When you consume alcohol, you deprive your skin of the water and nutrients it needs to function correctly. To fully appreciate the positive effects of sobriety on your body, let’s first examine the damaging connection between alcohol and skin aging. Older adults have less water in their bodies than younger people. Because you need water for almost every bodily function, including blood circulation and lubricating joints, you may feel the effects of aging more intensely if you drink regularly.
Aging Effects of Alcohol
I drink tonic water and stay for about three hours and then go home. I just think about how I’m going to feel a few hours later, or the next day when I wake up feeling fresh. Weston says, ‘physically it can affect mood, appetite, weight, libido, as well as cause a spike in insulin levels which are like those caused by poor diet.
Bad body odor from alcohol abuse & alcoholism
The idea of having a drink to relax before bedtime may not be a good one, especially as you get older. Instead of lulling you into a restful night, alcohol can actually keep you from getting to sleep and lead to restless slumber. That can be particularly hard on seniors, Alcoholics Anonymous who are already more likely to wake up often or have a sleep disorder like insomnia. The older you get, the longer alcohol stays in your system.
It Can Keep You Up at Night
Alcohol is another big dehydrator, Cohn said, contributing to facial puffiness. It also offsets other nutrients that are key does alcohol make you look old to healthy skin. I always urge anyone who wants to quit drinking to take a selfie on Day 1 and another one around 3-4 weeks into the journey and compare the differences between the two pictures. Read more about the detrimental effects of alcohol on testosterone.
The initial result of this is premature wrinkles and lines. However, over time, your skin may start to produce more sebum as a way to overcompensate for dehydration, which could then lead to greasiness and breakouts. Before we begin, let’s get one thing straight – the occasional drink every now and again isn’t going to do you too much harm.
One of the most visible impacts alcohol can have is on our complexion, as drinking excessively is known to cause redness and dry, wrinkly skin. Moreover, alcohol can cause inflammation and redness in the skin. The liver is responsible for detoxifying substances in the body, including alcohol. When it becomes overworked due to excessive drinking, it may not effectively remove toxins. This can lead to a buildup of toxins that manifests as skin irritation or conditions like rosacea.
- The risk of earlobe creases indicating aging was similarly 26%-36% higher among heavy drinkers than among light-to-moderate drinkers.
- You can’t ignore the digestive system when you’re discussing alcohol and aging.
- Renewed by hydration and proper nutrient intake, your skin’s texture will improve and look healthy again.
- Scientists also found that participants diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder, more likely to be heavy drinkers in comparison, had significantly shorter telomeres as well.
- Less is truly best when it comes to alcohol consumption and longevity.
How Does Alcohol Affect the Aging Process?
But alcohol’s effects on skin and aging can make you look older prematurely. Broken bones from a stumble are a serious health issue for seniors. It’s because alcohol can affect your balance and sense of judgment. Over time, it also can damage the cerebellum, the area in your brain that handles balance and coordination. Alcohol may not only make you more likely to get sick as you age, it also can make common medical problems worse. Studies show that heavy drinkers can have a harder time with things like osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, ulcers, cancer, memory loss, and certain mood disorders.
People who never drank alcohol or drink very little (1 drink a year): do you look younger than the folks your age?
- My paternal grandfather was actually born in a pub and named after it.
- Mixing alcohol with opioids or benzodiazepines like diazepam (Valium) is one potentially deadly combination.
- If I had a big night, I would notice my hangover lasted longer.
- Understanding these signs is the first step in seeking help, whether through alcohol rehab centers in Pennsylvania or other specialized services.
- Perhaps the biggest sign of aging that you can’t physically see is the effect that drinking has on your brain.
Detoxing should only be done under the care and supervision of trained medical professionals. Therefore, detox can be done at either a local medical facility, dedicated detox center, or treatment center that also offers detox services such as Grace Land Recovery. Attempting to self-detox can end up causing even more harm and can even be life-threatening.