“The Forgotten Side Effects of Alcohol on the Skin”

The negative effects of alcohol on the liver and heart are well known, but its effects on the largest organ of the body – the skin – are forgotten. Inflammation, swelling, acne are just some of the nasty side effects…

It is clear that an alcoholic drink is a symbol and a companion for relaxation from the work week, time with friends and both together. Celebrations, achievements and also experiences are most often associated with the consumption of this drink. All pleasures come with consequences when, in addition to weight gain, hangovers, heart and liver disorders, beauty also suffers quite noticeably. We specify what the consequences are and how to deal with them.

Causes inflammation

The body treats alcohol like a toxin (basically, like a poison) and it has to work extra hard to get rid of the two toxins, acetaldehyde and acetic acid. This “poison” contains a lot of sugar and its excess has a negative effect on the skin, makes it lose elasticity and therefore the skin looks stiff and dry. “Everyone knows that the sun’s rays are the main cause of skin aging, but many people don’t realize that the other cause is inflammation. Alcohol travels through the blood to the tissues and causes inflammation in them. This can manifest as spots, as redness and dehydration,” in Joshua Ross, body esthetician and owner of SkinLab, explains to Insider.

Round faces

After heavy parties, you may feel that your stomach is bloated and it may not subside for several days after consuming alcohol. The same thing happens with the face. The eyes are swollen and look as if they have cried, the cheeks, chin, jaw line become rounder. The reason is the same as redness – inflammation.

The reason for wrinkles

Regardless of how much alcohol is consumed, the moisture level of the skin suffers because it does not receive such essential nutrients. The more alcohol, the more dehydrated the skin becomes and pores, wrinkles, crow’s feet around the eyes, and laugh lines become more noticeable. Reducing the amount of alcohol and increasing water consumption will help fight the effects of dehydration, and after a week of abstinence, visual improvements will be noticeable.

Irritation

Those who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea know how difficult it is to live with flare-ups. They appear out of nowhere and for no known reason and are difficult to hide. Although there is no evidence that alcohol causes chronic skin conditions, those who suffer from them (eczema, psoriasis) will notice “flare-ups” of the condition after heavy drinking. The reason lies in the way the body breaks down alcohol into a chemical called histamine, which is released by the body when allergic reactions intensify. This body reaction can make the itching and irritation worse, making the symptoms more noticeable.

The author of Pinny

Alcohol consumption literally robs the body of much-needed nutrients, and no amount of vitamin and mineral supplements can compensate for this. Alcohol creates a feeling of satiety (but these are “empty” or worthless calories), so proteins, fruits and vegetables, which the body needs so much, are not taken in. And vice versa. Drinking can create a feeling of hunger when, most likely, instead of a healthy meal, preference is given to salty, unhealthy snacks. The result is the same, such snacks lack valuable nutrients and contribute to acne, skin dryness and irritation. Despite a couple of studies claiming that red wine can be good for heart health, it is still bad for the skin, and the side effects do not outweigh these few “benefits”https://www.delfi.lv/calis/spogulis/skaistumkopsana/.”Alcohol is a toxin with low nutritional value and can contribute to poorer liver function, decreased immunity, hormonal disorders, cell damage and insulin problems, which affect skin quality, appearance and accelerate aging,” explains Sonya Dakar, body esthetician and CEO of Sonya Dakar skin clinic in the edition “Insider” https://www.delfi.lv/calis/spogulis/skaistumkopsana/.”Alcohol is also a diuretic, so you can lose the water in the body’s cells quite quickly, making the skin dull and dehydrated.”

What to do?

The answer is one and simple – to give up alcohol consumption and/or reduce the frequency and/or quantity of its consumption. Although it takes time for the skin to fully restore itself, if you give up alcohol even for a day, you will be able to notice the improvement in the condition of the skin.
In an hour

The body works “overtime” to eliminate excess toxins and cleanse the skin. The body goes into a sort of detoxification mode to clear alcohol from the bloodstream and prevent poisoning. But because of the shock, the pancreas starts producing extra insulin.

After a day

Within 24 hours, you will be able to see an improvement in your rosacea symptoms. There is still a long way to go to fully recover, as the skin will still be working in recovery and a kind of hangover mode.

After a month

By abstaining from wine, cocktails and other intoxicating drinks for a month, the skin will look significantly healthier. It will have less puffiness, a more even tone and a more hydrated look. Weight loss is also possible.

After a year

The liver will have significantly recovered from the damage caused by alcohol, the skin will look healthier and more radiant. In Insider, dermatologist Tessa Mauricio reiterates, “If you go more than a year without alcohol, your liver will be healthier and detoxify your body better. The healthier you are, the more beautiful your skin looks, so your skin will be more radiant.”

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Scientists have come up with a simple strategy to reduce alcohol consumption

We all want to be healthy, but we often shoot ourselves in the foot with our lifestyle choices. On one of the main “bullets” is written “alcohol” – one glass of wine, a glass of beer or a measuring cup of vodka, and several boxes have already been filled in the list of alcohol consumption. The harmful effects of alcohol are talked about in the form of expert comments and campaigns on almost every corner, but achieving significant changes is not easy. Well, scientists have come up with an effective strategy to achieve the goal faster – the increased risk of cancer must be highlighted in combination with the accounting of drink units, reports “Science Alert”.

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