Introduction

Sleep and skin health – is there a relationship?

We all know the importance of getting enough sleep for our overall health and wellbeing. But what’s the relationship between sleep and skin health? In this blog post, we aim to  explore the connection between skin health and sleep. We will discuss why it matters to have a restful sleep at night in order to get that glowing skin.

What is the Relationship Between Skin and Sleep?

Our skin is one of our most important organs, and it needs proper care in order for it to remain healthy. One of the most important factors in maintaining healthy skin is getting adequate sleep. Sleep provides us with many benefits that can directly affect our skin’s appearance and health. According to a large cohort study, it identified sleep problems as one of the factors associated with sensitive skin.

In another study, sleep disturbance is found to be a pressing concern among people with psoriasis. Rosacea (another skin problem) has been found to be aggravated by lack of sleep in another literature.

These studies suggest that sleep quality largely impacts skin conditions. It may lead to an assumption that better sleep quality may have a good impact on skin health.

Sleep gives our bodies the time they need to repair and restore themselves after some damage inflicted during the day.

, which includes repairing some of the damage done to our skin during the day. During sleep, our bodies release human growth hormone (hGH), which is important in growth and repair.

Overall, getting sufficient quality sleep is an important factor in keeping your skin looking its best. Aiming for six to nine hours every night should help keep your skin glowing with health no matter what age you are. You can also get more benefits apart from glowing skin with good quality sleep.

How Does Sleep Affect Skin Health?

Sleep is an essential part of life, not only for health and wellbeing but also for our skin. The importance of sleep in skin health cannot be overstated. When we sleep, our body is able to repair itself and restore natural balance. Our skin relies on this overnight repair process so that it can look its best during the day.

According to a study, sleep can affect skin health as evidenced by its association to several skin conditions including chronic inflammatory skin diseases.

Various studies have shown that inadequate sleep can lead to a decrease in skin elasticity, wrinkles, and age spots. In fact, in another literature we reviewed, good sleepers had lower intrinsic skin aging scores (fine lines, reduced elasticity, and uneven pigmentation).

The amount of time spent sleeping is not the only factor that affects our skin health.Our sleep patterns are just as important. Research has found that when people experience disrupted or fragmented sleep patterns, their skin appears older than it should for their age.

Why is Sleep Important for Your Skin?

Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining skin health. When we don’t get enough sleep, it can lead to a wide range of skin problems. This could include in the following:

• Sagging eyelids

• Redder eyes

• Dark circles surrounding the eyes

• Paler skin

• Increased fine lines and wrinkles

• Droopy corners of the mouth

Sleep is an important part of the natural process that helps us look our best. When we get enough sleep on a regular basis, our skin cells repair and regenerate themselves more efficiently. This could lead to better overall skin health.

Beyond just helping your body repair itself at night, getting quality sleep can help keep your mind relaxed during the day too. It reduces stress levels which is another factor in keeping your skin healthy.

How Much Sleep Do You Need for Healthy Skin?

There is no fixed amount of sleep you need for healthy skin. However, generally, adults need to sleep at least six to nine hours for overall well-being. This is for people aged 65 years old and more. In another article, people who sleep seven to nine hours at night have more moisturized skin. Therefore, it is safe to assume that six to nine hours is the healthy bracket for the general population.

If for some reason you are consistently missing restorative sleep (due to stress or other factors), take necessary steps to reduce them. If this is something that is hard to do, you might want to consult your healthcare provider for assistance.

Which Sleeping Position is Good for Skin?

Sleeping on your back is the best sleeping position for the skin. While there is limited evidence about this information, a study states that prone and lateral positions during sleep may increase facial wrinkles. This just shows that certain sleeping positions are more beneficial to skin repair and health than others.

When it comes to skin repair and health, the side sleeping position is the most beneficial. Side lying position (lateral position) may be best if you have sinus problems but it could lead to wrinkling on one side of the face as well as the neck.

Avoiding stomach sleeping is recommended as it puts strain on both hair follicles and facial muscles due to gravitational pull. This prolonged compression of the delicate area around the mouth may result in wrinkles over time. It may also cause breakouts of acne due to blockage of hair follicles.

Extra Information

Can Lack of Sleep Damage Skin?

Yes, as established earlier, lack of sleep can damage the skin leading to make you look older than you should.

Furthermore, it can also lead to aggravation of several sleep-related medical- and skin-related disorders. This includes:

• Acne

• Psoriasis

• Skin sensitivity

Skin repair and renewal is one of the most important functions of our body. And when we don’t get enough rest, it’s harder for our skin and body to heal and repair.

The importance of sleep in maintaining good skin health cannot be underestimated. Not only does getting enough rest prevent wrinkles from appearing prematurely. But it helps reduce dark circles around the eyes and puffiness due to water retention.

Do You Age Faster if You Sleep Less?

Yes, when you sleep less, you age a lot faster.

Studies have shown that insufficient sleep can lead to premature aging of the skin, with the most visible sign being wrinkles. We also established earlier how sleep can help the skin regenerate and repair due to the release of hGH. Several studies have already established the impact of sleep to skin health.

Conclusion

The connection between skin health and sleep is undeniable. Getting enough sleep and quality rest keeps the body healthy, and specifically benefits the skin. Sleep deprivation can cause an increase in wrinkles, acne, and other signs of aging. We recommend that you practice good sleeping habits to maintain overall health and wellness. To learn more about how to optimize your skin health, schedule an appointment with ReplenishMD Aesthetics & Wellness today to get a comprehensive assessment.