Alcohol can promote signs of skin aging such as dry skin, dullness, wrinkles, and aggravate dermatological diseases such as psoriasis and eczema.
The foods we eat and drink every day play a big role in the skin aging process. While fruits, fatty fish, juices… can slow down the aging process, one of the drinks that makes you age the fastest is alcohol.
A report posted above Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology More than 8,000 women participated, showing that drinking 8 or more alcoholic drinks per week can negatively affect the skin such as increased puffiness under the eyes, wrinkles forming on the face and blood vessels appearing more visible. .
Below are 4 short-term effects of alcohol on the skin.
Causes dehydration: American nutritionist Amy Goodson explains that as you get older, your skin gets thinner and drier. Due to its diuretic properties, alcohol causes the body to lose more water and salt than usual, contributing to accelerating signs of aging if consumed regularly. Signs such as dry skin, dry lips, reduced skin elasticity, sunken eyes.
Sleep disruption: In a study published in the journal Nature With more than 6,000 participants, scientists found that men who regularly drank a lot of alcohol had more sleep problems. Lack of sleep or not sleeping deeply for 1-2 nights can lead to changes in the skin such as dark circles under the eyes, pale or dull skin, and many wrinkles.
This study also found that sleep deprivation reduces resilience to the effects of exogenous stressors, including sunlight, chemicals in cosmetics, pollutants in the air and cigarette smoke. .
Redness: Facial flushing is a common side effect of drinking alcohol. This is because alcoholic beverages stimulate the release of histamine, which causes blood vessels under the skin to dilate, making the skin look flushed or inflamed.
Severe dermatological disease: Drinking too much alcohol also worsens common skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.
If you drink alcohol regularly, short-term effects such as dry skin and flushing are more likely to become persistent problems. This drink can also have serious long-term effects such as:
Increased risk of skin infections: Bacterial and fungal infections are more likely to occur in people who drink a lot of alcohol. This is because alcohol weakens the immune system, reducing the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
Increased risk of skin cancer: The affected immune system limits the body’s natural defense against disease. Some studies also warn that drinking alcohol worsens the effects of ultraviolet rays on the skin, causing more damage than usual.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that women should only drink a maximum of one glass of alcohol per day, and men a maximum of two drinks to avoid negative health effects.