If You Booze, You May Lose ..Your Hair

Hair loss is on the rise in recent years,  and consuming too many sugary drinks may be linked to higher risk, suggests a study published January 1 in the journal Nutrients. Michael is one of the co-owners of Battle Born Grooming Co, where he works tirelessly to provide the best products for his customers. He is grateful for his love of life, the beach, and all things hair, which have led him on an incredible journey to where he is today.

alcoholism and hair loss

“Hydration is key to healthy, shiny, hair.” You should also take your supplements regularly, and chase a night out with a hydrating hair mask for good measure. It’s an act of self-care that will make your hangover a little more bearable. A 2013 study of 92 sets of identical twins looked at what factors besides genetics would impact hair loss in men. The results determined that increased alcohol consumption was one of the factors contributing to increased temporal hair loss in the study participants. For example, zinc plays a role in the process of keratinization (the formation of the protein keratin which forms the hair follicle) (22). Inadequate levels of zinc, then, can contribute to poor keratinization and induce telogen effluvium.

Alcohol and Hair Loss

If you are not able to stop drinking on your own, it may be time to enroll in an alcohol abuse treatment program. An inpatient or outpatient program will give an individual the tools they need to cope with everyday stressors without drinking. Finally, the habits that go along with drinking may lead to hair loss.

alcoholism and hair loss

Not taking in enough key nutrients is likely due to alcohol’s low nutritional value (hence people often referring to alcohol as “empty calories”) and not eating a proper diet. While drinking alcohol is not one of the direct sober house causes of hair loss, alcohol intake has been linked to other things that do cause hair loss, including nutrient deficiencies and smoking. This is perhaps why we don’t have any studies linking alcohol and hair loss.

5. Fatty Acids

However, these are what are referred to as “empty calories,” or ones that contain none of the vital nutrients needed for the body’s ability to function properly. For individuals who struggle with a drinking problem, it is not uncommon for them to experience a decrease in their appetite. For individuals with this condition, their previously healthy scalp may appear patchy, with diffused areas of baldness across their head. It controls the body’s metabolism, energy levels, growth, development, and reproduction, and electrolyte balance.

Protein deficiency can result in a number of skin and hair conditions. Fatty acids are a component of the major structure of the cell membrane and regulate the signaling pathway in cell interaction [71]. Recent studies have updated the importance of fatty acids in the pathogenesis of various diseases and have determined their possible therapeutic efficacy.

ALCOHOL

Telogen effluvium occurs when the hair growth cycle is prematurely shifted into its resting phase. This could stem from the individual relying solely on alcoholic beverages as their main form of dietary intake. However, there are some cases in which a person’s alcohol intake actually causes interference with their body’s ability to process and use food. Thromboxane A2 enhances IL-17 production and enhances imiquimod-induced cutaneous IL-17 immune reactions [84]. Smoking activates inflammatory cytokine production and IFN-γ and exacerbates inflammatory responses.

  • Alcohol-related hair loss might be a concern for you right now, but it’s important to recognize that the effects of alcohol are more than skin-deep.
  • The investigation of daily lifestyle factors may be helpful to obtain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of alopecia areata in an individual patient.
  • In other words, it produces more DHT which is believed to be the main trigger for AGA sufferers.
  • Not having the right bacteria in your gut can go on to cause a host of other health issues that eventually may lead to hair loss (15).

This study evaluated sleep quality using a self-administered questionnaire, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, to evaluate excessive daytime sleepiness. Approximately 11.4% of alopecia areata patients suffered from excessive daytime sleepiness. The mean Epworth Sleepiness Scale score showed no significant difference between alopecia areata and healthy subjects and no correlation with the severity and duration of alopecia areata. Therefore, further large-scale studies are necessary to determine the actual impact of sleep disturbance on the risk of alopecia areata.

Poor diet, constantly throwing up, not taking care of one’s personal hygiene, and dehydration are all things that can cause hair loss due to alcoholism. Males are far more likely to go bald than women due to DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, production being much more prevalent in men. However, with alcohol and hair loss, it becomes an issue that pertains to both men and women. Due to people being ignorant to this fact, it is often ignored by many heavy drinkers. It’s also important to keep in mind that not only can alcohol cause hair loss, but it can also lead to other issues like cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. Finding alcohol treatment is crucial for long-term recovery in people with alcoholism.

  • In addition, various chemicals are contained in tobacco, and tobacco-smoke exposure causes various harmful effects on human health.
  • But men who reported hair loss tended to drink more, about 12 servings a week on average, compared to seven per week for men who didn’t report hair loss.
  • We will help you learn how to take care of your mind and body so that they will take care of you.
  • Women should have no more than three drinks on a single day and no more than seven drinks per week.

For individuals struggling with an alcohol abuse disorder, it is likely that they will be advised by a health professional to undergo a medical detoxification process. For individuals who struggle with drinking alcohol in consistently excessive patterns, suddenly stopping or limiting this behavior can result in the development of withdrawal symptoms. These can range in severity based on how dependent the individual has become upon alcohol, and may even be fatal in extreme situations. This may manifest in an increasing level of difficulty experienced with carrying out basic self-care habits, such as washing and brushing their hair. This will lead to an eventual breakdown in the health of their hair, which can cause thinning hair, breakage and, of course, hair loss.