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Most people can recall a time they felt dehydrated. Maybe you were hiking, cheering on a child from the bleachers, or working long hours when you realize you have not taken the time to drink water. Typically, drinking more water is enough to fix the problem, but dehydration may have long-term health effects you are unaware of.
Water makes up nearly 60% of the body (1). It keeps the body functioning properly, and it is essential to keep up your water intake to feel your best. However, the body constantly loses water through sweating, urinating, and even breathing. When your body loses more fluids than it takes in, dehydration occurs.
The most common symptom of dehydration is feeling thirsty. Thirst or a dry mouth is typically the first indicator of mild dehydration, but other symptoms include fatigue, poor focus, headaches, dizziness, heatstroke, and an elevated body temperature.
Dehydration can affect different parts of the body in different ways, since when you are dehydrated, your body has to prioritize the moisture it has and send it to critical functions (e.g. your internal organs). Skin, in turn, is left to fend for itself. Like all of your organs, skin can only operate optimally if it has enough water. When you are dehydrated, the appearance and texture of your skin will let you know.
An easy test to see if you are dehydrated is to pinch your cheek (lightly!). If your skin immediately bounces back, then you are drinking enough water. If your skin wrinkles or stays in place momentarily, then the outer layer of your skin is craving water (2). Dr. Henry Garazo notes that this happens because “when you are dehydrated, your skin loses elasticity and plumpness… As a result, your complexion can become dull and tired-looking and age your appearance” (3). Dehydration lines may also appear, which look like thin wrinkles and creaseswhich should disappear once hydration is restored.
Like your skin, hair follicles also need proper hydration to best function. You will notice signs of dehydration affecting your hair through both your scalp and the hair itself. Common signs of dehydration in hair include the following:
Dry/itchy scalp
Increased hair shedding
Rough, frizzy, or brittle hair
Hair breakage (4)
Because the cells in your scalp need water to survive, dehydration will cause that dryness in the scalp due to decreased cell function. Additionally, vitamins and minerals that are essential to hair growth may not reach the hair follicles during periods without water, which may lead to breakage and split ends.
Typically, drinking more water can solve the problem. However, if dehydration is chronic, your hair health is in danger in the long term. Your hair may begin to thin or fall out over time, leading to bald spots. Ensure you are drinking enough water each day to avoid long-term symptoms, or speak to a health professional.
Dehydration can have a series of effects on aging, but aging can also affect your level of dehydration. As you age, your body composition changes, and your body does not retain as much water as it used to. This increases the risk of dehydration in older adults (5). Additionally, many adults report that feelings of thirst do not come as quickly as when they were younger, and this may lead to them feeling more intense symptoms of dehydration by the time they actually feel thirsty.
Research is still being conducted on whether there is a direct relation between water intake and longevity of life, with one study done on mice indicating that “staying properly hydrated might help slow down the aging process” (6).
The many benefits of drinking enough water is the leading indicator that water intake may lead to a longer, healthier life. It is possible that well-hydrated adults develop fewer chronic health conditions, which in turn helps them live longer (7). However, this is not always the case and more research continues to be conducted in the area.
Dehydration affects different parts of the body differently, and both skin and hair are affected due to a lack of fluids in the body. Skin can lose elasticity and plumpness when it needs water, and it may also form small wrinkles. A dry scalp may be a sign of dehydration, and hair may become brittle or fall out if the dehydration is chronic. While connections between dehydration and aging are still being explored, it is universally agreed upon that drinking enough water comes with a plethora of health benefits that can enhance the quality of your life. To avoid unwanted symptoms of dehydration, ensure you are drinking enough water daily.
Can you reverse aging due to dehydration?
While signs of aging due to dehydration typically include dehydration lines and dull skin, these signs of aging can be reversed by drinking enough water.
How does dehydration affect your skin and hair?
Dehydration can cause your skin to lose its elasticity and plumpness. It can lead to a dry/itchy scalp and split ends in your hair.
Does dehydration cause skin aging?
Yes. Dehydration can cause skin aging due to the lack of moisture in your skin.
References
Sirisha Yellayi,Medical News Today,https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-percentage-of-the-human-body-is-water
Arlington Dermatology,https://www.arlingtondermatology.net/2020/11/20/how-dehydration-impacts-your-hair-skin-and-nails/
Henry Garazo, Henry F. Garazo, MD, FACS,https://www.plasticsurgeryservices.net/blog/dehydration-making-wrinkles-look-worse/
Dr. Scott Alexander,https://biltmorehairrestoration.com/dehydration-and-hair-loss/
Cleveland Clinic,https://health.clevelandclinic.org/drink-up-dehydration-is-an-often-overlooked-health-risk-for-seniors
National Institutes of Health,https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/link-between-hydration-aging
National Library of Medicine,https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/h20-for-healthy-aging
