Many factors can aggravate hair loss, including genetics, environmental factors, and diet, among others. Is there evidence that wine, beer, and cocktails are among those factors? The occasional drink has no negative impact on your hair, but consistent drinking, excess drinking, or using hair products that contain alcohol can.
Can Too Much Alcohol Make Your Hair Fall Out?
Excessive alcohol consumption has two primary effects that can have an impact on your hair. The first is an increase in the risk of nutritional deficiencies, which deny your hair the essential building blocks of growth.
The second effect alcohol consumption causes is dehydration. This dehydration makes the hair brittle and prone to a wide variety of damage beyond just hair loss. Dandruff, split ends, and easily broken hair shafts are all symptoms of dehydration.
In addition, be careful about which hair products you use. There are a number of products on the market that contain alcohol, and it is worth knowing which ones are truly safe for your hair. Fatty alcohols, also known as lipid or long-chain alcohols, are often found in leave-in conditioners, and deep conditioners. These alcohols are beneficial and can help moisturize hair. Look for the following alcohols when choosing your styling products: cetyl, stearyl, oleyl, cetearyl, and lanolin.
Will My Hair Grow Back If I Stop Drinking Alcohol?
It varies on a case-by-case basis. Prolonged, extreme alcohol abuse can lead to permanent hair loss. In many cases, quitting alcohol creates a much more conducive environment for regrowth, which can take different amounts of time for different people.
It may take months for visible improvement to appear.
Can Alcohol Cause Alopecia Areata?
There is no conclusive evidence at this point. As with many lifestyle factors, research into the matter is still ongoing. One study has shown that regular drinkers actually showed a lower risk of alopecia areata. On the other hand, multiple studies have demonstrated that alcohol aggravates skin inflammation in patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
In the meantime, alcohol’s noted impact on nutrition and hydration are significant enough factors to warrant being aware of your usage. While direct effects on alopecia are as yet unproven, reducing alcohol intake creates a better environment for hair regrowth.
Precision Hair Restoration, Your Hair Loss Specialists
If you are concerned about hair loss or that your hair is thinning, the team at Precision Hair Restoration can help. We offer the most current cutting-edge treatment options for medical and surgical hair restoration. Whether your problems are caused by alcohol or other factors, we will develop a treatment program tailored to your individual needs. To get started on your hair restoration journey, contact us today!
