Social drinking has become an underlying cause of hair loss. According to recent studies. Excessive drinking causes weight gain, injures your liver, and damages the walls of your stomach. And now alcohol and hair loss are being closely linked. Want to know more? Take a look…
Can drinking alcohol cause hair loss?
Can alcohol cause sudden hair loss? This frequently asked question can be answered simply. Yes. Two of the factors that influence this is the lack of the right dietary nutrients. And the body’s inability to absorb them. When you drink heavily the calories you consume are empty – without any nutrition.
Without the right number of vitamins, mineral, and proteins in your diet, your health will start to suffer. And that includes the health of your scalp. Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are vital for scalp and hair health. And alcohol actively burns vitamins that are needed for thick and shiny hair.
How does alcohol affect the nutrients your hair needs?
- Alcohol interferes with the absorption of crucial nutrients and vitamins.
- Heavy drinking increases acid production.
- Regular drinking decreases digestive enzymes.
- Zinc, magnesium, and potassium levels drop as alcohol acts as a diuretic.
- Hair growth diminishes when your body is deficient in nutrients.
- Malnutrition can potentially cause brain damage from lack of Thiamine.
- Drinking destroys the stomach lining.
- Liver damage and digestion issues are directly related to heavy drinking.
What does heavy drinking do to your skin and hair?
Alcohol effects on skin and hair are shown below:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Puffy face
- Spotty skin
- Ruddy complexion
- A change in appearance
- Serious malnutrition
- Lack of hair growth
How are alcohol, dehydration and hair loss linked?
Alcohol and hair loss are related. Heavy drinking dehydrates you making hair follicles dry and brittle. Increasing the risk of hair falling out. Not drinking enough water will also cause a scaly scalp prone to infection.
Over indulgence in alcohol also increases levels of oestrogen which can cause issues with hair growth and hair loss. It also instigates spikes in blood sugar which connects with male pattern baldness. So, does alcohol cause receding hairline? It most certainly could.
Drinking excessively may also cause problems with sleeping well. This in turn increases stress levels. And can trigger stress-induces hair loss known as telogen effluvium.
How much alcohol is safe for your hair?
There are actually no safe levels of alcohol use. Moderate levels mean taking just one drink a day. This relates to five ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or one and a half ounces of spirits. Stopping altogether is the healthy way to go. You also need to:
- Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.
- Eat a healthy balanced diet including lean meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables.
- Depending on your type of hair loss you may need to consult your doctor for medication or treatment.
Will hair grow back after you stop drinking?
Temporary hair loss will respond to preventative measures. But it can take the best part of a year for normal hair growth to resume. If you’re feeling uncomfortable with your baldness why not visit a local hair loss treatment specialists like Cochrane & Co? You’ll get a consultation with a professional hair stylist and a solution to make you feel great about your hair again quickly and easily.
