Im a Dermatologist, and This Is Exactly What Happens to Your Skin When You Quit Drinking

When these veins are dilated the appearance has been likened to ‘caput medusa’ (head of Medusa), referring to Greek mythology where a once beautiful woman was cursed and her hair turned into snakes. While harmless, larger pores make your skin look older and less healthy overall. And for those who aren’t entirely interested in giving up drinking, a few simple steps can help protect your complexion. According to Dr. Samolitis, clear liquors like vodka and tequila have the least amount of sugar and fewest added ingredients, so those might be the safest bets for those who don’t want to skip out on good times. People of East Asian descent are more likely to be affected by facial flushing relating to alcohol.

• For men, heavy drinking is defined as four drinks a day or more than 14 drinks a week.
• You should avoid all skincare products that contain these alcohols as they have no benefits and can even harm your skin.
• One of the signs of severe alcohol-related liver disease is jaundice – a yellowing of the skin and of the whites of the eyes.
• Cold compresses should help, but the best answer is a good night’s sleep.
• Consuming more will, in the long term, have a negative effect on skin.

Skin cancer

“Ensuring a good night’s sleep and avoiding becoming run down will be beneficial. Sleeping propped up may also help to reduce fluid accumulation and puffiness across the facial tissues in particular, the eyes,” she says. “Dehydrated skin needs to be treated from within, and plain and simple water is your best option,” explains Faye. In addition, the high sugar levels of cocktails can also leave skin looking dull and sallow. So next time you’re perusing the menu on a night out, bear in mind that a Margarita is the worst offender as it contains sugar and salt, both of which can leave skin puffy. Because dehydration from drinking can cause dry mouth, bad breath the day after drinking can also occur (2).

Effects of alcohol on skin and 6 expert-approved tips for repairing the damage

• Without the chronic inflammation caused by alcohol in your system, your skin will have a better immune response.
• Because alcohol affects your sleep, you may also notice under-eye circles the day after drinking (10).
• According to Dr Phillips, those with rosacea should exercise extra caution.
• Ultimately, your weekend partying probably isn’t aging you prematurely, but your skin would likely look better if you drank less — or nothing at all.
• In addition to taking care of your skin after drinking, it’s important to rehydrate quickly.

Sometimes they’re a symptom of alcohol intolerance, meaning your body can’t break down alcohol well. They may also result from an allergic reaction to an ingredient in alcohol. If your face flushes when you drink, you may have some degree of rosacea.

Health problems due to alcohol

The antioxidants found in beer are limited and it should still be drunk in moderation. “Alcohol is known to dehydrate the skin, depriving it of the moisture and nutrients it needs does alcohol ruin your skin to keep our complexion looking radiant, supple and youthful,” says Dr Rita Rakus, Cosmetic Doctor. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.

• Also known as nummular dermatitis, discoid eczema occurs more often in people who misuse alcohol, especially if they have liver problems.
• This allergy-like reaction usually happens within an hour of drinking.
• Once we hear from you, a team member will be in touch to finalize the details of your appointment.
• Rosacea patients should refrain from alcohol-based products as these increase the risk of redness, flushing, and a burning sensation.
• This process can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress, which can have a negative impact on your skin health.
• “If I see a client over a long period and I’m familiar with their skin, then they tell me that they’ve stopped drinking, I’ll definitely be able to notice it in their skin,” says Rieder.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and accelerate the aging process. They can break down collagen and elastin, two proteins that are essential for maintaining youthful-looking skin. One of the most significant impacts of alcohol on the skin is its ability to cause premature aging and wrinkles. Alcohol can interfere with collagen production, a protein that gives your skin its structure and elasticity. When collagen production is disrupted, your skin becomes less firm and more prone to wrinkles. My ideal skincare routine these days is one that’s low-effort, gentle, and focused on strengthening my skin barrier.

You might also consider changing up the type of spirits you’re consuming. The fermentation process that creates alcohol also creates congeners, which are byproducts like acetone, acetaldehyde, and tannins. Rieder says there’s some evidence that higher levels of congeners may contribute to the severity of a hangover by increasing the body’s stress response and making it more difficult to break down alcohol. So choosing drinks like white wine, light rum, light beer, gin, and sake that are typically lower in congeners than darker liquors like red wine, whiskey, cognac, and aged tequila might make sense.

For people living with AUD, or people who are worried about their intake of alcohol, help and support are available. A person should speak with a doctor, close friend, therapist, or local support group to find ways to help give up alcohol. Also known as nummular dermatitis, discoid eczema occurs more often in people who misuse alcohol, especially if they have liver problems. Alcohol consumption is the most common cause of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). This condition causes painful, blistering lesions on the skin following exposure to the sun. Psoriasis is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that causes patches of thick, Sober living house scaly plaques on the skin.

This is because purple bags, more commonly referred to as dark circles, are known to develop under your eyes as a result of dehydration and inflammation that is caused by excess consumption of alcohol. Heavy drinking can also affect the quality of sleep, featuring as another cause for the undereye shadows. Alcohol can drain the body of vitamin A, which is the vitamin responsible for cell turnover.