Possible to turn around haggard, bloated , grey look after giving up alcohol

[doodlingdora]

I am nearly 50.
I've given up alcohol only very recently.
I look at my face and see an old , haggard and tired lady who can sometimes look bloated.
I did drink 5 bottles of wine per week.
I want to know if it's unreasonable to expect my face to look better after a time
Of giving up alcohol.? And how long does it take if at all ?
My eyes look so tired. They're hooded anyway.
Deep lines from nose to mouth.
Creepy loose skin in my neck.
I have a hydro facial booked for next week for a
Kick start.
What can I do to change it and is it actually even possible?
I'm also two stone over weight but have cut out saturated fat due to fatty liver , completely. I'm going to start a thread in weight loss forum for those who need to give up fat for medical reasons .
I already have four pounds down in a week .
Please advise

Yes! Yes! Yes!

You will look better.
It did take longer than I anticipated, and I was drinking a similar amount to you, but I got to around 3 months and had a start when I looked in the mirror one day.
My skin was glowing and pink, rather than puffy and grey, my eyes sparkled, my hair was shiny. It was amazing.
Wrinkle wise, unfortunately losing the alcohol weight at nearly 50 has meant a few more wrinkles. I still look mikes better than the bloated grey lump I was before though so I’m very happy to be thin but wrinkly, and very happy to be AF.

Benefit Porefessional is amazing, it’s like polyfilla for the face. Expensive but worth it.
Twice weekly retinol makes me feel like I’m doing something to prevent further wrinkles.
Factor 50 face protector to prevent further wrinkles from sun damage.

Well done you!!! Have you thought about a personal trainer? I felt old haggard overweight depressed ( no significant alcohol problem though) signed up with a personal trainer and its done wonders for me . Not lost much weight yet but my mental health has improved enormously . I'm even starting swimming next week, haven't been for years.

I had to force myself off my backside but glad I did!!

No. I'm not in that zone yet. No interest in exercise bar a few walks per week. I'm going g to concentrate on alcohol, seriously reduced fat intake to start at least but well done to you!!!

You already look better. I'm sure of it... you probably just didn't notice because it is still quite subtle and the change gradual.
You'll look better still if you keep up the alcohol free-ness, healthy eating and exercise.
Drink plenty of water .. it reduces bloatedness.

Well done on becoming dry; that's a huge achievement.

Hiya. Best thing you can do is drink a lot of water. It will hydrate your skin, stop you getting like you "need a drink" and it will help clear the crap out of your body.

However, as a PP said, it takes time. The damage alcohol did wasn't done overnight and repairing it won't be overnight either. Sleep improvements will help. You should notice the change in your eyes first. I'd take a photo now as the changes will be so slow and subtle that your won't be sure anything has happened.

Again, as per PP, wear sunscreen. Also really well done quitting. I stopped a while ago as it has its claws in and hangovers on two drinks were brutal at times. I can't honestly say I look better, because I didn't take a before picture, but I know I do. It's been 7 years, but I'm getting old, (late 50s) so my reflection doesn't cheer me up, but I know that were I still drinking, then I'd look a hell of a lot worse.

How it going OP?

Yes!!!

Drink lots of water.

Eat lots of vitamin C fruit.

Exfoliate your face with a pineapple enzyme gash wash (Huda Beauty)

Use Kiehls wrinkle minimising serum

SpF SPF SPF

Drink more water.

Auto fail disaster. I mean a FACE wash, obvs 😳😳😳😳😳

Amazing auto correct disaster

Your skin will look more hydrated which should improve the look of fine lines.
Your complexion may become more even toned.
Dark circles under your eyes should reduce as your kidneys and liver detox.
Your eyes will loom less tired as you get better sleep quality.
Weight loss may help with jowells and any chin fat that might be contributing to a bottom heavy look.
Your over all appearance will ge younger when you are lighter, less bloated and have more energy.
Your deep expression lines snd sagging will NOT improve. In fact weight loss at 50 may make them worse. They are caused by gravity and lost elasticity and nothing but procedures will address them. Skilled use of fillers and possibly thread lifting would do the job though.

@Sunscummailfail gash wash 🤣

So embarrassed.

@Sunscummailfail

Nearly wet myself in bed at gash wash!! Haha!

And I agree with pp it takes around 3 months. I've given up alcohol as preg and I'm nearly at the 3 month mark and my skin is a million times clearer and younger looking than it was!!!

Pineapple enzyme gash wash. Gwyneth Paltrow would be all over that!

Loving "gash wash"!

I'm sure your skin will improve massively now you're off the sauce, OP, but it will be gradual thing.

You could put the money you used to spend on wine in a savings account, and if you don't seem as much improvement as you hoped for, you could have some pretty serious treatments or a even a facelift.

I'm also two stone over weight but have cut out saturated fat due to fatty liver , completely. I'm going to start a thread in weight loss forum for those who need to give up fat for medical reasons .

You will not help your face by severe lowfat dieting. Fatty liver is caused by various factors in the diet, but often excess sugars are involved, and in your case alcohol also. Losing weight in a slow and sensible manner, with good fats (eg olive oil, avocados, eggs, nuts, seeds) is much better for your face's future as well as your overall health.

Stopping drinking will help. Stopping excessive ultraprocessed and processed foods will also help. Stopping fast foods, deepfried foods will help. Moving from fatty meats to leaner cuts or going semi-vegetarian will help. Vastly reducing sugar, chocolate, processed treats will help. Just losing weight will help. Increasing fibre from vegetables and whole grains and legumes will also very much help.

It will absolutely make a huge difference to how you look (and feel)! Drink loads of water and await your reward in the mirror

As pp have said, fatty liver isn't caused by eating fat!! Alcohol and sugar are the worst offenders.

Reducing sugar intake is far better for you than reducing fat, and if you're up for it then intermittent fasting is great for reversing fatty liver too. Look up Gin Stephens.

If you want healthy skin & hair you need plenty of healthy fat in your diet 🥑🥥🧀

Oh and there's a great book about kicking the drink called 'The Sober Diaries' by Clare Pooley - not a how-to book, just the story of a woman's first year off alcohol and how she gradually noticed the benefits. Very positive read 👍🏻

Hope you're going strong OP and all the best 😊