IF you've had a heavy weekend of boozing, it's likely you're feeling a bit sluggish today.
While too much booze can wreak havoc on our sleep and overall wellbeing, experts have warned it can also damage your hair.
This is because having one too many can cause dry, brittle, damaged locks over time.
Speaking to The Sun, Harley Street dermatologist Dr Jinah Yoo explained that heavy alcohol consumption can result in nutritional deficiencies.
Dr Yoo, who is working with Revitacare UK said the hair needs vitamins and minerals to stay healthy and continue to grow.
The expert explained: "Zinc, Biotin, Vitamin B12, and folic acid are all very important to maintaining the overall health of the hair.
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"Long-term alcohol consumption may also result in vitamin A, C, D, E, and K deficiency.
"These nutrients are used by your body to maintain healthy brain function as well as healthy hair and nail growth.”
David Gateley, a senior consultant working with RegenLab said that the acute dehydration that can result from excessive drinking will dry out your hair follicles and, over time, result in hair thinning.
The guru explained: "It's difficult for your body to regrow your hair and perform at its best when you're dehydrated and undernourished.
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"Once the damage is done, it will be hard to repair the damage with over-the-counter products, which is when you would need to go to a specialist who may suggest treatment such as PRP."
PRP refers to platelet-rich plasma therapy which uses injections of your own platelets to help heal and potentially reverse hair loss and grow new hair.
David added: "In order to separate the plasma from the red blood cells in PRP therapy, a patient's own blood is centrifuged.
"The plasma is then injected back into the individual, where it becomes abundant in platelets and the growth factors they contain.
"After a few months, individuals will notice thicker hair and reduced hair loss.”
But drinking too much can also cause issues for other aspects of your health including your sexual health, consultant gynaecologist Dr Agnieszka Nalewczynska explained.
Where to get help if you have a problem with alcohol
If you think you might have a problem with booze then you may need to seek help.
This might be the case if you often feel the need to have a drink or if you get into trouble because of your drinking.
If other people have warned you about your drink and it's causing you problems then a good place to start is your GP.
There are other places you can go to get help:
- Drinkline: Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).
- AA – a free self help group that follows the 12 step programme
- Al-Anon Family Groups – a group for friends and family members impacted by drinking
- We Are With You – for individuals, families and communities struggling – call 0808 8010 750 – if you're over 50 and worried about booze
- Adfam – local support groups and message boards
- National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa) – call 0800 358 3456
- SMART Recovery – to help people discover if they have a problem
She said that our hormonal axis connects our brain and reproductive organs.
However if you have too much booze this can become disrupted.
"This can result in testicular shrinkage as well as a drop in testosterone production in men, which is directly related to libido," the medic said.
Dr Nalewczynska adds that drinking can also cause problems with ejaculation, vaginal dryness, and a decrease in sexual desire in people of all genders.
Aside from sexual issues, many people will also suffer from dehydration due to increased alcohol consumption – which in turn can lead to problematic skin.
Julietta Gusarova, a cosmetic doctor working with RegenLab said: "The first effect is dehydration since it causes the skin to completely lose its moisture.
"The skin of a woman who has been drinking for 35 years will appear significantly different than a woman of the same age who hasn't—there will be more wrinkles and fine lines due to dehydration damage, which will certainly make you look older.
"I encourage you to prioritise hydration in your skincare routine. To help the face retain moisture, use a light hydrating cleanser, followed by hyaluronic acid and a thick moisturiser."
If you've been boozing over the summer months then Julietta said you should strive to increase your water intake to rehydrate your body and skin.
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"Drinking more water will not only help the body get rid of toxins, but it will also help hydrate the skin and give it more suppleness, making it look plumper and beautiful.
"Since it helps to naturally tighten the skin and maintain collagen levels in it, it may also aid to lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time," she added.
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