Alcohol and Aging Effects: Does Alcohol Make You Look Older?

Alcohol dehydrates your body, including the skin – and this happens every time you drink. When you drink, the dehydrating (or ‘diuretic’) effect of alcohol means your skin loses fluid and nutrients that are vital for healthy-looking skin. This can make your skin look wrinkled, dull and grey, or bloated and puffy. Compared to someone who doesn’t drink, the skin of an alcoholic usually looks quite dry, dull, uneven, and loose.

Q: What drink makes you look younger?

Studies have shown that alcohol can age the brain so much that young people who drink regularly have been found to share similar brain activity to those of elderly adults. For example, young people who drink regularly have been shown to perform poorly in tests of executive function. Heavy alcohol consumption not only causes visible changes to our body that make us look older — it actually accelerates our aging at a cellular level. This puts us at an even greater risk for prematurely developing cancer or disease. We might not notice the effects right away, but underneath the surface, alcohol damages the many bodily systems and functions that are vital for living well into old age. Heavy drinking can also lead to shifts in hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol.

Cardiovascular Health

Stick to the guideline units of alcohol and have consecutive non-drinking days. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, reaching out for help is a crucial first step. At Little Creek Recovery, we understand how challenging it can be to ask for assistance, but our team of trained professionals is here to guide you.

Ask me about recovery, I can help you!

• This can also lead to impaired eyesight and the need for glasses, contacts, or surgery to correct your vision.
• Additionally, alcohol dilates blood vessels, leading to persistent redness, particularly on the face.
• However, when does it morph from a regular, innocent occurrence into alcohol use disorder (AUD) or alcoholism?
• Alcohol is a double whammy on your waistline as it slows down your metabolism and is full of weight-gaining sugars.
• If you’re struggling to remain sober, our caring and supportive staff at Ardu can guide you through the six stages of recovery, from managing withdrawal symptoms to achieving sobriety.

One night of heavy drinking can make your wrinkles more evident. While that consequence is temporary, if it continues, it could have lasting effects. Drinking alcohol may make you feel younger as you lose your inhibitions and gain some energy, but the hangover the next day can make you feel sick, sluggish, and downright old. Even if you don’t experience acute after-effects, alcohol can age you. You may not realize it, but alcohol and aging effects go hand-in-hand. Broadly, smoking (be it cigarettes or vapes) reduces oxygen and nutrient delivery in other organs, including your skin, Cohn said.

• Reversible Effects from Alcohol Abuse Maintaining sobriety for 5-7 years is the peak time where reversible changes can occur.
• This is one of the biggest debates in the world of marijuana.
• Monocytes play an important role in inflammation and aging process.
• At FHE Health, our professionals have decades of experience helping people with substance use disorders, as well as their loved ones.

Opiate abusers frequently feel warm as part of the effects of the drug. They are also more likely to have dark sweat stains on their clothing. Another effect of opiate abuse is bloodshot eyes and bags under the eyes. As you age, changes in body weight can alter how alcohol is metabolized and how quickly alcohol leaves the system, affecting how you feel the next day.

• Symptoms of that include lack of judgment, organization, or emotional control, trouble staying focused, and anger issues.
• Keeping a trim figure becomes a lot harder as you get older, and drinking can make it even more challenging to keep the lean figure of your youth.
• However, drinking excessive amounts on a regular basis puts you at risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD), also known as alcohol dependence, alcoholism, and alcohol abuse.

Sugar-laden cocktails are the worst since sugar raises the insulin levels in your body, which then triggers inflammation. And, as you already know, inflammation leads to accelerated aging. This is why frequent urination is one of the common side effects of drinking too much alcohol. Though marijuana has found widespread use in the medical community, it still has its fair share of issues. For example, some researchers found that long-term cannabis usage encouraged hardening of the arteries, which causes major organ damage and accelerates aging. If your result makes you feel concerned about your drinking, don’t be afraid to book an appointment with your doctor or counselor.

• Along with a person’s exterior weight and skin, there are other aging issues that are related to excessive drinking.
• You may have more trouble regulating your emotions or managing your coordination.
• If you or a loved one suspects a problem with alcohol, it is essential to seek professional help.
• This is especially true when it comes to alcohol abuse and addiction.

In today’s busy world, it’s easy to grab ready-made food options in packages off the shelf or to eat on the go from food stands or restaurant takeout. But these types of foods don’t have the nutrients your body needs, which can lead to premature aging. Furthermore, while our liver processes most of the alcohol we drink, some of it leaves our body through our urine, breath, and sweat. Even one night of drinking can lead to changes in smell, but the more we drink, the more likely we’re to emit an unpleasant odor that is not typical for a young and healthy person. When it comes to ageing gracefully, you begin to evaluate your lifestyle and habits. While an occasional alcoholic beverage won�t have too big an effect on your looks, drinking too much alcohol can cause redness, wrinkles, and a dry complexion.

You Can See It In Your Eyes

They’re also likelier to experience an uneven complexion and more wrinkles. If any of this sounds familiar, Oar Health might be right for you. Oar Health offers medication FDA-approved for the treatment of alcohol problems. On average, a 12-ounce beer has about 150 calories, and 5 ounces of wine has about 120 calories (4). You can use online calculators to determine how many calories you consume from alcohol.

Now a clinical psychologist who works with people with addictions, Utter knows alcohol-use disorder falls on a spectrum. While Oxford House some people with it do look like those bar patrons, many look perfectly healthy. Drinking heavily and smoking for years are well-known features of an unhealthy lifestyle. They can also make you look older, according to a new study. When you don�t drink enough of it, it can end up showing on your skin. Skin dryness, crow�s feet, dark circles, and fine lines will make you look older than you are.