Liquor, wine, and beer all contain the chemical compound called alcohol. A person who consumes it in excess may not be receiving enough nutrients to maintain the health of their hair.

There is no scientific proof that alcohol does not directly contribute to hair loss, but it does cause other problems that do.

Read on to find out more about alcohol, when it’s bad for hair, how it affects other body systems besides hair, and how to maintain healthy hair.

Can Drinking Alcohol Cause Hair Loss?

A glass of wine every now and then is probably not going to harm your hair, first and foremost. Though some hair loss can result from excessive drinking. This is because drinking a considerable amount of alcohol can affect the way your body absorbs certain nutrients that are important for hair health. Studies have shown that alcohol can alter how well your body absorbs protein, a substance that is essential for healthy hair. Heavy drinking can also cause the release of higher levels of cortisol—and we know all too well how stress affects our hair!

The research on alcohol and hair loss, however, is scant and largely tangential, pointing out that alcohol doesn’t directly cause hair loss but instead has an impact on your body, which can then affect your hair.

Can Drinking Alcohol Cause Hair Thinning?

It is much the same story with hair thinning (a decrease in the diameter of individual hair strands), which may or may not cause hair loss. Alcohol primarily has an adverse effect on your skin, and research has shown that alcohol (especially sugary drinks) can cause inflammation of your skin, including your scalp, suggesting a connection between alcohol and hair thinning. Alcohol can cause inflammation because it contains sugar, which can spike insulin levels, which are spikes in hormones. Changes in hormone levels have an impact on inflammation. If you already deal with scalp-related issues such as inflammation you’re likely prone to alcohol causing inflammation that can damage hair follicles, which can weaken your hair and cause breakage as well as lead to some thinning.

In addition to the already-occurring dehydration caused by alcohol, this inflammation can also result in scalp dryness, redness, itching, and other side effects. Cutting back on the alcohol is the first line of defense, even though you can combat some of these side effects with calming and hydrating products.

What Happens to Your Hair When You Stop Drinking Alcohol?

Fortunately, none of the harmful consequences of alcohol consumption that we have previously discussed should last forever. That means if you choose to stop drinking, you should see an improvement in your overall health and well-being. If your hair has become brittle and damaged, treat it to some caring products that’ll bring it back to life.

Does Drinking Alcohol Make Your Hair Dry?

Alcohol and dry scalp, which results in dry hair, are two of the biggest problems with drinking when it comes to your hair. Alcohol dehydrates your entire body, including your scalp and hair follicles, which need water to produce healthy hair. Your entire system will become dehydrated because the ethanol in what you’re drinking acts as a diuretic. Drinking can dehydrate your hair and skin in addition to making you thirsty and likely giving you a headache from dehydration. Drinking in excess (and frequently) will keep your scalp and hair dried out, which is hard to counteract efficiently. As long as you keep drinking, the alcohol will continue to dehydrate your hair. Additionally, dry hair is fragile and vulnerable to harm.

With a repairing shampoo and conditioner, which are made to give even the most damaged hair a second chance at moisture-rich, glossy, healthy-looking strands, you can help increase the moisture in your hair.

Does Drinking Alcohol Make Your Hair Greasy?

Quite the opposite—alcohol will dry your hair out. Unless alcohol is having an adverse effect on other aspects of your life, it probably won’t make it greasy. For example, not washing your hair properly (or with the right frequency) and some dietary choices can lead to greasy hair. If you’re drinking in excess and eating a bunch of junk food and not washing your hair, chances are you’ll see greasy strands. However, it’s possible that your scalp overcompensates for having a dry scalp and hair by producing more oil, which results in oilier hair. In these circumstances, a scalp cleanser like our New Dawn Activated Charcoal Scalp Cleanser is a great choice for absorbing extra oils and rebalancing a dry scalp. The consumption of alcohol is not directly related to either of these factors, though.

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Better Not Younger is aware that the best approach to hair health is a holistic one, which entails putting an emphasis on hair, scalp, and inner health. Our collection of shampoos, conditioners, serums and supplements are specially formulated for the needs of mature hair, including issues related to alcohol and a dry scalp, inflammation and breakage, to help keep your tresses moisturized and looking strong and healthy.

How to Treat and Prevent Hair Loss

Almost all types of hair loss, from temporary hair loss to male pattern baldness, can be prevented or treated with the proper strategy.

Here’s what you can do to protect your hair from damage and maintain healthy, sustainable hair growth as you get older.

Limit Your Alcohol Consumption

Reduced alcohol consumption is one of the best things you can do if you’re concerned that your drinking is having a negative impact on your health.

It’s okay to drink occasionally. Try to follow the CDC’s recommendation of no more than two alcoholic beverages (up to one drink is recommended for women) per day.

This enables you to enjoy alcohol without suffering the negative health effects of binge drinking.

Regardless of hair loss or thinning, you should consult a healthcare professional if you believe you have an alcohol use disorder.

If you have trouble controlling your drinking, they might advise quitting alcohol altogether.

Use Medication to Protect Your Hairline

If you’re starting to develop a receding hairline or other signs of male pattern baldness, you can stop your hair loss from worsening by using medication.

Two drugs to treat male hair loss have received FDA approval. The first, finasteride, works by stopping your body from converting testosterone to DHT.

The second, minoxidil, works at the scalp level by advancing hair follicles into the growth phase of the hair growth cycle and enhancing blood circulation.

Science demonstrates that finasteride and minoxidil are effective, particularly when used together.

In one study, a team of researchers found that 94.1 percent of men with hair loss who used both medications showed improvements in hair growth over the course of 12 months.

Finasteride and minoxidil are both hair loss treatments that can be found online and are combined in the Hims Hair Power Pack.

Use a Hair Loss Shampoo

Hims Hair Thickening Shampoo and other anti-hair loss shampoos are designed to target DHT at the scalp and encourage the growth of thick, healthy hair.

A hair loss shampoo can assist in reducing shedding to maintain your hairline when used in conjunction with drugs like minoxidil and finasteride.

Search for active components that may help to reduce DHT activity at the scalp, such as ketoconazole and saw palmetto.

Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet

Many vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, including many that are present in typical foods and cooking ingredients, are crucial for the growth of your hair.

Eat a balanced diet that includes lots of fresh fruits, leafy greens, lean protein sources, and other nutrient-rich foods to encourage healthy hair growth.

The best foods to eat for hair growth are listed below, along with suggested diet additions for each item.

Taking vitamin supplements is an additional choice. These Biotin Gummy Vitamins are formulated with a range of essential vitamins for optimal hair growth, including biotin, vitamin C and more.

Summary

Alcohol abuse can harm the hair if it is done frequently. Losing vital nutrients from dehydration and consuming empty calories can lead to hair damage, hair thinning, and baldness.

One can prevent using harmful types of alcohol on their hair by being aware of the types of alcohol that are present in their hair care products.

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