Alcohol and Hair Loss – Is there a connection between them?
In this blog post, we will address one of the most commonly asked questions: “Does alcohol cause hair loss?” We will clarify the link between alcohol consumption and hair loss, as well as discuss how drinking can affect your hair and whether it’s possible to recover lost hair due to alcoholism.
Does Alcohol Cause Hair Loss?
While you might wonder if drinking causes hair loss, the answer isn’t entirely straightforward because alcohol consumption and hair loss are not directly correlated. However, alcohol consumption can lead to various health issues, which, in turn, affect hair growth and can lead to baldness, excessive shedding, and hair thinning. Excessive drinking can also result in a deficiency of nutrients, one of the leading causes of hair loss in both men and women. While moderate drinking doesn’t significantly impact hair health, those who drink heavily often experience baldness or hair thinning.
How Drinking Can Cost You Your Hair – The Connection Between Hair Loss and Alcohol
As mentioned earlier, alcohol itself doesn’t directly cause hair loss. Nevertheless, excessive, long-term drinking can trigger other bodily changes that will subsequently affect your hair’s health. To make it easier to understand, we’ve divided these factors into three subsections:
Nutrient Deficiency Caused by Alcohol Consumption and Subsequent Hair Loss: Your body relies on various nutrients to remain healthy, and alcohol consumption disrupts the breakdown and absorption of these nutrients, resulting in various health issues, including hair loss. Here are some of the nutrients your body may fail to absorb due to excessive drinking:
Zinc and Copper: Alcohol consumption significantly hinders the absorption of zinc and copper. Deficiencies in zinc and copper are leading causes of hair loss.
Proteins: Excessive drinking disrupts protein absorption in the body, leading to various issues with nails, hair, and skin.
Long-term drinking can further deplete vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, all of which are essential for healthy hair.
Excessive Drinking and Hair Loss: Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to extreme dehydration, which can dry out hair follicles, making your hair more prone to breakage and shedding. The more alcohol you consume, the higher the acidity levels in your body, which, in turn, reduces the nutrients available and worsens the quality and quantity of your hair.
Other Alcohol-Related Factors Contributing to Hair Loss: Regular alcohol consumption negatively affects the thyroid and the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis. This is because excessive drinking disrupts hormones that regulate various bodily functions, including hair loss and hair growth. There is also a close connection between alcohol withdrawal and thyroid disorders. Many people typically smoke and drink together. Cigarettes are rich in nicotine and other harmful ingredients that can drastically affect both hair and skin. Smoke damages hair follicles and slows down the hair growth cycle.
Is it Possible to Reverse Alcohol-Induced Hair Loss?
“Will my hair grow back if I stop drinking?” is a common question. Fortunately, the answer is yes. However, you must completely quit consuming alcohol and increase your intake of nutritious foods to provide your body with the necessary nutrients in adequate quantities. Once your body replenishes the depleted nutrients, your hair will grow back strong and healthy.