Does Drinking Alcohol Cause Hair Loss?

Quick Summary: Does Drinking Alcohol Cause Hair Loss?

Impact of alcohol on hair health: Drinking alcohol does not directly cause hair loss, but it can contribute to conditions that might affect hair health. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to hair loss by causing nutritional deficiencies, increasing stress levels, and disrupting hormonal balance.
How does alcohol affect hair growth? Alcohol can interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to deficiencies essential for hair growth. It can also exacerbate stress, triggering hair loss. Additionally, alcohol can disrupt the thyroid gland and other hormones involved in hair growth.
Risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption: Besides hair loss, excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of mental health issues, liver damage, cardiovascular problems, and addiction.
How to prevent alcohol-related hair loss? Limit alcohol intake, maintain a balanced diet, manage stress, and consult a healthcare professional for personalised advice.
Impact of alcohol on hair transplants: We generally advise to avoid alcohol for at least 1 week before the procedure to promote optimal recovery. You should avoid heavy alcohol consumption for 2 weeks post the procedure as alcohol can compromise the success of surgery by increasing bleeding and hinder the healing process.

Hair loss can be a frustrating and sometimes embarrassing experience. It can affect people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. While there are many factors that can contribute to hair loss, one common question that pops up is whether our social habits, like enjoying a drink with friends or indulging in a glass of wine with dinner, can be to blame. Let’s look into the facts to understand how alcohol can impact hair health.

What Happens When You Drink Alcohol?

Alcohol, scientifically known as ethanol, is a psychoactive substance commonly found in beverages like beer, wine, and spirits. It is produced through the fermentation of sugars by yeast. When consumed, alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach and intestines, affecting various organs and systems in the body. In the brain, it acts as a depressant, slowing down the central nervous system and impairing cognitive and motor functions. This leads to symptoms such as relaxation, reduced inhibitions, impaired judgment, and slower reaction times.

In the liver, alcohol is metabolised primarily by enzymes, but excessive intake can overwhelm this process, leading to liver damage over time. Prolonged heavy drinking may result in liver disorders such as fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, or cirrhosis. Additionally, alcohol affects other systems such as the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. It can also disrupt the digestive system, potentially leading to gastritis and ulcers, and weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections. Over time, chronic alcohol use can have long-lasting health impacts, both physical and mental.

Effect of Alcohol on Hair Health

Drinking alcohol does not directly cause hair loss, but it can contribute to conditions that might affect hair health. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, and hormonal imbalances, all of which can weaken hair and potentially contribute to thinning hair over time. While alcohol alone is not the direct cause of hair loss, its impact on overall health can influence hair health.

Nutritional deficiencies

Hair follicles require a steady supply of nutrients to produce healthy hair, just like any other part of your body. A variety of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B7/ Biotin, B12, C, D, and E, as well as iron and zinc, play crucial roles in hair growth. Many of these can be obtained through food or supplements, and some, like vitamin D, are synthesised by your skin.

Moderate alcohol consumption is generally acceptable, but excess intake can interfere with enzymes that help your body absorb nutrients¹. Heavy drinking can significantly impair nutrient absorption, leading to deficiencies that may impact hair health. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can reduce appetite, causing you to consume fewer nutrient-rich foods². Studies have found that heavy drinkers are more likely to have lower intakes of fibre, calcium, iron, folic acid, and other essential nutrients, which in turn will affect overall health.

Mental health and stress

While a casual drink can offer temporary relaxation, excessive alcohol consumption can ironically increase stress levels³. Alcohol addiction often leads to a cascade of problems, including social strain, financial instability, and difficulty navigating daily life. It can also disrupt sleep patterns, affecting cortisol levels. Stress can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, which is a temporary form of hair loss similar to that caused by nutritional deficiencies. Alcohol addiction is frequently linked to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression⁴, both of which can also contribute to telogen effluvium. Moderating your alcohol consumption can therefore benefit both your hair health and overall well-being.

Thyroid issues

Excessive alcohol consumption can disrupt the thyroid gland and other hormones involved in regulating various bodily processes, such as hair growth and shedding⁵. Severe or prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism may lead to hair loss and thinning across the entire scalp. This can occur suddenly or gradually over time⁵. Read our comprehensive blog on thyroid hormones and female hair loss here.

Alcohol consumption may lead to smoking

Alcohol consumption is a well-known trigger for social smoking, which can have detrimental effects on overall health. One study estimates that 62% of smokers identify as social smokers⁶.

Research indicates that smokers are more likely to experience hair loss than non-smokers⁷. This is likely due to the harmful effects of cigarette chemicals on hair follicles. A comprehensive guide on how smoking causes hair loss can be found here.

Preventing Alcohol Related Hair Losses

Limiting alcohol consumption

If you suspect that your drinking habits are impacting your hair growth, limiting your alcohol consumption is a good starting point. According to the NHS⁸,

Try to keep alcohol consumption under 14 units a week. This means limiting your intake to no more than 6 pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of lower-strength wine per week. (One unit equals 10ml or 8g of pure alcohol, which is around the amount of alcohol the average adult can process in an hour.)
Spread your drinking out over at least 3 days. This helps to reduce the overall amount you consume on any given day.
Aim for some days without drinking. This can help you to cut down on your overall alcohol intake and reduce the risk of negative consequences.

A calculator to track your intake can be found here: Alcohol Change UK’s unit calculator.

Lifestyle changes

A healthy lifestyle is the cornerstone of healthy hair. Here are some additional tips to promote hair growth and prevent thinning:

Manage Stress: Stress has the potential to increase hair loss. Reducing stress through techniques like meditation, yoga, or therapy may indirectly benefit hair regrowth.
Eat a well-balanced healthy diet: Ensure your diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs for optimal hair health.
Improve Sleep Habits: Good sleep is crucial for overall health including hair growth, as it provides the body with a chance to rest and restore.

Treating Hair Loss

If you’re experiencing hair loss and suspect alcohol might be a contributing factor, the first step is to consult with a hair loss specialist. They can assess your unique situation, determine the cause of hair loss, and recommend suitable treatment options. Depending on the severity, solutions can range from supplements containing essential nutrients, to medications, to advanced hair restoration techniques like hair transplants.

Hair transplants involve relocating healthy hair follicles from one part of the scalp (the donor area) to the recipient area⁹. This procedure can restore hair in areas of thinning and balding, and improve a patient’s appearance and self-confidence. It’s important to note that if you’re considering a hair transplant, you should avoid alcohol for at least 1 week before and 2 weeks after the procedure. This is because alcohol can hinder the clotting process, and increase the risk of bleeding during and after the procedure. This can then compromise the success of the transplant¹⁰. Additionally, alcohol can dehydrate the body, impairing skin health and preventing hair grafts from tethering properly. Drinking alcohol can also weaken the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to infections during recovery.

Please feel free to reach out to our friendly team at The Treatment Rooms for any advice regarding your hair health. We’re here to help you explore options and address any concerns you may have about hair loss and potential treatments.

Conclusion

While moderate alcohol consumption is generally safe, excessive drinking can have detrimental effects on your hair health. By understanding the potential risks and taking steps to reduce your alcohol intake, you can promote healthier hair growth and overall well-being. If you’re concerned about the impact of alcohol on your hair, our team at The Treatment Rooms are always happy to advise and guide.

References

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Fawehinmi, T.O. et al. (2012) ‘Alcohol consumption and dietary patterns: The findrink study’, PLoS ONE, 7(6). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0038607. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22719905/
Nehring, S.M. (2024) Alcohol use disorder (nursing), StatPearls [Internet]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK568739/.
Kuria, M.W. et al. (2012) ‘The association between alcohol dependence and depression before and after treatment for alcohol dependence’, ISRN Psychiatry, 2012, pp. 1–6. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3658562/
Balhara, Y.S. and Deb, K. (2013) ‘Impact of alcohol use on thyroid function’, Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 17(4), p. 580. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3743356/
Song, A.V. and Ling, P.M. (2011) ‘Social smoking among young adults: Investigation of intentions and attempts to quit’, American Journal of Public Health, 101(7), pp. 1291–1296. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3110219/
Trüeb, R.M. (2003) ‘Association between smoking and hair loss: Another opportunity for Health Education against smoking?’, Dermatology, 206(3), pp. 189–191. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12673073/
Alcohol units (no date) NHS choices. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/calculating-alcohol-units/.
Rassman, W.R. et al. (2002) ‘Follicular unit extraction: Minimally invasive surgery for hair transplantation’, Dermatologic Surgery, 28(8), pp. 720–728. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12174065/
Olsen, H. and Osterud, B. (1986) ‘Effects of ethanol on human blood fibrinolysis and coagulation’, Alcohol Alcohol Suppl, 1, pp. 591–4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3426737/