Sleep is one of our most important allies when it comes to staying healthy. And it is very important to make sure we that get enough of it, especially when it comes to the health of our skin.
Many people often look for “magical potions” and miracle cures when, in fact, we have the simplest remedy at hand. Sleep is a crucial part of our everyday lives, and should not be neglected. A lot of people believe that the new types of treatments will be able to slow down their aging process. However, a simple fact that many don’t seem to understand is that skincare starts at home. Each of us is responsible for providing our skin with the best conditions in order to make sure it stays healthy for as long as possible.
Sleep is a great treatment
There are plenty of new techniques out there for delaying the aging process. These include reducing wrinkles with botulinum toxin or hyaluronic acid, vitamin and antioxidant skin revitalization through mesotherapy, and stimulating hydration through chemical peelings. However, a lot of mandatory measures for maintaining skin health are often missed, sleep being one of them. If a child needs enough sleep to grow, an adult needs the same thing to maintain a supple and healthy skin.
Lack of sleep can seriously damage the body
In order to understand the beneficial effects of sleep on the skin, let’s first talk about what lack of sleep can do to you. One of the first signs showing that a person is not getting enough sleep is the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. In addition, our skin is also affected by the reduction of the blood flow.
Unfortunately, as a result of low oxygenation, the skin will get a darker color, especially visible around the eyes, where the skin is thinner. The good news is that all these effects of sleep deprivation can be alleviated or even completely eliminated if we begin to get enough rest. In addition, to further reduce the swelling of the eyes and the dark circles, it is advisable to rest on your back with your head slightly raised.
Are you retaining water?
Sleep deprivation will also affect metabolic processes, which is why water retention might occur. It is the easiest to recognize around the eyes, where the so-called water bags show up. It has also been demonstrated that people getting less than 5 hours per night age faster. It is estimated that these people are prone to having up to twice as many wrinkles as those who sleep at least 7 hours per night.
Growth hormone is naturally released both at the beginning and in the late stages of sleep. This hormone plays an essential role in stimulating the production of new cells in the skin and in the synthesis of collagen. In other words, it supports the regeneration of the skin during the night. When we do not get enough sleep, our body does not release this growth hormone. instead, it actually produces more cortisol – also called the “stress” hormone.
Insufficient sleep can cause your skin to get sick
When not sleeping enough, the barrier function of the skin is compromised. As a result, dermatological diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis may worsen or may be triggered. At the same time, lack of sleep will cause a decrease in the moisture and pH of the skin, which will cause it to lack brightness and shine.
To conclude, although it has become increasingly difficult for us to get enough sleep in a modern society where stress is constantly behind us, it is important to give the body the rest it needs. Following several researches and studies, the United States National Sleep Foundation concluded that sleeping between 7 and 9 hours per night is ideal for adults.
Leave a Reply