Content
Men should limit their intake to no more than two drinks daily, while women should aim to drink no more than one drink daily. According to the CDC, excessive alcohol use can lead to both short- and long-term health problems. Alcoholism is linked to disruptions in your hormones, specifically for your thyroid. Your thyroid regulates hormones in your body, and when this process is interrupted by either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, hair loss can occur.
This is because, with less water present, the toxins will be present in higher concentrations. Things like alco-pops, cocktails, and mixers all have huge amounts of sucrose and fructose. But there is now evidence that insulin resistance is linked to pattern baldness (3).
Additional Health Issues Related to Alcoholism
Medical conditions that cause hair loss can range from many different illnesses to different treatments. Alcoholism itself is a medical condition that directly affects hair loss. But in the bodies, this can lead to the killing of ‘good’ bacteria (14). Not having the right bacteria in your gut can go on to cause a host of other health issues that eventually may lead to hair loss (15). You should make sure your nutrients are balanced by getting a comprehensive nutrient test. For example, having too much zinc in the body may contribute to hair loss as well.
- By taking steps to minimize alcohol consumption, stay hydrated, maintain a balanced diet, and practice proper hair care, you can help protect your hair and scalp from potential damage.
- For some individuals, their excessive drinking leads to participation in other poor habits, including smoking.
- But if you suspect hair loss, and especially if you are genetically predisposed to pattern balding, you should stop drinking completely.
Dietary supplements like biotin can help keep your body in balance, especially if you plan to continue drinking. Malnutrition is a serious condition that can harm your overall health. Drinking alcohol can impair your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, which means even once it has broken down what it needs, your body might not be able to use it. „Anything that dilutes [the] alcohol and increases water consumption is going to be better than straight booze,“ says Caspero.
Can Quitting Alcohol Help Hair Growth?
While drinking alcohol may act as an immediate and short-term solution for dealing with alcohol, in the long run alcohol use for stress will only compound the problem and the overall effects of stress. Hair loss and hair thinning affect thousands of men and women throughout the country. Unfortunately for many, it can result in problems such as lack of confidence and sober house low self-esteem. Extensive abuse of alcohol makes many individuals more prone to developing co-occurring mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression. Particularly for individuals struggling with depression, this can often lead to a pattern of poor lifestyle choices that can further increase their likelihood of experiencing alcohol related hair loss.
When will I look better after quitting drinking?
The best part is that you don't have to wait an entire month to start seeing the changes. Most people who give up alcohol notice that their skin is dewy, and healthier looking after just one week.
While hair loss can usually be attributed to one of the aforementioned causes, other factors can sometimes play a role in this condition. Along with various other negative health effects, malnutrition, increased stress levels, and unhealthy lifestyle patterns can all lead to hair loss as well. As a diuretic, alcohol also dehydrates you, which can lead to a dry scalp and brittle hair, increasing your chances of experiencing hair loss.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Many people are unaware of the fact that alcohol and hair loss go hand in hand, especially when drinking becomes excessive. Alcohol has been found to speed up the balding process because it causes severe dehydration. Dehydrating the hair follicles will, over time, cause hair to thin. Binge drinkers are the most susceptible to hair loss because of the excessive amount of alcohol consumed in short amounts of time.
Of course, quitting drinking altogether can be dangerous for someone who has been dependent on this substance for a long period of time. It is strongly encouraged that for those trying to get sober, they do so gradually and under medical supervision. Of course, this also suggests that decreased copper levels can slow this growth. In some cases, copper deficiencies have also been found to possibly cause early graying in the hair. Excessive drinking leads to the absorption of what are known as empty calories. Certain forms of alcohol, predominantly beer, can give you the feeling of being full.
Alcohol and Hair Loss – How They Are Linked
In addition, alcohol-related liver injury can go on to affect the skin and scalp. Keep in mind there are multiple types of hair loss, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about your type of hair condition and potential cause. Michael is one of the co-owners of Battle Born Grooming Co, where he works tirelessly to provide the best products for his customers. He is grateful for his love of life, the beach, and all things hair, which have led him on an incredible journey to where he is today. Along the way, he has discovered the value of mindfulness and meditation, which he incorporates into his daily routine. In addition to running the company, he is also an animal lover and avid traveler.
It may even unearth some deficiencies you would never even have thought to treat. All of this to say, quality sleep and low levels of stress are crucial to a healthy body and hair. Finally, high levels of stress may be linked to poor intake of oxygen. This can reduce the oxygen that is available for the follicles, and reduce the quality and health of your hair.