Dr. Bruce Dan: If your face turns red after that beer, it may have nothing to do with the sun. It could be that alcohol is hazardous to your health. Alcohol could dilate capillaries, which is the reason most people become a little red faced after having a few. In some folks, a flushed face may be the sign of increased cancer risk. It might indicate an inherited gene deficiency called ALDH2. This deficiency creates a toxic by-product called acetaldehyde. One third of people of East Asian ancestry have this trait. As little as two beers a day raises the risk of developing esophageal cancer six to ten times. As little as half a bottle of beer can trigger that red face reaction, and may be the first sign you’ve had enough to drink.
