How Alcohol Affects Your Skin

Perhaps you have heard that regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol can give you a beer belly, liver nodules, and gout. However, what about alcohol’s effects on your face? Since liver or arthritic problems often have no visible symptoms, the skin on your face can be a telltale sign of the life you have led. Thus, you should know that alcohol can damage your skin as well as your organs.

Rosy Cheeks Aren’t Always a Good Sign

The primary physical trait of heavy drinkers is probably rosy cheeks, a red nose, or a flushed face. Although your body may be able to fight off the effects of alcohol without it damaging your skin, many others are not as lucky.

Alcohol causes your blood vessels to dilate. This results in a rush of blood to the surface of the skin. For those who are regular heavy drinkers, this constant swelling of the blood vessels in your face can eventually stretch them out and cause them to remain dilated, even when you are not drinking. This is called telangiectasias, and it presents itself as a permanent flush.

Other Effects of Alcohol

A red faces isn’t the only sign of alcohol on your skin. Other problems can include:

• Aggravated skin problems – such as acne and rosacea
• Dry skin – caused by the dehydrating effects of alcohol
• Bloating – mostly due to the amount of calories in alcohol

Fortunately, laser treatment is sometimes an option for the redness associated with drinking. Also, treatments such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels can help with acne. Although reducing the amount of alcohol intake is the only true way to stop alcohol damage to your skin, you do not have to cease drinking completely as alcohol in moderation may have positive effects, such as lowering the risk of heart disease.

Contact Us

For more information on treating alcohol-related skin problems, as well as everyday skin issues such as wrinkles, contact Austin cosmetic surgeon Dr. Apostolakis today by calling 512-329-8989.