Are alcohol and hair loss related? It’s a common question with a straightforward answer. In general, it is a myth that alcohol consumption causes your hair to fall out. Nevertheless, excessive alcohol consumption may cause serious long-term harm to the liver, nervous system, heart, stomach, and brain.
But why do so many men and women believe alcohol will cause hair loss? In this article, we address the myth that alcohol makes your hair fall out while exploring other ways drinking may hurt the health of the body.
Addressing the Myth of Alcohol and Hair Loss
Excessive amounts of alcohol is not healthy for the body. However, it is an overstatement to say, “Drinking alcohol causes hair loss.” There are many variables that contribute to thinning, shedding, and balding. Alcohol consumption alone is unlikely to be the reason a man or woman experiences hair loss, especially pattern baldness.
However, there are many ways that alcohol adversely affects the body and thus may contribute to weaker or thinner hair. They include the following:
Dehydration. Alcohol consumption lowers the natural level of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) in the body. Naturally, ADH helps the body regulate hydration. As it tails off, the sensation to urinate develops, and the body starts expelling liquid.
Mineral Depletion. In addition to dehydrating the body, alcohol is known to lower the amount of important minerals in the body. Zinc and biotin are among the two most important to know, since both are important in the growth of naturally healthy hair.
Vitamin Depletion. Alcohol consumption is also linked with a decrease in vitamin levels, specifically C and A. Both vitamins play a key role in keeping the body healthy, so hair health can suffer when these vitamin stores are depleted.
Estrogen Production. Drinking alcohol is known to increase the production of estrogen. In both men and women, increased estrogen production can lead to hormonally-induced hair loss.
Stress. Indirectly, the stress caused by alcoholism, alcohol-induced accidents, and other related events might cause stress-related hair loss known as telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium is a condition characterized by the early entrance of hair into the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle. During telogen phase, the hair follicle becomes dormant and new hair ceases to grow. Unlike other forms of hair loss, telogen effluvium is often temporary.
Treat Hair Loss at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami
To learn more about personalized hair loss diagnosis and treatment, contact the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami online or call our clinic directly at 305-925-0222.