How Alcohol Affects Your Skin Care
Now that summer is here and relaxation is in full force, margaritas and summer daiquiris will join in on the party. As long as you are of legal age, there is nothing wrong with enjoying a few adult beverages every now and again, but before you pick up that frozen concoction, remember these few things about that cocktail, they may be affected your skincare.
Alcohol dehydrates the body. For every glass of alcohol consumed, your body is removing 2 glasses of water since it is a diuretic. The 2:1 ratio means that for every glass of wine or shot, you need to consume 2 8 oz. glasses of water to replenish the water in your body. Our skin is the largest organ, and when lacking the hydration, causes excess wrinkles, dullness, flaking, and even breakouts! You may not get the tipsiness feeling, but incorporating a glass of water while having a libation will ensure you’re keeping yourself properly hydrated (and also help with that headache the next day). Since the skin is our largest organ our skincare is the most important.
Not all alcohol is the same when it comes to how it affects our body. What makes the effects of one alcoholic drink differ from another is what else is in the drink. Many drinks contain sugar additives, like mixers, fruit concentrates and straight up sugar. Now if you’ve been out with me you know I’m not a condoner of shots, BUT, if you are looking to enjoy with friends at a bar and keeping your skin in mind, shots are one of the best options. Shots have no extra sugar, salt, or other harmful ingredients. Clear shots like vodka, gin, and tequila, lack congeners, and products of fermentation – things that contribute to aging, skindamage, and excess impurities. Dark shots like rum, whiskey and tequila are better than that frozen banana daiquiri but contain those congeners that may worsen your hangover. If you have visited in our office in downtown Melbourne and have seen our Skinceuticals Resveratrol nighttime antioxidant, something may look familiar. Resveratrol Product can be found in red wine, and has been touted by health professionals as the bets anti-aging drink to consume since it carries antioxidants and supports skin health and minimizes aging risks. Depending on your skin type and condition, though, red wine may be more damaging. Patients with rosacea report 76% have a flair up while drinking red wine, versus 21% drinking scotch. Sugar in drinks, and your diet, in general leads to inflammation that contributes to cell damage and increased skin aging. To determine which skincare is best for you, stop in Millefiori in downtown Melbourne and we will help guide you with a free consultation.
Skin Cancer and Alcohol Consumption
Think drinking just affects water levels and the day after hangover? In 2012, the British Journal of Dermatology studied a correlation between drinkers and skin cancer. Though being investigated further by the Association of American Dermatology, they concluded that people who regularly drink alcohol had a 20% higher risk of developing malignant melanoma than people who don’t drink. The objection, which is why further testing is occurring, is the association of social drinkers consuming while getting sun exposure. Most social drinkers enjoy in the lovely outdoors and throw inhibitions to the wind by forgetting to apply SPF throughout the day, which could also be a reason for the spike in cancer cases. Though needing more testing, the relation between drinking and skin conditions have been documented, and should always be considered before consuming.
All in all, there is a reason why the legal drinking age is 21 years in the United States. It not only affects your judgment, mental and physical health, but there are other complications that arise. Drinking choices can affect the day after hangover as well as your skin health, and should be weighed when choosing your choice of beverage. Always drink responsibly, and cheers!
Till Next Time Melbourne!
Love the Skin You’re In.
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