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3 Ways Lack of Sleep Affects Your Skin’s Complexion

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If lack of sleep is affecting you every night, don't worry, you're not alone! Nearly 70 million Americans are afflicted with a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea and insomnia.

However, even when you miss out on a single night’s sleep, your body’s cortisol levels are elevated. (Cortisol is a stress hormone. It interferes with the body’s ability to mend itself while we sleep)

Here’s how a lack of sleep affects your skin’s complexion:

 

1.Lack of Sleep Accelerates Aging

Each time you decide to stay up past your natural bedtime, you flip on the aging button. In a very short period of time, you will start to notice visible wrinkles on your face. In fact, many dermatological studies have shown that females who sleep less have larger pores, dehydrated skin, increased dark circles and redness, and definitely more wrinkles.

Keep in mind; our cells regenerate at night. If the body doesn't get quality sleep, it will be unable to heal itself, resulting in an older appearance.


sleeping on the side affects skin

2. Sleeping Position is Important

The position of our sleep affects our skin too: constantly sleeping on one side will result in deep wrinkles on that particular side. Wrinkles that occur in unusual places on the face, such as the forehead or near the ears, also occur due to unusual sleep positions. If you're only able to fall asleep on your side, I recommend using silk pillow cases. These will help prevent sleep lines and keep your skin smooth.

sleep affects skin condition

3. Lack of Sleep Worsens Existing Skin Conditions

People with the following underlying skin conditions are more in need of quality sleep:

- eczema

- psoriasis

- rosacea

- acne

- inflammation

A lack of sleep will increase cortisol and anxiety in your body. This exasperates your current skin condition. It’s important to stick to a regimen of healthy eating, exercise, sleep, and medical therapy to treat your skin condition. This will help your skin heal.

4. Lack Of Sleep Causes Breakouts

Pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and acne aren’t conditions that just plague us during the teen years. Lack of sleep causes inflammation of the skin and immune dysregulation. This leads to redness, breakouts, and skin dryness. Excess inflammation will also cause the skin to lose its glow.

5. Importance of Bedtime Routine

The importance of having a pre-bedtime routine cannot be stressed enough. Sound sleep is essential in helping your skin repair itself. Tackle your lack of sleep issues by first washing your face to remove makeup and other impurities. After skincare routine, get into your favorite PJs. Turn off all devices like TV, cell phone, tablet, etc. Get into bed. You’ve prepared your mind, body, and environment to enter into sleep. Following a similar routine will help you develop a healthy sleep regimen.

 

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