The ‘Drynuary’ or ‘Dry January’ phenomenon may help detox your skin after Christmas!
Every year thousands of Irish people do ‘Dry January’, abstaining from alcohol for one month in the hope of allowing the body to recover from the excesses of the Christmas holidays!
We are all aware of the damaging effects of excessive alcohol on the liver, but what about what it does to your skin?
Dehydration and ageing
Alcohol consumption has a diuretic effect on the body and when you are dehydrated on the inside, less water is available to moisturise your skin leading to skin that appears rough, dry and flaky and is more prone to sensitivity and itching.
Regularly exceeding alcohol recommendations not only takes a toll on your skins appearance (dull dry complexion, ageing skin) but can also worsen pre-existing skin conditions.
Excessive alcohol intake or alcohol abuse can result in many health problems and has been implicated as a trigger or aggravating factor in some skin conditions such as Psoriasis and Rosacea.
- Related: Psoriasis and Beyond Survey for Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis
- Related: Your Guide to Face Masks and Your Skin
- Related: Rosacea: The Curse of the Celts
Rosacea and alcohol
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition occurring on the face and characterised by redness, dilated blood vessels, flushing, small red bumps and pus filled spots. The severity of these symptoms tends to come and go.
The scientific explanation of how alcohol effects your skin is when you drink alcohol your blood vessels dilate, allowing more blood flow near the surface of your skin giving your face a red glow. Rosacea sufferers usually find just a single drink is often enough to bring on symptoms.
Psoriasis and alcohol
Psoriasis is a common, non-contagious, long term, immune-mediated inflammatory disease in which there is an increase in the rate at which skin cells are produced and shed from the skin. A number of studies have shown that there is a possible influence of alcohol on the severity and the extent of skin surface involvement of the skin disease.
Therefore reducing or eliminating your alcohol consumption could help reduce the severity of your psoriasis.
If you would like information on how to reduce your alcohol consumption visit Drink Aware or if you have questions about your skin contact the ISF Helpline for one-to-one information and support.
