Written by Sally Jones
Do you get enough beauty sleep? Sleep is a pretty much natural occurrence for everyone. Most adults require seven to eight hours of sleep per day. However, those who live a fast-paced lifestyle might be training themselves to function on less sleep. A study published on ScienceDaily shows that people sleep the least from their early 30s to early 50s, averaging five to seven hours. That said, does sleep really matter when it comes to maintaining the skin’s health and youthfulness?
Keep reading to find out…
Sleep Deprivation and Its Causes
“Beauty sleep” possibly dates back to the Elizabethan era, making it sound quite romantic. Indeed, getting one or two more hours of sleep sounds like a luxury not all of us can enjoy. But adequate rest is essential to the body as it helps manage stress, reduces inflammation, boosts mood, and improves concentration. According to a Zocdoc feature that was medically reviewed by Dr. Nassim Assefi, the opposite can cause problems to one’s mental health, oral health, and of course, skin.
The article also enumerates three common culprits found at the root of many sleep problems such as insomnia. Firstly, habits contribute significantly to how well a person sleeps. If you have lower physical activity levels, for instance, you might struggle with having too much energy at night. Health issues such as sleep apnea and chronic pain can also disrupt sleep schedules. Lastly, environmental factors such as extreme temperatures and irritating noises can also affect one’s quality of sleep.
The Link Between Sleep and Skin
Say you do get your regular dose of beauty sleep. Repeated cycles of sleep stages, biological processes, and chemical reactions actually affect our every cell. After all, the skin is the largest organ in the human body. An article from PubMed highlights its protective role, serving as a major barrier between our internal organs and the outside environment. It also provides water regulation, temperature regulation, and immunological functions. Because it’s such a dynamic organ, it works differently during the day from how it does at night.
The Magic of Beauty Sleep
The different types of skin cells actually have their own internal clock, which all work in conjunction with the brain to produce the changes in our skin. At night, there is said to be increased water loss, a more permeable skin barrier function, and increased skin repair and regeneration. For these reasons, a good night-time skincare routine is so important. Deep sleep (the first third period of our sleep) has been found to be the most helpful thanks to a spike in our growth hormone, which aids in cell reproduction and regeneration.
Sleep vs. Beauty Products
Can you get the same regeneration effects using beauty products? In the past decade, there have been a lot of products that have claimed to be able to slow down or reverse skin aging, which is worsened by the lack of sleep. Collagen, for instance, has been the talk of the town as a “fountain of youth”. However, dermatology experts told Byrdie magazine that although the use of oral and topical collagen products may be effective as a supplement, it’s not nearly as effective as good habits – using sunscreen and getting enough sleep.
Getting More Beauty Sleep
In a previous post here at Beauty Tidbits, we suggest a few ways to help you fall asleep faster. Firstly, make sure you don’t use your smartphone before heading to bed, as blue light makes insomnia worse. Foods to avoid include coffee and other caffeinated products, refined carbs that can raise blood sugar, and other stimulants like spicy food. Getting in at least 20 to 30 minutes of cardio per day can also help you expend unnecessary energy. In general, activities that are relaxing will help you get the beauty sleep you deserve.
Author Bio:
Sally Jones is a beauty blogger and yogi. Her main focus in her writing revolves around wellness and how it can improve us both physically, mentally and spiritually.
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