Along with liver, breast, and pancreatic cancer, alcohol abuse also increases the risk of skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. We spoke to Dr. Bart Kachniarz from Belcerna Plastic Surgery in Miami about skin-related side effects of alcohol abuse and how they can be treated, if at all. Either way, fluctuations in a person’s appetite, as a result of alcohol consumption, can lead to changes in their weight. Alcohol is also a diuretic, meaning it dehydrates you every time you have a drink.

Recognizing Alcoholism Outside of the Face

However, for individuals who struggle with alcoholism (chronic alcohol abuse), the effects can be more prominent. As with water retention in the face and body due to the dehydrating effects of alcohol, the feet can also become swollen and discolored due to excessive alcohol abuse. Recurrent swelling may suggest an underlying issue with the kidneys, liver, or heart and should be seen by a doctor if continuing for more than two days in a row. ‘Alcoholic eyes’ is often used to describe the bloodshot eyes of heavy drinkers. Alcohol widens the blood vessels in the eyes, causing more blood to flow through them, increasing their appearance and volume.

Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Levels)

The condition is likely the result of a combination of genetic, social, psychological, and environmental factors. If you suspect that a loved one is struggling with alcoholism, the best approach is to have a compassionate and non-judgmental conversation with them. Express your concern, offer support, and encourage them to seek professional help or join a support group like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous).

Warning Signs

• Recovery is possible, and with the right support, an individual can regain their health and appearance.
• While some people with it do look like those bar patrons, many look perfectly healthy.
• Put simply, the body doesn’t handle the alcohol in the same way as drinkers without the mutation.
• If you suspect that someone may be struggling with alcoholism and alcoholism face, address the issue with care and encourage them to seek professional help or support from a therapist or support group.

Alcohol accelerates the aging process by depleting essential nutrients and antioxidants from the body. Over time, this can lead to the premature development of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning that it increases urine production, leading to dehydration. Dehydrated skin can appear dry, dull, and less plump, potentially contributing to premature aging. Liver disease caused by alcohol use can cause hyperpigmentation, palmar erythema, jaundice, generalized pruritus, and caput medusae. One study found that women who consumed eight or more drinks a week perceived themselves as looking older than those who didn’t drink (8).

The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge. Have you ever alcoholic physical appearance sat at your computer all day without a break, and when you finally call it quits, the eye strain and migraine start kicking in? Physical signs are a way that our body tells us something’s wrong. Younger people may look older than they are due to wrinkles, sagging skin, and aging lines that change the appearance of the face.

• Alcohol’s physical and mental effects can contribute to worsened body image and mental well-being, which can in turn lead to increased alcohol consumption.
• It can also affect outward appearance, ranging from minor skin abnormalities to potentially life-threatening conditions.
• Alcohol can have temporary and long-term effects on your physical appearance.
• However, drinking too much for years may lead to alcohol use disorder (AUD) or alcoholism.
• Jaundice can be a physical sign of liver problems, where the skin takes on a yellowish-brown tone due to high levels of bilirubin in the body.

In the United States, alcohol is everywhere; virtually every adult has had it. Hosted by Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares strategies for coping with alcohol cravings and other addictions, featuring addiction specialist John Umhau, MD. “If you can have programs that get people into treatment at an earlier stage in their addictioin, you can prevent a lot of really serious problems later on,” Volpicelli said. Even if you’re not a wine drinker, the acid in alcohol eats away at tooth enamel, allowing any color from beverages to adhere to teeth, Dr. Timothy Chase, of SmilesNY, told Healthline. When Annie Grace was drinking glasses, if not bottles, of wine on a daily basis, she’d wake up with purple stains on her teeth. Alcohol disrupts sleep, too, and poor sleep saps your face of precious time to repair.

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By understanding the causes behind these visual changes, you can be better informed about the effects of heavy drinking. The liver processes most of the alcohol we drink but is unable to deal with all of it. For heavy drinkers and those with an alcohol use disorder, the remaining alcohol leaves the body via breath, sweat, and urine. This often causes an unpleasant smell that resembles rancid alcohol.

Importance of Identifying “Alcoholic Face”

Withdrawal symptoms include sweating, shaking, nausea, and anxiety. Alcoholic myopathy is a condition that causes loss of function, strength, and deterioration of muscles after prolonged excessive alcohol consumption or binge drinking. The calories contained in alcohol are commonly referred to as ‘empty calories’, meaning they hold no nutritional value for the body. This means the body adds these calories onto the ones consumed via food every time we drink, which can often put people way over their calorie limit if they drink excessively.

From redness and puffiness to more severe indicators like jaundice, the face can reveal much about a person’s relationship with alcohol. However, it’s essential to look beyond the face and consider other signs and symptoms. Treatment and recovery are possible, and understanding these signs is the first step towards helping someone overcome their addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism, don’t hesitate to seek professional help by contacting us. Alcohol-related physical symptoms can vary in how well they can be treated and how permanent the effects are. Inflammed blood vessels, rashes, sagging eyes, and odor issues can all be eased or eradicated through reduced alcohol consumption and medical treatment.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) also reports that women are less likely to seek treatment for AUD than men. This can lead to delayed intervention and exacerbated physical effects. While there may be subtle gender differences in unhealthy drinking habits, alcohol is detrimental to all of us. The challenges faced in this arena have provided her with a strong base of practice in assessment, treatment, and case management.