...prevent myself from getting red as a fucking beet after I drink alcohol? I find that even after 1 beer, I will get super red in the face although I won't even feel buzzed yet. Is this just an issue of tolerance? or is there something I could take that could reduce the redness?

I've been known to drink a time or two (), and I've never experienced what you describe, nor have I seen this on any other person. You got me.

I think it's genetic or something.  Asians are very prone to the condition you describe.

<-- does not have that problem

Quoted: I think it's genetic or something.  Asians are very prone to the condition you describe. <-- does not have that problem

makes sense...I'm asian

Had a bloodpressure check lately ?

I've had that happen before too, it seemed like it was a blood pressure thing or something, my face got red and my chest was all splotchy....weird    

Tanning bed...

An explanation perhaps..

Alice, I'm a Filipino-Chinese student who has discovered drinking recently. There is one problem, I turn really red!!! I have heard that this happens because I am Asian. I like to drink socially, but am very embarrassed by the whole red thing. What is it that causes this and what can I do about it? — Wanna drink Dear Wanna drink, You're probably not the only red one in the bar; as many as 50 percent of people of Asian descent experience a flushed complexion after drinking alcohol. Alcohol flush reaction, the more technical name, describes the body's inability to break down ingested alcohol completely. You and others like you have an inactive enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), which is normally responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde, a byproduct of the metabolism of alcohol. Acetaldehyde is a toxin and if your body can't break it down, it accumulates and causes flushing. Other symptoms you might experience include dizziness, nausea, headaches, and an increased pulse. Scientists don't know why the enzyme is inactive primarily in people of Asian descent, but it is genetic and can be passed on by either or both parents. Some researchers find that the presence of the mutation can help account for the lower levels of alcoholism in Asian communities, since many of the symptoms of alcohol flush reaction discourage people from drinking. There is some evidence that ALDH2 is inactive in higher than average levels in people of Jewish descent as well. Because it's genetic, there isn't much you can do to prevent your red face. Tolerance levels and the severity of flushing and other symptoms vary from individual to individual, so you might want to test how much alcohol it takes before your rosiness becomes noticeable. If your coloring makes you self-conscious, sometimes the room is dark enough that people may not notice. If people do notice, they may think you are warm or excited to see them. You could also explain to any drinking partners why you're turning red, but it's likely they will soon forget about your flushed face. There is some suspicion that a build up of acetaldehyde can cause cancer, but more research needs to be done before a definitive answer can be given. Otherwise, there are no known long-term health consequences resulting from the alcohol flush reaction.

No clue, never have had the problem.

Might try popping a couple Ibuprofin... Mild anti-inflamitory might calm things down some.

For me it depends on what I drink.  I can drink beer all day with no red face.  If I drink hard liquor, my face turns red for the first few.  It goes away after awhile though.  YMMV.

Quoted: makes sense...I'm asian

Yeah, here is ths skinny, from Intellihealth.com:

--
Q: My face has started turning red when I drink alcohol. I never had this problem until a year ago. What could be causing this?

A:  Many people get a red facial blush when they drink even relatively small amounts of alcohol. Alcohol causes the very tiny blood vessels in the skin to dilate, bringing red blood closer to the surface. This phenomenon is especially common in Asians, with about 50 percent of Asians experiencing this reaction to alcohol. The reason is genetic; those affected have an inactive form of the enzyme needed to break down alcohol's main byproduct, acetaldehyde. The higher levels of acetaldehyde can also cause other symptoms including nausea, dizziness, and headaches.

In your situation, this reaction started one year ago, so it is less likely to be related to genetics. I suspect that you have rosacea. Rosacea is a relatively common skin condition occurring most commonly in fair-skinned Caucasians. It often starts after age 30. It may be hardly noticeable at first, with the redness showing up after drinking alcohol, eating spicy foods, sitting in the sun, or being exposed to cold wind.
--

My sister turns red when she drinks; I don't.  I guess that 50% figure is pretty dead-on.  

[eta:  dolamp, you're fast! ]

Quoted: No clue, never have had the problem. Might try popping a couple Ibuprofin... Mild anti-inflamitory might calm things down some.

___

Ibuprofin + alcohol = liver death

Alcohol dilates the weins.  Nothing to do about it.
You should be prone to a good drinker's nose; so watch it!
Lots of heavy drinkers end up with red skin.

That can be from a lack or a deficiency in the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which converts ethanol to acetaldhyde.  Ethanol is a vasodilator, so your blood vessels increase in size, including the capillaries in your face.  This allows more blood through those capillaries and thus, the red color.  But then again, I'm not a doctor and have only learned this stuff through my chemistry courses.  Could be something completely different

Ok, maybe I shoulda read the thread before replying as it has already been answered

Well, I'll be damned. Ya learn something new every day.

damn...I was really hopin for a remedy here

Quoted: damn...I was really hopin for a remedy here

drink only in dimly-lit places, no one will notice you're turning into a lobster

did you pledge anywhere?

No shit. There was an Asian guy at a bar I used to go to that turned red every once in awhile. When he was red, we knew to avoid him because he'd always be a little belligerant at that point. I always wondered as it seemed kind of weird. Even the bar tender knew to cut him off when he started turning red.

I always thought he was red because he was getting himself upset. Cool stuff to know.

Quoted: Ibuprofin + alcohol = liver death

True... if liver = stomach and death = ulcers, OR  ibuprofin = acetaminophen.

Quoted: ...prevent myself from getting red as a fucking beet after I drink alcohol? I find that even after 1 beer, I will get super red in the face although I won't even feel buzzed yet. Is this just an issue of tolerance? or is there something I could take that could reduce the redness?

One possible solution to red face (sorry borrowed from another thread):

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/3931/fakeandbake3va8le.jpg

Quoted: Quoted: damn...I was really hopin for a remedy here drink only in dimly-lit places, no one will notice you're turning into a lobster did you pledge anywhere?

Nope, couldn't get back to campus that early.