Quality Sleep Adds To Skin Health

You wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, and once again your eyes appear bloodshot and you have dark circles under your eyes. You know you were up too late last night and the night before, or perhaps you went to bed on time but slept poorly. Whatever the reason, poor quality sleep, including not getting enough sleep, is taking a toll on the health of your skin.

Sleep Quality Directly Impacts Healthy Skin And Signs Of Aging

Those who have poor sleep hygiene, poor sleep habits, or ignore the need for sleep in favor of the distractions of life tend to show signs of aging earlier than those who experience a full night of restful sleep. For some patients this may mean sallow-appearing skin, increasing fine lines around the eyes, or dark circles under the eyes. Over time, these effects may become compounded — causing a chronically tired appearance, and by extension may cause you to look older than you actually are. In addition, lack of regular, high quality sleep also has a negative psychological effect. Those who are chronically sleep-deprived tend to view themselves as less attractive.

Poor Ability To Recover From Environmental Factors

Lack of good quality sleep leads to a significant decrease in the skin’s ability to recover from the damaging effects of daily environmental factors, particularly sun exposure. Those who get inadequate amounts of sleep tend to experience decreased ability to recover after excess sun exposure, and suffer from redness or the effects of sunburn for longer than those who get enough sleep. Those who experience restful, full nights of sleep tend to have less skin inflammation than those who don’t, and also an increased ability to retain moisture essential for healing after sun and other environmental exposures. Unfortunately, for those poorly rested, this increases early signs of aging, including fine lines, uneven pigmentation, and reduced elasticity of the skin.

Improve Your Sleep Habits

By improving your sleep habits, you can reap multiple benefits, such as increased energy, elevated mood, and a more relaxed, healthy appearance. Your skin will be better equipped to cope with environmental stress and exposure, and you may notice fewer breakouts, improved overall skin tone, and a brighter look around the eyes.

There are a number of steps you can take to improve your sleep, including removing light sources such as the television or other screens from the bedroom, including your cell phone. Turn alarm clocks with glowing faces toward the wall to both reduce the amount of light and to remove the compulsion to regularly check the time.

Be sure to follow a healthy diet and cut back on coffee and other sources of caffeine. Avoid medications that contain ephedra or pseudoephedrine, as these may act as stimulants and keep you awake. Learning to manage stress and taking active steps to relax such as listening to relaxation tapes or practicing meditation may also help. Some patients also find relief from supplements such as valerian root — a natural extract known to enhance relaxation and allows you to fall asleep earlier and stay asleep longer. Of course, discuss the use of any supplements with your doctor first.

What To Do When The Damage Is Already Done

If you already have visible signs of sleep deprivation, be sure to schedule an appointment at Quinn Aesthetic Center to have your skin evaluated for signs of sleep-related problems. Chronic sleep-related skin problems may benefit from chemical peels or medical facials, microdermabrasion, or BBL photofacial treatments. In addition, Quinn Aesthetic Center offers a wide array of products for at-home use which can help combat signs of sleeplessness.

To learn more about improving your sleep habits, visit Quinn Aesthetic Center’s TrueStar portal for a wealth of information and resources, and be sure to schedule a consultation at Quinn Aesthetic Center for an evaluation of your sleep-related skin problems. Our goal is to help you refresh your look so you can face your day with energy and vigor all while looking great. Call Quinn Aesthetic Center today at (913) 492-3443 to schedule your consultation.