December 14, 2020

Alcohol-Bloated Face? Well…that was before sobriety…this is now me after!

gettting rid of an alcohol-puffy face

Alcohol does serious damage to your health, both mental and physical – there is no question about that.

A quick Google search, or indeed a look around this very website will tell you of the damage that alcohol does to your body and mind.

Here, we are going to look at one specific damage that alcohol does to you – it bloats you, both in feeling and in the way you look.

The difference between an alcohol-puffy face before and after – even days, without drinking, can be telling…

Let’s talk about –

Alcohol Bloating – Quit Drinking And Lose that Alcohol Face Bloat

CONTENTS

    Alcohol bloating is a very common side effect of drinking alcohol to excess. Have you ever had that bloated, uncomfortably full feeling after drinking alcohol? If so, you’re not alone.

    Bloating is a very common side effect to drinking too much alcohol. In fact, it’s one of the most frequent complaints people have after drinking.

    While bloating alone may not be as dangerous as some of the other risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption, it can still be quite uncomfortable and be a telling sign of other health problems.

    One of the biggest causes of bloating is consuming too much alcohol. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology found that 40% of Americans who drink alcohol are considered to be “regular” drinkers, meaning that they consume more than four drinks per week.

    That is some severe alcohol bloating going on all over the world, or wherever they are drinking anway – so pretty much everywhere. Also known as the “estrogen effect,” bloating is a common side effect of consuming alcohol.

    It can cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which can lead to headaches, nausea, and other uncomfortable symptoms.

    Facial Alcohol Bloating – How To Spot An ‘Alcoholic Face’

    It is common knowledge that alcohol puts weight on people, and often this can be hidden away or simply written off as ‘putting on weight’. But with an alcohol-puffy face, before and after a period of drinking is just different and more obvious really.

    alcohol can literally destroy your face
    credit – RSFPLIVE.ie

    For many who drink to excess, it can often be just seen as ‘what they look like’, and have accepted the obvious signs of alcohol damage many years ago.

    Whilst trying to hide our levels of drinking from the outside world, in hindsight I think that it was quite obvious that those who do drink to excess ‘like a drink’

    We doubt that anyone knew to what extent that I drunk, but I looked very much like a drinker – as some say, the ‘face of an alcoholic‘.

    Whether or not I agree with or like the term ‘alcoholic’ is quite irrelevant. This is what is a common phrase, and this is what I would be referred to looking all bloated.
    When I was drinking to excess -I definitely experienced a ‘bloated alcohol face’.

    I worked in an environment where high alcohol intake was acceptable, normalised and often encouraged. And the ‘alcohol bloated face’ was very evident.

    Unless I get a job where wearing a balaclava was an option, then there was no way of getting away from the fact really. But as I say, alcohol was a common drug that people used for whatever their end of the night thing that they needed.

    During my own sobriety journey, however, I thought I would take some, just to see if there was any actual physical difference. I joined some ‘secret’ Facebook groups for feedback and was stunned at the positive responses and supportive messages, all commenting on how my alcohol-bloated face had reduced so much in such a short space of time.

    When I first decided to stop drinking, I thought it would be interesting to actually see the difference that an alcohol-bloated face made. I am really not one for taking pictures of myself, and certainly not in a self-conscious state of what alcohol has left me like with years of abuse.

    OK you can look rough and have a puffy alcohol face after a night, but more often than not it quickly goes away. A few nights sleep and you are looking and feeling back to normal. This is for the drinker who drinks on occasion.

    But for the regular drinker, it builds up and then becomes part of what you look like. An alcohol-bloated face is not uncommon in anyone who drinks regularly. Those wear and tear signs on your face is evident.

    What is meant by the term ‘alcohol puffy Face’?

    If you drink regularly or are even an occasional drinker, you may notice your face is bloated and also a flush complexion. The cause of puffiness around the face is due to all of that alcohol dehydrates you.

    As your body loses water, its natural defense kicks in and tries to retain as much water as it can, which in turn creates a bloated alcohol face.

    Or ‘alcohol face bloat’ as it is sometimes referred to.

    A puffy face from alcohol can indeed be the product of one night of drinking, but the alcohol swelling usually increases as the drinking carries on.
    While alcohol can cause this bloated puffy face, it can also be common to experience a bloated stomach due to water retention and overall dehydration.

    Alcohol face bloat varies in how long it lasts, and obviously, consumption and lifestyle will play a part. The puffiness can last anything from a few days to months or longer, again depending on the length and amount of drink guzzled.

    What can I do to get rid of my bloated face from alcohol?

    The good news is that by reducing or stopping your alcohol intake, the puffy alcohol face WILL GO DOWN!!

    The questions about how long or to what degree, they are whole other questions and depend a lot on different aspects such as levels of drinking or period of time etc, general health, lots of variables.

    Look her at some amazing ‘alcohol puffy face’ before and after changes.

    To you all, thank you for allowing us to share your journey and changes. Inspirational….as you will see!

    changing faces without alcohol bloating
    Nioni – 17 days alcohol free!
    Here you can see just how much her bloating has reduced in just over 2 week

    Five ways to get rid of that bloated alcohol face.

    Reducing alcohol bloating around your face (and the rest of your body)

    In order to get rid of the bloating that comes with alcohol (sooner to some than others), there are some things that we can use to combat a bloated face from the dreaded drink.

    METHODS OF REDUCING BLOATING CAUSED BY ALCOHOL

    • Be aware of salt intake – salt encourages fluid retention
    • Rest
    • Avoid drinking anything carbonated, which will reduce internal gas
    • DON’T DRINK ALCOHOL – what can we say on this one?
    • Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Alcohol can dehydrate your body, leading to bloating. Drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins and reduce puffiness.
    • Have some herbal tea: Sip on soothing herbal teas like peppermint or chamomile. They can aid in digestion and have anti-inflammatory properties.
    • Eat light and healthy: Opt for a nutritious meal with lots of veg and lean proteins. Avoid salty or processed foods that may worsen puffiness.
    • Gentle facial massage: Gently massage your face with upward strokes to promote lymphatic drainage and reduce swelling.
    • Cold compress: Apply a cold cloth or chilled cucumber slices to your face to bring down inflammation and refresh your skin.
    • Get moving: Engage in some light exercise or go for a walk. Physical activity can help reduce bloating and promote circulation.
    • Avoid alcohol and carbonated drinks: Steer clear of alcohol and bubbly beverages for a while to give your body time to recover.
    • Sleep it off: Make sure to get enough rest as sleep can work wonders for your body’s recovery process.
    • Limit your alcohol intake: If you do decide to indulge, try to drink in moderation to minimize the after-effects.
    • Keep your skincare simple: Avoid harsh products and stick to a gentle skincare routine to avoid further irritation.

    Remember, everyone’s body is different, so be patient and kind to yourself.

    These tips should help you feel better, but if the puffiness persists or you have any health concerns, do not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional.

    Alcohol Face Transformations

    Some alcohol ‘puffy face’ before and after pictures

    This section of this her blog post was my total inspiration to write about drinking and the effects it can have on your looks. I do not see this as in any way vanity, but I remember during my own journey and seeing so many people change – physically change when they decide to stop drinking.

    Of course, there are many, many health benefits to becoming teetotal, but the visual ones just are more obvious, and just strike you more.

    Take a look here at some of the amazing alcohol-free transformations and see for yourself.

    Truly Inspirational changes. Thanks for letting me share here, and congratulations to all here!

    Simon's alcohol face bloat had gone in 4 months
    Simon – 4 months Alcohol-Free

    I went to a few social media groups to ask if they would be happy to share some of their before and after alcohol abuse pictures. You can take a look yourself and I am sure that you will agree, the results truly are amazing.

    Remove alcohol intake from their lives – and an alcoholic stops drinking – they look far healthier and happier, and often unrecognisable. You can literally see them before and after quitting drinking – their face changes before and after they removed booze from their lives!

    Actually seeing the effects that stopping drinking alcohol can have on your appearance can be mind-blowing. We all know that alcohol is a poison for your body, and we all feel a little bit rougher after a day or night of drinking.

    And, we all feel a bit fresher if we wake up hang-over free. But the years of alcohol abuse take it’s toll on your physical appearance and can age your looks considerably. That ‘alcohol bloated face’ slowly creeps up on you. I say ‘slowly’ because it certainly does not happen overnight.

    Anne Marie, 199 days sober
    Anne-Marie -199 days sober ( no filters )

    If you take a look in any of the bars in your town, not the bars where the younger generation hang out for their crazy nights out – but more in the standard ‘drinker’s bars’. We all have them in our towns, you know the ones I mean. The ones where men and women are regulars at the pub, day in/day out. Or if they don’t hang around in those sorts of bars – the heavy drinkers who do it as part of their daily or weekly routine.

    With high alcohol intake, the same sort of puffy face is evident, the same tired look around their eyes and mouth. These are the long-term signs of alcohol abuse.

    Having a bloated face due to alcohol is difficult to hide really, especially with long-term drinking.

    When I was drinking heavily, as I said, I felt that I was hiding it pretty well to colleagues…or maybe they really did not care. It was not until I saw the changes myself that it actually hit home just how much alcohol was affecting me.

    such a difference alcohol-free has made to Jamie's appearance
    Jamie – day one – day 30 then day 90 Alcohol free
    50 days and bloated face gone
    Michelle Day 1 – and then day 50 without drinking
    after one year, Shauna's alcohol bloat face has completely gone
    Shauna – “The right is about 1 year sober. The crazy part is that it’s only like a 6 lb. weight loss.”

    What amazes me with some of these fantastic before and after success stories is often the lack of actual weight loss. When they were consuming alcohol, the bloated puffy face was evident, it certainly was with me. I always had in my mind that if I lost weight then this would not happen, as there would be nothing to ‘puff out'(???!!).

    Difference before and after of Jenny's face minus alcohol - fantastic!
    Jenny – Before and after giving up alcohol!
    19 days’ difference and 5 kilos lighter (I’ve cut the crap food and sugar too!).
    Feeling fantastic

    As you can see, the difference that alcohol can make on your physical image can be damaging, but removing alcohol from your system can be amazing. it is evident that alcohol face bloating has been dramatically reduced in all of the pictures.

    Sarah - day one and then 3 months without alcohol - changes in face are amazing
    Sarah – This was my day one and then three months 

    High alcohol consumption ages you, there is no doubt about that.  Remove it and…well… you can see the benefits.  Live a healthy lifestyle and your alcohol face bloat will fade away. Keep at it and you will see some fantastic changes (and get some amazing compliments)

    Ps, thank you all for letting me share your pictures. I am sure it will help motivate many other people on their paths to sobriety 🙂

    FAQs

    Why does alcohol cause facial bloating?

    Alcohol can cause facial bloating due to its dehydrating effects. When you consume alcohol, it dehydrates your body, leading to water retention in the face and causing puffiness.

    How does alcohol affect my skin?

    Alcohol can be detrimental to your skin in multiple ways. It dehydrates the skin, disrupts the natural pH balance, and can exacerbate skin conditions like acne and rosacea, leading to inflammation and redness.

    Can cutting back on alcohol reduce facial bloating?

    Yes, reducing alcohol consumption can significantly reduce facial bloating. When you drink less, your body has a chance to rehydrate, and the puffiness in your face is likely to subside.

    What other lifestyle changes can help reduce facial bloating?

    Maintaining a healthy diet with minimal sodium intake, staying well-hydrated, and getting regular exercise can help reduce overall bloating, including facial puffiness.

    Are there any specific foods or beverages that can help reduce facial bloating?

    Yes, certain foods and beverages can have a diuretic effect, helping to reduce water retention. Examples include cucumber, watermelon, green tea, and herbal teas like dandelion or ginger tea.

    How long does it take for facial bloating to go away after cutting back on alcohol?

    The timeline can vary from person to person, but many people notice a reduction in facial bloating within a few days to a week after cutting back on alcohol and hydrating properly.

    Are there any skincare products that can help with facial bloating?

    Some skincare products containing anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, or niacinamide can help soothe and reduce puffiness in the face.

    Is alcohol the only cause of facial bloating?

    No, facial bloating can be caused by various factors, including high-sodium diets, hormonal changes, allergies, and lack of sleep. It’s essential to identify the specific cause in your case.

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