Does Alcohol Cause Hair Loss?

Alcohol does not directly cause permanent hair loss (like hereditary baldness) in the manner of a medical condition. Nevertheless, an excessive and chronic alcohol intake can make your body an extremely unhealthy place and that in turn can accelerate and aggravate hair shedding and thinning very considerably.

Alcohol and Hair Loss: The Major Link

Nutritional deficiency and hormonal imbalance are the major links between alcohol and hair loss. However there are multiple therapies and treatments available to deal with hair loss and hair thinning like PRP, that work in a minimal invasive manner showing quick results.

The Three Ways Alcohol Undermines Hair Health

Alcohol influences the human body in such ways that it hampers the hair growth cycle directly:

1. Nutrient Deficiencies (The Hair Starvation Effect)

Hair follicles are among the most metabolically active tissues of the body, and they constantly need a supply of vitamins and minerals. Alcohol disrupts this supply chain.

• Poor Absorption: Long-term and heavy drinking wrecks the digestive tract lining and as a result hampers the absorption of the nutrients necessary for hair growth such as Zinc, Folic Acid, Iron, and Vitamin B12.

• Increased Excretion: Alcohol is a diuretic, so it elevates the loss of vitamins and minerals through urine even when the body is not able to use them yet.

The Result: The deficiencies in nutrition caused by which the hair suffers are the main reason why hair follicles are forced to leave the anagen phase and enter the telogen and shedding phase (Telogen Effluvium).

2. Hormonal Imbalances

Intake of alcohol to excess can cause the disruption of the hormonal balance that controls hair growth.

Estrogen/Testosterone: One of the effects of alcohol is to interfere with estrogen metabolism and raise androgen levels. These changes can cause feminization or masculinization of pattern hair loss (Androgenetic Alopecia) that in turn results in increased hair loss.

3. Dehydration and Circulation Issues

Probably, the most harmful effect of alcohol on the body is dehydration. And since every cell in the body is affected by this, the ones in the scalp are not an exception.

• Dry Scalp: The reason for dehydration making the scalp dry and less flexible is that it strips the tissue of its water content.

• Impaired Blood Flow: Research indicates that alcohol can temporarily lead to the narrowing of blood vessels thus oxygen and nutrient flow to the hair follicles is restricted which over time, results in the root structure getting weak.

The Good News: It's Reversible

In case alcohol is the main reason for your hair loss, then the shedding that follows is most likely to be of a temporary nature. Cutting back on or completely stopping alcohol intake gives the body the opportunity to regain nutrient levels and hormonal balance. Usually, once the body is back to normal, hair follicles will go through a healthy growth cycle again which means hair regrowth will take place.

Conclusion

That heavy alcohol consumption very much endangers the bodily conditions necessary for healthy hair is what the verdict is. To help not only your overall health but also your hair volume, the right measure would be to consume alcohol in moderation.

Quick FAQ

Will one glass of wine cause hair loss?

No, moderate, and occasional drinking does not contribute to hair loss. The risk is associated with heavy and long-term consumption.

What is vitamin deficiency associated with?

The B vitamins (particularly B12 and Folate) and Zinc that are very often significantly depleted in individuals who regularly take a high amount of ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌alcohol.