How Sleep Affects Your Skin
June 11, 2012 5:33 pmIn its wake, sleep deprivation leaves a dull, dehydrated and wrinkled complexion. On top of that, eyes can look puffy, dark and swollen with more bags than a Macy’s sale. That’s because sleep is one of the best skincare treatments in your arsenal, so when you don’t get enough, your skin shows it. Here’s why sleep is so beneficial and how you can get more of it.
- Sleep increases skincare’s affectiveness. Vitamins, retinoids and other ingredients lose potency after exposure to sunlight, rendering them less effective. Because there’s no sunlight at night, the products’ anti-aging ingredients stay active longer. Therefore, they might provide more anti-aging benefits for your skin.
- Sleep promotes cell turnover. Cell regeneration is the process where fresh, new skin cells replace old, dead skin. This happens quicker at night compared to daytime.
- Sleep cleans up daily damage. During the day, skin is bombarded with UV rays, pollution and other harmful environmental elements. These evildoers can cause damage like dehydration, fine lines, wrinkles and sun spots. At night, skin repairs itself to reverse this damage.Using an antioxidant-rich night cream boosts this repair process. At 360 Skin we recommend (and use ourselves) Image’s Max Creme Moisturizer which is loaded with antioxidants, plant derived stem cells, and moisturizers; it hydrates, encourages cell renewal and delivers an amazing glow to your complexion.
Tips for a good night’s sleep
Many factors are crucial for getting enough sleep. Below, some advice to get you started, according to the National Sleep Foundation:
- Create a sleep-friendly environment. This involves creating a space that’s dark, cool and free from distractions — yes, that includes that beautiful flat screen TV and sexy laptop, which actually stimulate your brain and wake it up. You want to designate your bedroom as a place for sleep and relaxation, so leave work materials outside as well. For many of us work also can be anxiety-provoking, which inhibits sleep.
- Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows. Try a medium-firm mattress, which promotes greater comfort and better sleep than a firm mattress. It’s especially ideal for people with shoulder and back problems. A good mattress should last you 10 years.
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Though it’s tough to keep a consistent schedule, particularly on the weekends when we love to catch up on sleep, it’s an important part of fostering healthy sleep habits.
- Take a warm bath. This will help your mind and body unwind after a long, stressful day. Don’t use super hot water — this will dry your skin and deplete natural oils. Try a soothing bath with a little baking soda tossed in naturally soften the water.
- Don’t eat right before bedtime. If it’s possible, finish eating several hours before you plan on going to sleep.
- Don’t smoke. Because cigarettes and other tobacco products are stimulants, they lead to poor sleep. (Another reason to avoid them: cigarettes are bad for your skin, causing dehydration and wrinkles.)
- Skip caffeine and too much alcohol. Caffeine in coffee, tea, soda and even chocolate can disturb your sleep. On the other hand, a cup of decaf tea before bed can promote relaxation. Now about that bottle of wine…sure a glass of wine might relax you or make you and help facilitate sleep, but several can lead to disrupted sleep later in the night.
Hopefully these tips will help and your skin soon will reveal a rested and rejuvenated you. Please check out our Medical Esthetician practice in San Francisco, 360 Skin and let us know what we can do to facilitate your skincare needs!