Alcohol and Its Deleterious Effects on the Skin

Keep your skin in mind this St. Patrick’s Day. As you are enjoying your celebrations, remember that one too many drinks may change the appearance of your skin. Of course, there are many reasons to drink in moderation, but today—as a Florida-based dermatologist—I am focusing on reasons from your skin’s perspective. With each sip, a cascade of events happen, which has harmful downstream effects on the skin.

Short Term: Temporary Side Effects Seen Right After Drinking

Alcohol consumption can cause dehydration and inflammation in the skin. This can cause the skin to appear flushed, red, dull, and dry. The skin might appear sunken in or be puffy/bloated in appearance. Alcohol can impair your sleep, which in turn exacerbates the signs of dehydration and inflammation. All of this can accelerate the aging process.

Long Term: Chronic Side Effects from Regular Alcohol Ingestion

Regular alcohol consumption can lower your immune system. An improperly functioning immune system can lead to increased risk of infections of the skin. In addition, alcohol can damage our DNA and possibly increase the risk of skin cancer.

Alcohol and its metabolites, through several mechanisms, stimulate inflammation. This increased inflammation in the skin can worsen preexisting skin conditions such as rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema. These rashes can worsen and then fail to respond to typical treatments.

Chronic alcohol consumption can cause liver disease, which can lead to itchy skin, yellowing of the skin, and blood vessel formation in the skin.

Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT) is a rare genetic disease associated with consumption of alcohol. When people with PCT are exposed to the sun, they can develop blisters on the face, hands, and arms. These blisters can be recurrent and lead to thickening of the skin and scars. Excess hair growth can also be seen with PCT.

Unfortunately, alcohol is toxic. Just like all the good things in life, alcohol must be consumed in moderation. You can prevent these skin findings by limiting consumption and continuing to drink plenty of water. Consider having a glass of water in between each alcoholic beverage.

Learn more about skin care and health by calling our offices at 239.732.0044 or reach out online to arrange a consultation.