You probably thought your Mom was joking when she said you needed your beauty sleep. Well, she wasn’t! Sleep Counselor and Clinic Director of SleepSomatics, Joshua Alexander, says, “Sleep is the primary mechanism for body repair. A human can survive for over a week without food and many days without water. Sleep deprivation, however, will generally result in neurological dysfunction within twenty-four hours. No organ or system within the human body can function without sleep every sixteen or so hours.”
But while sleep is an essential function for human life, it’s also vital to our overall skin health. A lack of sleep can actually create or worsen any pre-existing skin conditions, like acne, inflammation, dryness, dullness and more. Alexander says, “Sleep deprivation increases cortisol production, a key contributor to inflammation that worsens acne and psoriasis. Poor sleep produces glucocorticoids and accelerates the breakdown of elastin and collagen, which reduces skin elasticity and increases wrinkles.”
So, yes, while poor sleep can definitely affect your performance at work or school, there are also negative side-effects that affect your skin’s health. According to Alexander, sleep allows the body to essentially, heal itself as you sleep. He emphasizes, “During sleep, fluid is replenished throughout your skin while toxins are removed.” He says, deep sleep, also known as delta wave sleep, “induces human growth hormone release, a collagen precursor necessary for healthy skin, hair, and nails.” To combat restless nights and their unwanted effects on skin, we’re sharing a few ways to get better sleep and preserve skin’s health. Read on, soon-to-be sleeping beauties!
Put your electronic devices on DND
Remember the good ‘ole days when we didn’t feel the need to sleep with a phone next to our heads? If you feel you might be unhealthily attached to your phone, Alexander says, “Take the simple test of putting your phone into a box in your closet when you get home from work and do not remove until you are ready to leave for work the next morning. While some of us may not be ready to cut the cord (pun intended) just yet, there are ways to gradually wean yourself off technology before bed to ensure better sleep. Enter DND mode. A few hours before bed, set all electronics to ‘Do Not Disturb’ and consider restricting the use of anything with a bright screen (think televisions, electronic tablets, phones, etc.).
Limit or avoid your vices
If you’re having trouble sleeping and you’re a frequent consumer of sugar, alcohol, or tobacco prior to sleep, it might be time to put on the brakes. Alexander says, “Sugar, alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine all exacerbate insomnia and fragment sleep by producing micro-arousals during sleep as the brain attempts to wake you up for further dopamine stimulation. Many patients are unaware of how ‘addicted’ they are to these substances until counseled to discontinue them after the sun sets each evening.”
Fake it ‘till you make it
While a comprehensive plan should be made to tackle sleepless nights, there are topical solutions to combat the unwanted effects of poor sleep and make your hours of slumber even more worth their while. Introducing SELF-ESTEEM Beauty Sleep Serum, a targeted overnight treatment for face and décolleté formulated with a potent blend of amino acids to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark age spots, and large pores. Suitable for all skin types, the anti-aging sleep serum contains antioxidants, like Vitamin C, which works overtime to brighten hyperpigmentation and boost collagen production. The result? Smooth, radiant skin that will have everyone fooled thinking you had a rejuvenating full night’s rest. The best part is all you have to do is apply it before bedtime and let the wonder serum do its magic. Talk about getting ready for bed!
Has a lack of sleep this holiday season had an impact on your skin? Will you be trying any of our tips to get better rest and youthful-looking skin? Let us know by sending us a message on Instagram or Facebook – and be part of the conversation!
