What happens when you stop drinking?

Women’s Health magazine asked Dr Ross Perry to explain what happens to your body, mind and skin when you stop drinking alcohol.

As well as being founder of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, Dr Ross Perry is a GP and highly experienced skin expert and GP. He often provides expert advice for the media.

Dr Perry explained that there are at least 5 specific health benefits that women can expect if they are able to quit alcohol.

1/  Rebalancing

Women’s Health explains that alcohol consumption affects the neurotransmitters, which can make you feel unsettled and out of sorts.

Dr Perry continues:

“It can take up to 72 hours before you’re back to normal, mentally and physically, after a heavy session. Cutting back will help rebalance your mental health and your sleep will improve – allowing you to think more clearly.”

2/ Organs

Dr Perry explains how the liver can benefit when you stop drinking:

“After 4 weeks sober, liver fat reduces by up to 15%, increasing its ability to flush out toxins. And after several months, liver cells can return to normal.”

In addition:

“Once you stop drinking you’ll see a noticeable difference in your energy levels. Dark circles will lessen under the eye area and the dull headaches should also go.”

3/ Brain cells

While it’s a myth that heavy drinking kills your brain cells, there is a negative impact:

“Too much alcohol can interfere with neurogenesis, which is your body’s ability to make new brain cells. Even moderate drinking can lead to shrinking in the hippocampus, the area of the brain associated with memory and reason.”

The good news is that this begins to reverse after a few weeks sober.

4/ Fat reduction

Alcohol is calorific and any energy that is surplus to requirements will be stored as fat. So stopping drinking can help you to lose weight. In addition, alcohol tends to make you eat more.

Dr Ross Perry explains:

“When you’ve been drinking alcohol regularly, an increase in ghrelin – the hormone that makes you feel hungry – often leads to bingeing on less nutritious foods.”

5/ Performance

Dr Perry says that alcohol causes the body to be dehydrated and can impair performance, increasing the likelihood of cramps:

“You need to be well hydrated when you exercise to maintain blood flow, which is essential for carrying oxygen and nutrients to your muscles.”

Expert advice on laser hair removal

Dr Ross Perry

Dr Ross Perry regularly provides expert comment and advises the media on a range of skincare and health-related issues.

He is highly experienced in non-surgical cosmetic and medical treatments such as BOTOX® and dermal fillers, where he has a reputation for excellent results that look entirely natural.

He has particular repute in skin surgery mole removal and melanoma; having carried out thousands of procedures in his career, both within the NHS and privately through Cosmedics Skin Clinics.

DR ROSS PERRY

SKIN CONDITIONS

Cosmedics Skin Clinics

Cosmedics Skin Clinics was established in 2003 and has built up an excellent reputation for cosmetic and medical skin treatments, carried out by GMC Registered Doctors and Surgeons.  The company offer a full range of cosmetic treatments, including popular lip enhancement and wrinkle relaxing injections, dermal fillers; plus medical treatments including mole removal, thread vein treatment and excessive sweating injections. They also offer treatment for medical conditions including haemorrhoids and carpal tunnel.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics has a team of skin treatment doctors and surgeons in their 5 skin clinics across London and Bristol led by Dr Ross Perry.

Call 020 7386 0464 or email enquiries@cosmedics.co.uk to book an appointment.