it is white or red wine, it is best to pass on it. White wine is high in sulphites. These can cause your skin to become irritated. Red wine is actually a histamine, meaning it will cause redness and irritation. It makes your blood vessels expand, making your face look flush.
Tips to Help Your Skin
If you must drink, here are some tips to help your skin battle the effects that alcohol will have on it.
- Drink with a meal. This will lessen the effects of the alcohol.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Steer clear of mixers.
- Try using tonic water instead.
- Coffee will not help you immediately after or the next morning. It will actually make your problems worse.
How Can You Reverse the Effects Of Alcohol On The Skin?
You may be wondering when your skin will go back to normal. Although there are no promises that it will- and you might experience some flare ups over time- usually a few days after abstaining from alcohol you will start to notice some improvements. If you are a frequent everyday drinker you may not notice any improvements at all, but if you can abstain for three days your body will have had enough time to metabolize the alcohol and sugars.
Give your skin a little boost the next day by following these tips.
- Take a vitamin C supplement.
- Drink two liters of water for the next three days.
- Moisturize your skin morning and night to help combat dryness. You may also want to consider trying oils.
You may be wondering, “Is there anything good about alcohol for my skin?” and the answer quite simply is no. There is not. Alcohol drains your body of its natural moisture and can cause your liver to act abnormally, making your skin a living nightmare. You could experience irritation, acne, and puffiness- just to list a few. Also, alcohol has very little nutritional value. This means consuming alcohol, especially those fancy sugary drinks, can lead to excess weight gain and a host of other bodily problems. Practice good skincare and leave alcohol out of the equation!
Helpful Resource :-
Treatment For Alcohol Addiction Maine