A top facialist reveals why a few glasses of wine can age your face dramatically and how you you can correct these signs with some quick tricks.

Katie White, from Hackney in , who has just launched her own skin studio, called re:lax in East London, reveals that is a 'key offender' into why your face could start to see signs of ageing. 

She reveals that when you drink alcohol your skin gets dehydrated - effecting the production of natural collagen, while the sugar from wine can effect blood sugar levels and start a process called glycation, which damages the skin in the form of fine lines and wrinkles.

However there are a few key tricks to limiting and reversing these signs - including prepping your body with bitter food and drinks to support the liver, such such as rocket and dandelion tea. 

Meanwhile, massaging your face with a Gua sha tool to redirect energy flow and improve the circulation in your face helps to produce more collagen. 

Alcohol is a diuretic 

Katie, who is also a nutritionist, as well as a skin therapist, reveals that alcohol intake is one of the first things clients ask her about. 

'It is so often a key offender in skin not looking as glowy and perky as it could. When we're dehydrated our skin lacks hydration which can lead to dullness, dryness and loss of plumpness in skin'.

'Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increase production and excretion of urine.

'As our body will priories vital organs such as the brain or liver – connective tissue such as collagen (which keeps skin youthful) is one of the first things to stop receiving hydration which can lead the formation of wrinkles.'

Alcohol effects sleep 

Ever woken up after a few too many glasses of wine and wondered why you're so tired still and you have bags under your eyes?

'Alcohol is really effective at disrupting sleep patterns. It suppresses the body’s production of melatonin which is an essential for good quality sleep. Research has shown that a moderate dose of alcohol reduced melatonin production by almost 20 per cent,' says Katie.

'When we sleep our skin rebuilds collagen and repairs damage from UV exposure, reducing wrinkles and age spots. Poor sleep means less opportunity to repair.'

Sugary cocktails  

'Many alcoholic beverages have a high sugar content which increases blood sugar levels,' says the skin therapist. 

'Sugar molecules attach to collagen and elastin proteins in the skin through a process called glycation. This process produces advanced glycosylation end-products (AGEs).

'AGEs damage the skin in the form of fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity and sallowness. It can also interfere with the production of new collagen and elastin which we need to keep the dermal matrix strong and tight.'

How to limit or reverse the damage 

Katie says that the poison is in the dose: 'Enjoy in moderation, think of it as a treat to enjoy now and again rather than a side dish to your evening meal.  

'Have a glass of water after every drink to help support your body and skin. It will help you avoid a headache the next day as well. 

'If you have had a particularly social period, I would recommend introducing a little bit of liver support. Bitter foods such as chicory, rocket, watercress and endive are great, as are nettle, dandelion and burdock teas or tinctures.'

Katie's golden Rules of Gua Sha 

 1. Cleanse skin first

2. Always use a massage medium such as oil – don’t gua sha on dry skin

3. Work from the neck upwards and pull the tool across your skin, don’t push it

4. Hold the tool flat and don’t work over breakouts, broken skin, sunburn or inflammation

5. Be gentle – it should never hurt

At home instructions:

1. Starting from the neck – stroke upwards to increase blood flow to face and downwards to encourage lymphatic drainage

2. Place gua sha beneath chin, stroke along jawline towards ear

3. Hook the curve into jawline and move from chin to ear

4. Place short edge at the front and centre of chin, below mouth and move from centre to ear

5. Repeat move from corner of mouth to ear, under cheek bone – acupressure can be used under the cheek bone to release, lift and sculpt

6. Hold and lift nasolabial line, rub with serrated edge to plump out line

7. Place gua sha to the side of nose and move gently towards side of face – light pressure here

8. Pumping action around eye

9. Strokes up and along to release tension from eyebrows

10. Pull gua sha upwards to lift forehead and brow, continue work into the hairline, use friction across lines to plump up skin

11. To finish, do downward strokes from behind the ear to the collar bone to promote drainage of any dermal waste that has been released from the facial massage

SOS for the skin 

Katie also recommends facials which include LED light therapy and cosmetic acupuncture  - as they are effective at stimulating collagen production (which naturally slows down as we age) and is a great ways to maintain plump, tight, and youthful looking skin.

The skin therapist is also a big advocate of Gua sha - an ancient self-care practice used in traditional Chinese medicine in which a tool, usually made from jade, bone or horn is glided across the skin to redirect energy flow.

'Studies have shown that just one minute per day of gua sha improves microcirculation by up to 400 per cent – this results in boosted collagen production, reduces wrinkles, it rejuvenates, tones and smooths skin.

'It can also combat pigmentation, dark circles and puffy eyes and define jaw lines and cheek bones,' reveals Katie.

 

Compiled by Olalekan Adeleye

MailOnline