Do Alcohol Flush Patches Work?
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Pain relief patches help reduce aches, and nicotine patches can help us quit smoking. But what about alcohol flush patches? While they claim to be the latest and greatest solution for alcohol intolerance, we’ve learned to take a second look at viral products on TikTok Shop.
Let’s examine the science behind the patch and determine if we want to add it to our carts or not.
Alcohol flush reactions are a result of intolerance to alcohol. Different from an alcohol allergy, alcohol intolerance is a genetic mutation. This deficiency in the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ALDH) makes it difficult for our body to metabolize alcohol efficiently. This allows the toxin in alcohol, acetaldehyde (ACH), to linger in our body, causing the symptoms we know as alcohol flush.
Marked by common symptoms and known for its prevalence in those of us of Asian descent, alcohol flush is also known as “Asian glow” or “Asian flush.” The hallmark symptom of alcohol flush is a red face, but it is often accompanied by others:
Due to the severe unpleasantness of alcohol flush reactions, we continue to look for solutions to help get rid of it. We may have heard of Pepcid or curated alcohol flush pills, but one of the newer proposed remedies is an alcohol flush patch.
Alcohol flush patches are small transdermal patches that claim to alleviate the symptoms of alcohol flush reactions. They go by many other labels and nicknames:
The patches vary in size, color, and ingredients, but they all aim to reduce the unpleasant symptoms of drinking.
Each alcohol flush patch contains a specific combination of supplements. When placed on our skin, the supplements get absorbed into our bloodstream through our skin. Unlike pills, patches allow the medications to bypass the digestive system, get absorbed more slowly through our skin, and last longer. Due to their slow release, alcohol flush patches are meant to be placed on the body before drinking.
Alcohol flush patches typically contain a combination of ingredients that aim to reduce experiences of alcohol flush reactions:
When we wear the patch while drinking, its curated combination of vitamins and antioxidants is drawn in through the pores in our skin — aiding our body’s absorption and metabolization of alcohol.
Alcohol patch ingredients vary based on different drinking experiences and alcohol flush reactions.
Alcohol patches for hangovers aim to prevent an unpleasant aftermath or reduce the severity of hangover symptoms. Several brands offer alcohol patches for hangovers:
While hangover patches are aimed at reducing more general symptoms of drinking, alcohol flush patches target more specific experiences of alcohol intolerance.
Alcohol flush patches are meant to reduce common symptoms of alcohol intolerance by helping our body process alcohol. They target specific flush symptoms such as redness, inflammation, and GI distress.
While commonly dubbed Asian glow patches or Asian flush patches, alcohol flush patches can be for anyone who experiences symptoms of alcohol intolerance. The patches usually contain a combination of ingredients that focus on alcohol flush as well as more generic supplements that may help combat hangovers. While varying slightly in composition, several products claim to be a solution for alcohol flush:
No matter what they’re called or what’s in them, the question remains: Do they work?
There’s little research on whether or not alcohol flush patches are effective. By looking at their different components and mechanisms, however, we can better evaluate how they’ll work against symptoms of alcohol flush.
When we drink alcohol, our GI system and enzymes in our blood begin to break down ethanol into acetaldehyde immediately. This process triggers the release of histamine, prompting flushing symptoms to develop rapidly.
In the meantime, the glutathione in the patch slowly passes through our thick dermal layer to raise levels enough to help metabolize ACH, but it’s effects are negligible.
NAC could help, but it needs to be absorbed into our body, transported to our liver, and converted into cysteine, which is then used by our liver to produce glutathione.
So, while glutathione and NAC can help with the breakdown of ACH, the effects are minimal. It can be compared to being handed a raincoat in a typhoon — not completely unhelpful but not nearly enough to prevent serious consequences.
While not necessarily effective in preventing alcohol flush, glutathione and NAC have been studied for their mechanisms in preventing and reducing hangover symptoms. An in vivo study concluded that a mix of glutathione and cysteine alleviated hangover symptoms and reduced oxidative stress. Similarly, research focusing on alcohol metabolism found that accelerating the metabolism of ACH may help reduce the severity of hangovers. However, it’s important to note that not enough human studies have been conducted to conclude that glutathione and NAC specifically aid in hangovers.
Other components of alcohol flush patches include vitamins, antioxidants, and supplements. Scientific literature shows that dietary nutrients such as vitamins and minerals can aid in metabolization of alcohol. Similarly, a pilot study on milk thistle found promising results in reducing hangover symptoms. However, further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of other vitamins and supplements.
After evaluating the mechanisms of alcohol flush patches, we can see that they have minimal effects on preventing alcohol flush and hangovers. Yet, they’re still popular products, which begs the question: Are they safe?
Like most supplements, alcohol flush patches are not regulated by the FDA. Currently, no serious adverse effects have been reported. However, there’s little research done testing their safety. The components that make up the product are generally safe to use — suggesting that the patches are also safe. As with any supplement, some side effects may occur:
So, while they aren’t overly helpful, in most cases the patches aren’t harmful.
We’ve established that alcohol flush patches are neither particularly helpful nor harmful, so why do people still use them? Let’s go over some of the pros and cons before we make our final decision.
While they may not be the ultimate cure for hangovers, they do have some benefits:
The benefits of alcohol flush patches may explain why some people continue to use them despite their minimal effects on alcohol flush and hangovers.
Like most products, alcohol flush patches have pros and cons — leaving us to evaluate them for ourselves.
An alcohol flush reaction is an uncomfortable response to alcohol intolerance, but it serves as a warning sign of the dangers of alcohol. Alcohol flush products may help reduce some unwanted symptoms, but it remains true that the toxins in alcohol are just as damaging to our body. Some alternatives to help reduce or avoid alcohol flush include the following mindful drinking practices:
Mindful drinking practices not only help with the prevention of alcohol flush reactions but also with the development of a healthier relationship with alcohol.
In theory, alcohol flush patches sound like the answer to our alcohol flush woes. However, a more thorough review of alcohol flush patches uncovers their minimal effectiveness against alcohol flush reactions and hangovers. While not harmful, the patches aren’t significantly beneficial either. It may not hurt to try them, but other alternatives such as quitting or cutting back on alcohol are a better solution for alcohol flush. A patch is no match for alcohol flush!
1. Do alcohol flush patches reduce redness?
Some alcohol flush patches may help to reduce redness, but additional research is needed to prove this claim.
2. Do alcohol flush patches prevent hangovers?
Some components of alcohol flush patches are thought to reduce the risk of hangovers. However, the patches have not yet been studied thoroughly.
3. Are alcohol flush patches better than Pepcid?
Alcohol flush patches are less invasive than Pepcid but may not be as effective in reducing or masking symptoms. Neither method is a sustainable solution for alcohol intolerance.
4. Are there consequences to using alcohol flush patches?
Yes. Alcohol flush patches may cause minor side effects and reduce some symptoms of alcohol flush, tricking us into believing that it’s okay to drink more.
5. Is an Asian glow patch the same as an Asian flush patch?
Yes. They are both used to reduce symptoms of alcohol flush. However, Asian glow patches may help reduce redness specifically.
6. What are other ways I can prevent alcohol flush?
The most effective method for preventing alcohol flush is quitting or cutting back on alcohol. Short-term solutions such as alcohol flush patches can alleviate some symptoms. However, those of us with alcohol intolerance will continue to experience the same difficulties with metabolizing alcohol.
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