I used to drink 2–3 glasses of whiskey per week, and now I drink 2–3 glasses every day. There were also days I drank more than that. I can count on one hand the days I did not drink during this war.
Have you noticed changes in your facial skin?
“I noticed my skin looks duller and more tired, less fresh.”
And does that reduce your desire to drink?
“Right now, my need to calm my mind outweighs the concern about skin damage.”
Many people are not alone. The sudden war introduced stress and anxiety in amounts we had never known. As a result, many women found themselves increasing alcohol consumption drastically. Some even report drinking daily to cope.
“I love drinking wine. If I used to drink three glasses a week at most, now I put my baby to sleep, sit in front of the TV trying not to watch the news, but a series or a movie and drink three glasses every evening. I feel my skin is much drier, and I have more dark circles under my eyes since I started drinking.”
Does that not discourage you?
“For now, alcohol helps me blur reality and take things a little less hard. I am sure after the war, I will return to drinking only on weekends.”
In another case, a 30-year-old bank finance officer reports the same: “Before the war, I did not keep alcohol at home. Now it is constant. I drink something different each time, sometimes whiskey, sometimes beer.”
Have you thought about the damage it does to your skin?
“Honestly, I haven’t thought about it at all. Right now, my need to relax outweighs everything. After the war, I suppose I will deal with the consequences.”
“The toxins in alcohol cause damage to skin cells.”
“The war affects our healthy lifestyle habits,” says a dermatology specialist. “Many people consume more junk food, smoke more, drink more alcohol, and exercise less and all of this affects the skin.”
How soon should one see the effects on the skin?
“It is not very fast. To see a real effect, it takes a few months, but if someone does not reduce consumption, they will gradually see the damage.”
What kind of damage is caused by increased alcohol consumption?
“Increased consumption interferes with liver waste elimination, and liver damage makes the skin appear grayish-yellow. The body tries to neutralize toxins, producing free radicals molecules that harm the skin and cause premature aging. In the short term, changes are not always visible, the skin just looks more tired, but in the long term, if this continues, it may worsen acne, pigmentation, or lead to skin cancer.”
“Alcohol is a poison,” adds a cosmetician. “If consumed frequently, it has a destructive effect on the body. People who drink a lot may develop facial redness and swelling due to fluid accumulation.”
What causes the redness?
“Alcohol generates heat that expands blood vessels, which are responsible for transporting oxygen, vitamins, minerals everything needed for proper function. When blood vessels expand, capillaries break, creating ‘couperose.’ Heavy drinking also dries the skin, and impaired function leads to wrinkles. If untreated, skin aging may accelerate.”
At what stage is the damage reversible?
“It depends on age and other factors. If, for example, dryness is treated and skin is balanced, some repair is possible. Some damage is irreversible cells destroyed by toxins cannot be restored, but with vitamins, water, vegetables, and proper skincare, part of the damage can be repaired and the skin may look better.”
Are some types of alcohol less harmful, or do they all cause the same damage?
“Some studies show one glass of red wine a day is healthy, but opinions vary. It is important to know the differences: cocktails have lots of sugar, which increases toxins. Whiskey and vodka also have sugars with negative effects. It is better to choose a drink that can be diluted with soda or tonic. Of course, the best approach is not to drink every day and reduce consumption as much as possible.”