The Relationship Between Sleep and Skin Health
Getting enough sleep is important for overall physical health. It is a period of rest and rejuvenation for the entire body, mind and spirit, but it is also essential for maintaining healthy skin. Poor sleep habits can affect the skin’s capability to repair itself, which can lead to a variety of skin issues. Lack of sleep also increases the levels of cortisol and other stress hormones, these hormones can lead to outbreaks of acne.
Sleep is a vital contributor to the skin’s ability to heal and regenerate itself. When you don’t get enough sleep, your skin is less capable of repairing itself. This leads to poor skin health, and can make existing conditions worse. The process that the skin goes through when it is repairing itself has several biochemical facets. During sleep, the body is able to focus on restoring, repairing and rebalancing hormones in the body. This naturally leads to clearer, healthier skin.
Without regular and quality sleep, the body cannot repair itself and its natural balance of hormones is disturbed. This can lead to premature aging, wrinkles, bags and circles around the eyes, dryness, inflammation, and skin dullness. Studies have shown that a lack of quality sleep can decrease blood flow to the dermis, which is the part of the skin that is responsible for elasticity and smoothness. This leads to dull, dry, and wrinkled skin.
Effects of Lack of Sleep on Skin Health
A lack of quality sleep leads to a variety of unwanted skin effects. It can increase wrinkles, create breakouts and increase signs of early aging. Eye bags, dark circles, and an overall dull appearance are all common side effects of sleep deprivation. It also strips the skin of its natural moisturizers, leading to dry and flaky skin. In addition, a lack of sleep can weaken the body’s immune system. This makes it more vulnerable to all kinds of infections, including skin related infections.
A lack of sleep can also cause certain hormones to become unbalanced. This can lead to higher levels of cortisol in the body. This hormone causes the skin to become inflamed, which can lead to acne and an increased chance of skin lesions. Sleep deprivation can also lead to water retention, which can create puffy eyes and an overall dull appearance.
How to Improve Skin Health with Sleep
The best way to improve skin health is by getting enough quality sleep. Here are some tips to help improve your sleep and overall skin health:
- Get into a routine and try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
- Try to avoid eating and drinking before bedtime.
- Create a comfortable sleep environment by keeping the temperature cool and eliminating all distractions.
- Turn off all electronics at least an hour before bedtime.
- If needed, take a sleep aid such as melatonin or valerian to help you fall asleep.
- Take time to destress before bedtime with practices such as mediation, journaling or reading.
Sleep is an integral part of proper skin health. Making sure you are getting enough quality sleep will help keep your skin rejuvenated, repair any skin damage, and prevent premature aging. By following the tips above, you can ensure that you get the restful sleep your skin needs to stay healthy and vibrant.