The arrival of the New Year has
brought with it the tradition of Dry January for many, aiming to kickstart 2024
on a healthier note by abstaining from alcohol. Despite the well-known negative
impacts of alcohol as a toxin on the body, some may still find it challenging
to resist overindulgence.
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| PETER DAZELEY VIA GETTY IMAGES |
For skincare enthusiasts, especially those who invest in the latest skincare products and procedures, participating in Dry January could be a beneficial prescription from dermatologists to align both skincare and budgetary goals.
How alcohol impacts your skin significantly
Dehydration
Before investing in the latest
hydrating serum to achieve plump, dewy skin, it may be worthwhile to examine
your drinking habits. You might unknowingly be engaging in the skincare
equivalent of running a space heater with all the windows open in the middle of
January.
Alcohol, being a diuretic, leads to
increased urination, resulting in dehydration within the body. When the body is
dehydrated, the skin is also affected.
Dr. Teo Soleymani, a California-based, double board-certified dermatologist, notes, "When you're systemically dehydrated, one of the first places you see it is in the skin." This alcohol-induced dehydration explains why the morning after a night of drinking, our skin can appear somewhat "rougher" than usual.
Dehydration in our skin can
emphasize lines and wrinkles and make under-eye circles appear worse, explained
Dr. Angela Casey, a board-certified dermatologist based in Ohio.
Moreover, prolonged dehydration in
the body may trigger an increase in sebum production as a compensatory
mechanism.
"People may feel like their skin gets oilier after a night of binge
drinking or notice that they tend to have oilier skin as a result of long-term
drinking," noted Soleymani.
The encouraging news is that by
abstaining from alcohol and prioritizing water consumption, the dehydrating
effects of alcohol are relatively easy to rectify.
"Within several days [of quitting alcohol], patients may notice a difference in their skin hydration and that their skin appears smoother, brighter, and stronger," added Casey.
Inflammation and irritation
Have you ever observed that when
you consume alcohol, your face tends to flush and turn red?
"Alcohol itself is a vasodilator. But its breakdown product,
acetaldehyde, is a very potent vasodilator in the skin," explained
Soleymani. Both alcohol and acetaldehyde act as vasodilators, expanding blood
vessels and causing the face to flush and appear red.
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| AVasodilators, alcohol and acetaldehyde dilate our blood vessels, causing our faces to flush and turn red |
While most individuals can convert
acetaldehyde into a less-toxic by-product called acetate, Soleymani points out
that not everyone possesses the gene responsible for producing the enzymes that
break down acetaldehyde into acetate.
"As [those lacking the gene] consume alcohol, the alcohol transforms
into acetaldehyde. The acetaldehyde accumulates in the skin, leading to the
dilation of blood vessels and the development of rosy cheeks or a flushed
appearance," clarified Soleymani.
While the newfound rosy glow may not be a significant concern, the inflammation associated with this flushing can be problematic for the skin.
"This pro-inflammatory environment can worsen underlying skin issues
like eczema, rosacea, acne, or psoriasis and contributes to extrinsic skin
aging," emphasized Dr. Ahuva Cices, a cosmetic dermatologist based in
New York and assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine
at Mount Sinai Hospital.
This prolonged irritation can pave
the way for a persistent skin issue that cannot be easily addressed with a
simple serum — broken capillaries.
"Flushing, inflammation, and broken capillaries are all part of a cycle
in our skin; more flushing and inflammation lead to skin damage and broken
capillaries," explained Casey. "Once the broken capillaries are present, there is more blood flow
through the skin, which contributes to increased flushing."
According to Casey, if you already have broken capillaries, reducing alcohol intake may lead to them becoming less noticeable as they become less dilated. Unfortunately, the only effective way to eliminate them from the skin is through costly laser procedures. As with many skincare and health-related issues, in this case, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Alcohol breaks down antioxidants and collagen
Many of us willingly spend hundreds
of dollars each year on sunscreens, retinoids, and vitamin C skincare products
to safeguard collagen, the skin's vital component for maintaining a youthful
appearance. However, our drinking habits may undermine the positive effects of
these products on our skin.
"Alcohol is highly inflammatory, both in our skin and our bodies in
general," said Casey. "Sustained
inflammation can lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastic fibers that
support our skin, maintaining its suppleness and smoothness."
Moreover, alcohol may diminish the
skin's natural ability to defend itself against damage.
"There is data suggesting that alcohol can reduce antioxidant levels in the skin. Natural antioxidants shield the skin from free radical damage caused by UV light exposure and environmental factors like pollution," explained Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist and associate professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Zeichner further clarified that
skin inflammation resulting from free radical damage can contribute to
premature aging. By reducing antioxidant levels in the skin, alcohol can render
the skin more susceptible to damage from its primary adversary — the sun's UV
rays.
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| Collagen, seen here at the deepest layer of the skin, can be broken down by inflammation |
"Studies have shown increased sun-induced skin damage due to free
radical damage when the skin is exposed to UV radiation in combination with
alcohol," added Cices. "We
are also less likely to remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours when
drinking."
While day-drinking might not be on
the agenda during the winter months, Zeichner suggests setting a timer to
remind yourself to reapply sunscreen when the weather warms up (or designate a
sober friend for the role). However, given that even the best-laid plans can go
awry, it doesn't hurt to take an extra precautionary step.
"I recommend applying an antioxidant serum containing vitamin C as part of a regular skincare routine, but it is especially helpful if you are drinking alcohol to provide the skin with additional antioxidant protection," Zeichner advised.
Cancer can lead to complications in skin procedures
Not only can alcohol wreak havoc on
the skin itself, but it can also create complications when it comes to skincare
treatments and procedures.
“Alcohol is a mild anticoagulant, so we often tell people no drinking
several days before surgery and no drinking the week after surgery so they
don’t bleed,” Soleymani said.
In addition to an increased
bleeding risk, Casey points out alcohol consumption can also lead to a higher
risk of bruising. This is why she recommends that her patients avoid alcohol
for procedures that carry an increased risk of bleeding, bruising, or those
that require time to heal, such as:
- Injections (e.g., fillers, Botox)
- Skin cancer and mole removals
- Skin biopsies
- Laser resurfacing and microneedling treatments
How to enjoy an occasional drink while maintaining healthy skin
“There is no amount of alcohol that will not cause damage,” Cices
said. “That being said, I believe in
indulging in moderation. Chronic, persistent alcohol consumption will result in
more damage than occasional or light drinking.”
Depending on a variety of factors,
quitting alcohol cold turkey may not be easy or feasible for many. If you’re
looking for a “less-bad” alcoholic
option, there are several factors to consider.
As alcohol is already inflammatory,
it’s best to avoid other ingredients that can contribute to inflammation.
“Sugary cocktails are a double whammy since both the alcohol and the sugar cause inflammation in the skin,” Casey said. “Red wine contains sugar and histamine releasers, again delivering a double dose of inflammation and flushing to the skin.”
Soleymani also points out that
drinks with a high glycemic index can also trigger inflammation. “Beers, wheat-based malt beverages, and wines
can sometimes make skin conditions flare ... partly due to the gluten in the
drink being inflammatory. This is less common in highly-distilled grain
alcohols, like vodka, or agave-based alcohols like tequila.”
And while hard liquor may contain
less sugar and gluten that trigger inflammation, ounce for ounce, liquor
delivers more alcohol, which is highly inflammatory.
“Keep in mind that consuming the same volume of a drink with a lower alcohol content like beer or wine will have less alcohol than the same amount of liquor,” Cices said.
Yes, you can mitigate some alcohol-related damage
Although many may have indulged
during the holidays, the positive news is that some of the skin damage caused
by alcohol can be reversed with relative ease.
“Short-term skin changes such as dullness, dryness, and puffiness are
common after drinking alcohol. These negative effects can be reversed by taking
an extended break from alcohol, such as with Dry January,” said Dr. Ahuva
Cices, a cosmetic dermatologist.
However, similar to the increased difficulty in recovering from a hangover in later years compared to one's 20s, the skin also struggles more to bounce back from alcohol-related damage as individuals age.
“With age, our skin’s antioxidant defenses decline naturally. For this
reason, we can infer that alcohol may have a greater impact on the skin of
people who are older rather than on younger skin,” explained Dr. Joshua
Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist.
Quitting or reducing alcohol
consumption in one's 20s may lead to healthier skin in the 30s, 40s, and
beyond. Despite this, it's never too late to start making healthier decisions,
and Dry January may serve as the perfect opportunity to begin.
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