If you know someone who has been drinking alcohol for an extended period, you might have experienced the sighting of an alcoholic face. No, this is not a medical term for the condition. It is what it is: a person wears the signs of heavy drinking on their face.
And even though the face is where we see it first, the face isn’t exactly the issue. When a person has alcoholic face, their body is taking a toll. Here, we will go into what it looks like and what is happening. We are going to explore how to reverse it (if possible.)
Spoiler alert: There’s hope!
What is Alcoholic Face?
Again, it’s not a medical condition, per se, the way your face looks because of excessive alcohol consumption. It includes all kinds of things, from blotchiness to swelling to premature aging.
When you see a person with a big red nose and puffy cheeks, you might be witnessing an alcoholic face. But what is really happening here?
Alcoholic Face Beneath the Skin
If you drink five beers a day, you might think you are getting your liquids in. But it’s not true. Yes, beer is a liquid, but it is a diuretic. What that means is it causes your body to lose fluids. Losing lots of fluids leads to dehydration, which makes it dull and tired-looking. And this is just the start
Puffy and Ruddy
Alcohol tends to dilate your blood vessels. They get bigger and swell up with blood. When this happens in the face, you get all red. Or ruddy or flushed. This is why some people get that reddish hue after a few drinks.
Spider Nose
You do this enough (repeated dilation), and your blood vessels can burst. So, if you have seen a person with spidery veins in red or purple on their cheeks or nose, this could be a sign of heavy drinking for an extended period.
Puffiness
Back to the swelling. Alcohol is a diuretic, yes. But it also causes water retention. This gives you a puffy face. You tend to see it around the eyes first (or at least it’s more noticeable here). With this one, there could be even deeper issues. Your liver might have a hard time keeping up with detoxing your blood.
Signs of Heavy Alcohol Drinking in the Face
So, to recap, what does alcoholic face look like?
- Persistent Redness: If your face stays red even when not drinking, this could indicate inflammation caused by alcohol.
- Puffy Eyes: Chronic puffiness around the eyes, even after a good night’s sleep, might indicate excessive drinking.
- Dry, Flaky Skin: Alcohol strips your skin of moisture, leading to dryness and flakiness that doesn’t seem to improve with moisturizers.
- Broken Capillaries: Tiny red or purple lines on your face, especially around your nose and cheeks, can be a tell-tale sign of alcohol damage.
What Does Alcoholic Face Mean for Your Overall Health?
What happens on our skin, especially strange or persistent issues, tends to point to deeper problems. Here, we are talking about potential danger to your organs and your overall health and longevity.
Chronic drinking harms your liver. The liver gets rid of the toxins in your body; without it, you could get clotting, imbalances that affect mood and cognitive function, Cirrhosis (which can progress to liver failure), heart diseases, and so much more.
Also, the inflammation that shows up as redness in your face can also occur in your other organs, leading to various health problems.
Can You Reverse Alcoholic Face?
The good news is that many of the effects of alcoholic face are reversible if you take steps to reduce or eliminate alcohol from your life. Here’s how:
- Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Start drinking plenty of water to rehydrate your skin. Proper hydration can help restore your skin’s elasticity and reduce puffiness.
- Healthy Diet: Eating a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can help your skin heal and reduce inflammation.
- Skincare Routine: Incorporate a gentle skincare routine that moisturizes and protects your skin from further damage.
- Cut Back or Quit: The most effective way to reverse alcoholic face is to reduce your alcohol intake or quit altogether. Your skin will thank you, and so will your entire body.
A Brighter Future for Your Face and Health
Are you noticing the signs of alcoholic face in the mirror? Or maybe in a loved one. It’s quite possible that drinking has become a problem. Alcoholic face is your body’s way of saying, “Hold up here. Something is wrong.” It is wise to listen.
The potential good news is that you can change things. Both inwardly and outwardly. The sooner you start, the better. The even deeper issue here is what is happening psychologically and socially: this has become an issue.
This is where treatment at Covenant Hills Treatment Center alcohol rehab is the best way to get rid of alcoholic face. Why? Because heavy drinking is more than skin deep. It comes with deeper issues that take a team of professionals to help you heal.
If you are looking for a healthier face, body, and life, reaching out for help is the best place to start.
Call us today
At Covenant Hills Treatment Center in Orange County, CA, we have over 20 years of experience helping people find healing from alcohol addiction. Call us today to talk to one of our treatment specialists: 800-662-2873.
