Unfortunately, our hair is not alike fine wine and does not get better with age…or alcohol! While alcohol itself does not cause hair to fall out, it certainly contributes and depending how much you drink, it can play a bigger role than you think!
Ever had “cotton-mouth” after a night of drinking? We all know alcohol causes dehydration of the body, but what about dehydration of your hair? Truth be told – dehydration related to alcohol causes dry, brittle hair and even may cause dandruff on the scalp. Making dry, brittle hair more likely to fall out or break off and dandruff can make your hair loss even worse.
Sapping your hair of essential vitamins and nutrients – alcohol destroys folic acid, folic acid is a necessary vitamin we need to uphold healthy, strong hair. Excessive alcohol intake can lower your iron levels, leading to a hair loss condition called Telogen Effluvium. The hair goes into a ‘remission’ state causing it to fall out far too soon. New growth is stunted, creating a vicious cycle of no growth as well as losing your existing hair.
Boozing also decreases the levels of zinc in our bodies. With zinc being essential for healthy hair growth, low levels of zinc are known to speed up the aging process of the hair, causing more to fall out. Excessive alcohol also burns up vitamin B and C, and no…a Screwdriver is not a reliable source of vitamin C!
In our heavy drinkers, it’s very well-known that alcohol leads to liver damage, but did you know liver damage can stunt hair growth? This is mainly due to the fact of the reduced intake or preservation of nutrients – fewer nutrients, less hair growth.
So, to answer the question, yes…alcohol plays an indirect role in hair loss!
Hair requires constant nourishment to stay healthy and grow well. While everyone reacts differently to using alcohol, the time to start worrying is when your normal pattern of hair loss changes. At this time, it may be fitting to make an appointment with a leading hair restoration specialist alike Dr. Yazdan who can treat alcohol-related hair loss and stunted growth.
Your best non-surgical hair loss treatments can consist of a hair loss prevention shampoo such as GroMD that stimulates the follicles and nourishes the scalp, leaving room for survival of your frazzled, damaged hair. Minoxidil (Rogaine) and Finasteride (Propecia) are two highly effective medications approved by the FDA in treating hair loss by decreasing the production of DHT. Depending on the severity of your hair loss and the psychological toll it can take on one’s appearance, Advanced PRP injections and low-level Laser Therapy can be added to your hair care regimen for optimal results!
Now we’re not saying you need to lay off the booze completely – after all, a glass of red wine is good for the heart! However, adopting healthier habits and starting a healthy hair care routine can not only prevent further hair loss from occurring, it can also help in new hair growth leaving you with healthier, thicker strands of hair.

 

For questions or to schedule a consultation, call one of our offices conveniently located in Irvine, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas at 888-717-5273 or contact via our website at contact Modena Hair Link