Waking up after a night of one too many cocktails can leave you with a pounding headache and upset stomach the next day, but the results of a new study show the effects can also show up on your skin, and last much longer than 24 hours.
According to DailyMail, experts from CACI International, the largest manufacturer of noninvasive aesthetic treatment systems in the UK, analyzed studies on the effect of increased alcohol consumption on the skin in addition to collecting anecdotal evidence from its own skin care professionals.
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The surprising results revealed that the toxicity left over in the body after a heavy night of drinking can last up to four weeks for women over age 40. This “toxicity” affects your skin, too, leaving behind dark circles, puffiness, and dryness that accentuates fine lines and wrinkles.
“Alcohol can lead to dehydration of the skin,” says Westchester, NY, dermatologist David Bank, MD. “It also causes blood vessels to open (dilate), which makes them a little leaky. This can lead to fluid leaking into the skin, giving a puffy or swollen appearance. In small amounts, these effects are usually negligible, but in larger quantities, especially over time, they take a toll. The effects can last up to a month because this is how long it can take for the skin to repair itself.”
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Another reason you should be more cautious of your alcohol consumption, especially during the holiday season when parties fill your social calendar, is that too many drinks on a regular basis can damage your liver, which also negatively affects your skin (and of course your health).
According to New York dermatologist Dr. Debbie Palmer, alcohol is a hepatotoxin, which means it’s toxic and damaging to the liver. “Too much alcohol could impair the job of your liver in removing toxins from your body, including your skin. The more you drink, the worse it is for your body and your skin. Not to mention, drinking alcohol dehydrates the skin, which makes it look less plump and more wrinkled.”
