Your Skin Vs. Lack of Sleep
We've all heard that the best thing we can do for our skin is sleep- and the recommended time that we do so is between 7 and 9 hours. Many studies over the years have shown results that suggest lack of sleep is actually detrimental to both our skin and general mental and physical health.
So, what actually happens when we sleep less than 7 hours?
Studies show that this wreaks havoc on our skin, causing premature aging. The more we sleep, the more our skin regenerates and repairs which also aids our cells in the healthy circulation of blood to maintain the skin's outward healthy appearance. Cortisol is a hormone that is increased when we lack sleep, which can result in weight gain as well as free radical damage to various skin systems as well as skin.
Sleep induces collagen production in our skin, preventing wrinkles and sagging. So without enough, it is a given that skin would show signs of a loss of elasticity and plumpness. Lack of sleep can also lead skin to become dehydrated, dull in complexion, redness and even acne. Less sleep lowers your skin's PH levels, causing it to become unbalanced, depleting moisture and minimizing its natural glow. As the body's repair and regeneration process isn't complete, cells are deprived of the chance to heal if damaged at from the day's activities, making fine lines or dark spots more noticeable.
How to do damage control
Between life, work, personal commitments and other things; life gets busy and it's virtually impossible to get a perfect amount of sleep every night. With that being said, there are a few great ways to correct the damage done at this point, or even help your skin easier cope with those sleepless nights that pop up from time to time. The first thing we can do to help our skin and its cells minimize damage on account of sleep deprivation, is drink water. This helps restore moisture to the skin, replenishing and plumping our skin. As we age, our skin does become less resilient to lack of sleep, and it is also worth looking at how much caffeine and alcohol we consume in combination with our lacklustre sleep patterns, as those typically can cause significant damage to skin as well.