Have you ever looked in the mirror after a bad night’s sleep and noticed just how dull and lifeless your skin looks?
With even just a few nights of restless sleep, you may find others noticing too. At best they might say “you look tired”, as if you didn’t already feel like it on the inside, now you get a reminder that you’re radiating exhaustion. Now imagine what years of poor sleep could do to your appearance.
Our skin, like many other parts of our body, uses sleep to repair and rejuvenate itself overnight. So like it or not, poor quality sleep can really affect how you look, be it your eyes, your complexion, your hair or your overall je ne sais quoi.
Even research suggests that a lack of ‘beauty sleep’ does indeed have its consequences.
Attractiveness: One study found that sleep deprivation was associated with decreased attractiveness and health. Participants rated photographs of people who were sleep deprived. The results found that participants were less likely to want to socialize with those that looked tired as they were perceived as less attractive and less healthy.
Ageing: Another study looked at the effects of sleep quality on skin ageing. It found that poor sleep quality accelerated intrinsic ageing. This included an increase in the development of fine lines, reduced skin elasticity, and an increase in uneven skin tone. A lack of sleep was also found to hinder the skin’s ability to recover from sun exposure, resulting in more wrinkles.
Self-Esteem: The Case Western Reserve University study found that those who suffered from poor sleep on a regular basis were more dissatisfied with their physical appearance than good sleepers. So not only does good quality sleep aid in skin rejuvenation, but it also promotes a positive mind set in how you feel about yourself and how you look.
Skin: Sleep deprivation also places the body in a state of “stress”, which can impair collagen production and cause breakouts. With a poor night’s sleep, you’re more likely to wake up with dull, uneven skin tone and more breakouts.
As an added consequence, sleep deprivation can also cause weight gain, affect your mental health, and the decrease the function of your immune system.
Finding ways to minimise restless nights and maximise nourishment to your skin, is essential in helping you feel more refreshed and look more rejuvenated the next day.