Alcohol can have atrocious effects on your skin, as many of us have learned first hand the hard way after having a few too many. You might wake up and look in the mirror wondering who the haggard person is staring back at you. Fortunately, you can prevent some long-term damage with a few simple tricks.

 

The Damages

One of the biggest side effects is that of dry skin, which originates from becoming dehydrated. Alcohol acts as a diuretic which causes you to urinate more frequently thus draining the skin from essential moisture necessary to remain plump and vibrant. Alcohol also limits the body’s ability to reabsorb water which prevents the hydration process. Vitamin A is also depleted from alcohol which decreases your ability to fight of free radicals, as well as new cell generation that allows your skin to have a lovely and natural glow.  If you drink sugary alcoholic beverages, the sugar can lead to inflammation and excessive production of oil in the skin. If you drink salt-rimmed margaritas, the salt can lead to bloating and bags under your eyes. And, of course, do not forget about red face from dilated blood vessels often associated with Rosacea.

 

Tips and Tricks

To return your skin back to looking as it should, it is recommended that you stop drinking alcohol altogether. Your skin has the ability to regenerate, however it may not be restored to a non-drinkers state if you have been drinking for 10 or more years. Basically, the sooner you quit drinking, the better for your skin. If you do drink, try to limit your consumption to a few drinks once or twice a week. Drink plenty of water. You will need to drink more than the recommended eight glasses per day after a night or day of drinking alcohol. It is recommended to drink at least 12 glasses after a drinking session.  Before you go to bed, be sure to drink water, wash your face, and apply moisturizer. Get plenty of rest. Once you wake up, take a cold shower, exfoliate, apply under eye cream, and moisturize again. If you have puffy eyes, you can use tea bags to diminish the puff to look refreshed. If you are looking pale, try a tinted moisturizer to add a bit of color to your face or an illuminator to brighten your look.

 

You may not be able to prevent damage entirely, however these tips and tricks will definitely minimize the damage alcohol has on your skin.

 

Do you have any skin recovery tips or tricks after a night of drinking?