Can Alcohol Lead to Hair Loss?
Skin ConditionsAlopecia

Can Alcohol Lead to Hair Loss?

Can Alcohol Lead to Hair Loss?
Everyday Health
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Published on October 30, 2025
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Note: While research on alcohol is evolving, the World Health Organization says drinking less or not at all is better for your health.

If you’ve noticed your hair thinning or that you’re losing hair more rapidly, you may be wondering whether your alcohol consumption is to blame. After all, alcohol is tied to a wide range of health issues, from liver disease to nutrient deficiencies and cardiovascular conditions — more than 200 health conditions in all.

 Could it also be contributing to your hair loss?
The short answer: Alcohol itself isn’t a direct, proven cause of hair loss. But excessive drinking may contribute to factors that negatively affect hair health, such as nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, hormonal disturbances, and immune system impairment.

“There’s no direct causal relationship that’s been defined. What we see instead is a suggested link, especially with androgenic alopecia, or pattern hair loss. And it may depend on the type and amount of alcohol consumed,” says Chris Adigun, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Here’s a closer look at what the science says if you’re worried about the potential role of alcohol in your hair health.

Alcohol and Hair Loss: What the Science Shows

Currently, there’s no strong evidence that alcohol directly causes hair loss. But researchers have studied how drinking causes ripple effects on overall health, including indirectly influencing hair loss.

One research review that included 17 studies and more than 61,000 participants — mostly women — found that consuming higher amounts of sugary drinks and alcohol was linked to more hair shedding. The researchers even suggest that limiting alcohol may be beneficial in supporting hair health, though further research is needed to confirm the findings.

The research review isn’t able to determine the two are linked, but some clear factors are at play, says Julia Zumpano, RD, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic’s Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute in Ohio.

“One probable cause could be the role these beverages play in the gut microbiome and nutrient absorption,” Zumpano says.

Excessive drinkers may also eat less nutrient-dense foods and may be deficient in nutrients crucial to hair health, such as vitamin D, iron, protein, and B12, she says. Chronic nutrient deficiency can weaken the hair’s structure and cause thinning.

Both theories are backed by research. It’s been established that chronic alcohol use is tied to malnutrition via alcohol’s effects on the small intestine’s ability to absorb key nutrients.

Genetics are another key factor, according to research. One study that looked at more than 1,100 men who were diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia found that regular drinkers had a 61 percent increased risk that their pattern hair loss would advance to moderate or severe stages.

In this case, the researchers said doctors should consider counselling patients with a genetic predisposition to hair loss to steer away from alcohol as a preventive measure.

And then there’s the stress on the body that alcohol may cause, Dr. Adigun says. Excessive drinking can disrupt sleep, trigger dehydration, and weaken the immune system, all of which can indirectly affect hair health.

Should You Drink if You Have Hair Loss?

If you’re already dealing with hair thinning or shedding, do you need to stop drinking altogether? The answer depends on how much you drink and your overall health.

Based on the research, if you’re genetically predisposed to hair loss, Adigun suggests limiting alcohol consumption to avoid accelerating the process. “If someone has a family history of androgenic alopecia, for example, adding alcohol as another risk factor is inadvisable if they want to keep their hair,” she says.

But for most adults, moderate drinking — up to one drink per day for women and two for men, according to U.S. dietary guidelines — is unlikely to directly trigger hair loss, Adigun says.

If you drink excessively, cutting back may support your hair health indirectly by lessening the negative impact on your sleep, immune system, and your ability to absorb nutrients.

The term “excessive drinking" typically refers to binge drinking or heavy drinking. Binge drinking consists of consuming multiple drinks on a single occasion — 4 or more for women, 5 or more for men. Heavy drinking is defined as consuming 8 or more drinks per week for women, or 15 or more for men.

Your best bet is to meet with a dermatologist, who can help sort out the underlying causes of your hair loss — whether they’re genetic, hormonal, nutritional, or related to other health conditions. A dermatologist can run tests, identify the type of hair loss, and create a treatment approach that may combine medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes.

“Hair loss doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it’s complex. Alcohol is one piece of the puzzle, but we also need to look at genetics, lifestyle, and other contributing factors,” Adigun says.

Does Alcohol Interact With Hair Loss Medications?

If you’re taking medication for hair loss, you may wonder whether alcohol is safe. Some hair regrowth treatments don’t interact with alcohol, but others may increase your risk of side effects when combined with drinking.

Always ask your doctor or pharmacist before combining the two.

Here’s a look at some common treatments for hair loss and their potential interactions.

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Topical application of minoxidil has no known alcohol interactions, but oral minoxidil may increase the risk of severe hangovers in people who are drinking heavily while taking the medication.

Finasteride (Propecia)

There are no major interactions with alcohol while taking this medication.

Spironolactone (Aldactone)

This medication is used off-label for female pattern hair loss. While taking it, women should stick within recommended guidelines for daily alcohol consumption — one drink per day or less. Alcohol can make some people feel dizzy or sleepy. If this happens to you, try not to drink alcohol while taking spironolactone.

Adigun also reminds people who are already exploring hair restoration options, such as topical and oral medications or injections, to try not to undermine their progress by drinking.

“If you’re doing treatments like minoxidil or [platelet-rich plasma injections] and at the same time, [you’re] drinking moderately or heavily, you’re adding a risk factor that we know increases [hair loss] severity,” she says. “Why continue a habit that worsens the condition you’re trying to treat?”

The Takeaway

  • Alcohol hasn’t been proven to directly cause hair loss, but excessive drinking can worsen hair shedding indirectly by disrupting sleep, hydration, and nutrient absorption — all of which can affect hair health.
  • Genetics play a key role in pattern baldness — and if you’re predisposed to androgenic alopecia, research suggests that alcohol may accelerate the process.
  • If you’re treating hair loss with medications or procedures, cutting back on alcohol can help you get the best results and avoid undermining your progress. Work with a dermatologist to understand what may be causing your hair loss.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Medical Complications: Common Alcohol-Related Concerns. National Institutes of Health. May 9, 2025.
  2. Gomes N et al. Assessing the Relationship Between Dietary Factors and Hair Health: A Systematic Review. Nutrition and Health. August 21, 2025.
  3. Dermatologist for Hair Loss. UNT Health Fort Worth.
  4. Butts M et al. The Influence of Alcohol Consumption on Intestinal Nutrient Absorption: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients. March 24, 2023.
  5. Zhang J et al. The Association Between Alcohol Consumption and the Severity of Male Androgenic Alopecia in Chinese Participants: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. January 2025.
  6. Marshall D. Alcohol and Sleep: The Truth Behind Your Nightcap. National Academy of Sports Medicine.
  7. About Moderate Alcohol Use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 14, 2025.
  8. Alcohol Use and Your Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 14, 2025.
  9. Hair Loss Medication: A Comprehensive Guide for Older Adults. National Council on Aging. April 29, 2025.
  10. Minoxidil Topical Solution or Foam. Cleveland Clinic.
  11. Törőcsik D et al. Hairy Drinking May Cause Severe Hangover Symptoms in Patients Taking Low-Dose Minoxidil. International Journal of Dermatology. June 9, 2024.
  12. Common Questions About Finasteride. NHS. August 2, 2023.
  13. Burns LJ et al. Spironolactone for Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. July 2020.
  14. Common questions about spironolactone. NHS. July 2022.
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Oyetewa Asempa, MD, FAAD

Medical Reviewer

Dr. Oyetewa Asempa is an assistant professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine, and the director of the Skin of Color Clinic for Baylor's department of dermatology. She was born and raised in Atlanta and then went on to graduate summa cum laude from Howard University in Washington, DC.

She completed her medical training at University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, during which time she also completed a year of research at the National Institutes of Health. She completed her internship at George Washington University, and then her residency training at the Harvard dermatology program, where she served as chief resident in her final year.

She specializes in hair loss and scalp disorders, as well as pigmentary disorders in patients of color. She has spoken at multiple national conferences. Outside of medicine, she enjoys writing short stories, as well as writing and performing spoken word poetry.

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Carmen Chai

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Carmen Chai is a Canadian journalist and award-winning health reporter. Her interests include emerging medical research, exercise, nutrition, mental health, and maternal and pediatric health. She has covered global healthcare issues, including outbreaks of the Ebola and Zika viruses, anti-vaccination movements, and chronic diseases like obesity and Alzheimer’s.

Chai was a national health reporter at Global News in Toronto for 5 years, where she won multiple awards, including the Canadian Medical Association award for health reporting. Her work has also appeared in the Toronto Star, Vancouver Province, and the National Post. She received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto.

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