Consider the following:
- Sleep protects skin. Your skin goes through much of its restoration while you sleep. If you cut back on sleep you are reducing the amount of time your skin has to repair, This can affect the way you look, and not in a good way.
- Lack of sleep accelerates the aging process. During deep sleep, growth hormones help damaged skin cells repair. When you don’t get enough sleep, the daily breakdown in your skin doesn’t get a chance to repair overnight. When you miss sleep, you probably notice visible signs on your skin in the morning, including swelling, puffiness, and dark circles around your eyes. Other changes of not enough sleep include accentuated fine lines and wrinkles, pale or dull skin, as well as drooping at the corners of the mouth.
- Sleep boosts your skin health and appearance. While you sleep, your body restores proteins — such as collagen and elastin — that repair and strengthen the skin. Quality sleep allows your body the time it needs to produce healthy levels of these key proteins.
Sleep tips for healthy, beautiful skin
Here are several tips to help you improve the quality of your sleep and, therefore, your skin:
- Maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Among other benefits, it prepares your body for a restful night.
- Create a routine before bedtime to help you wind down, such as avoiding any LED screens for an hour prior to bedtime. This should include your mobile devices.
- Make your bedroom a sanctuary of rest and relaxation.
- Consider meditating. It’s an excellent way to prepare your mind and body for sleep.
The bottom line
You can expect to see accelerated aging if you are consistently sleep deprived. By contrast, when you’re well rested, your skin benefits by having fewer wrinkles, a brightened complexion, and reduced puffiness or dark circles around the eyes.
Need help getting a good skin care routine, or any medical and cosmetic dermatological service? Feel free to contact us about this or any medical and cosmetic dermatological service.