Who wants a blotchy face and droopy eyes? Sounds good? Drinking can affect the way you look in some pretty nasty ways. Let’s take a look at the effects of alcohol.
Alcohol wreaks havoc on your sleep pattern and is especially damaging to your skin. When you look in the mirror the morning after a drinking session, the person you see staring back at you may not be the same person they were the night before. Consuming too much alcohol can negatively affect your physical appearance the next day and also have longer lasting effects.
Alcohol will make you fat. Each medium 6-ounce glass of wine contains approximately 125 calories; the number approaches 600 in a whole bottle. Cocktails, beer, and spirits are even more calorie-dense. One of the two drinks is the caloric equivalent of a king-size chocolate bar.
And it’s not just your waistline that will be a cause for concern. Alcohol prevents your body and mind from getting the “full spectrum” sleep it needs.
the mirror never lies
Anyone who has experienced the joy of a hangover will be well aware that the mirror can be quite unforgiving the morning after a night out. Your skin probably looks pale, dull and tired. Dr. Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists states:
“Alcohol dehydrates your body in general, including your skin, which is the largest organ in your body. This happens every time you drink. Alcohol is also known to strip the skin of certain essential vitamins and nutrients,” he adds. At least women have the option of makeup to disguise the telltale signs of a hangover.
But that’s just the beginning. Drinking more than recommended over time can have other, much more permanent damaging effects on your skin. Rosacea, a skin disorder that begins with a tendency to blush and flush easily and can eventually lead to facial disfigurement, is linked to alcohol.
“One of the consequences of alcohol is dilation of the tiny blood vessels in the skin, which can make the skin appear redder,” says Goad. “The central areas of the face may be dotted with small red bumps and patches of pus, which come and go in clusters. Small dilated blood vessels also appear, which look like thin red streaks.”
Swelling of the face.
Alcohol can make your face swell and look puffy. You may notice that your stomach also swells. And let’s not forget cellulite; there are many who believe that the toxins from alcohol build up to contribute to this. If this isn’t the look you’re after and you drink a lot, there are steps you can take to reduce and improve.
What is the smell?
Yes there are more. Hangovers tend to stink a bit. The liver is responsible for metabolizing most of the alcohol, but 5-10% will leave the body through the mouth (bad breath?), sweat, and waste products (urine and err… you know).
If you were too drunk to remove your makeup before bed, you’re much more likely to get some lovely spots too. Never mind the dull, bloodshot eyes.
So we’ve established that the hangover look may not be for you, regardless of the appearance of having been a heavy drinker for many years. Here are 3 proven tips to help prevent this from happening.
1. Stop drinking or reduce your alcohol intake. Perhaps obviously this will have the most profound effect on your overall health and appearance. Consider this carefully, can you drink less or do you even need to drink something?
2. Adopt a healthier diet. A good diet is crucial to maintaining your appearance. Start with plenty of fruits and vegetables, the vitamins and antioxidants will work wonders for you. Good quality, lean proteins like chicken breasts, tuna, and lean beef, combined with complex carbohydrates like brown rice and whole wheat bread, will take care of the rest.
3. Take a health supplement made from AFAs that contains brain-boosting Omega 3 fatty acids that have the ability to dramatically improve your health and well-being. NASA has given AFA to astronauts to repair the damage done to their brains by the gong in space. Not only will this supplement help you preserve your appearance and health, but it will also help reverse any damage and reverse the effects of alcohol.