Most people sleep less than the recommended eight hours. As such, sleep deprivation has become normal. And along the way, people have forgotten why sleep is essential.
Our bodies need a quality night’s sleep to recover from the day’s stressors. The skin is the largest organ of the body and needs time to recover.
So, yes, sometimes it’s essential to cancel plans to get your beauty sleep. The length and quality of sleep you get every night will have an impact on your skin health.
Ways Lack Of Enough Sleep Affects Your Skin
There are so many well-known effects of lack of sleep. Feeling grumpy, tired, and not being able to give 100% at work are some of them.
What most don’t know, however, is that sleep deprivation has profound consequences on the skin’s health.
Your Skin Becomes Dry
During rest, your body undergoes a period of perspiration. This is the body’s way of rebalancing the hydration levels.
This extra perspiration helps moisturise your skin which prevents the development of wrinkles. Lack of sleep also has an effect on your pH Levels which causes dry skin.
Your Skin Becomes Dull
Poor sleep can also lead to higher cortisol levels. This is the hormone that triggers inflammation by breaking down the proteins that keep the skin smooth and glowing.
Inflammation also makes your skin prone to acne and increases your sensitivity to allergic reactions.
At the same time, if you are tired due to a lack of quality sleep, your blood circulation is affected. This results in low oxygen levels in the blood. As a result, your skin can look pigmented, greyish, and blotchy.
Dark Circles Develop Under The Eyes
When you don’t get enough sleep, blood vessels dilate, leading to dark circles below your eyes. The appearance of dark circles is usually a sign that not enough oxygen is getting to the tissues.
Not getting your beauty sleep is often the cause of this oxygen deprivation. When we are sleeping, blood flow increases throughout, resulting in rejuvenated skin.
Your doctor will recommend creams or other treatment combinations. Getting enough sleep should, however, fix the problem.
Your Skin Loses Elasticity
Collagen is very important in keeping your body hormonally balanced. When you don’t get quality sleep, it can impact the collagen in your skin.
Collagen gives your skin structure. When it breaks down, your skin loses its firmness and smoothness. This gives you the appearance of ageing skin.
More Acne Flare-Ups
According to research, poor sleep quality can worsen acne conditions. Fatigue after waking up is also associated with acne. Stress is one of the factors that affect the development of acne.
Since sleep deprivation raises cortisol levels, it can lead to more skin problems. Getting enough sleep, if you’re prone to acne flare-ups, can help manage the condition.
The health of your skin affects your overall appearance. After all, it’s the largest organ of the body. You already have a skincare routine that you follow. Getting your beauty sleep every night will help fight off signs of ageing that occur due to sleep deprivation.
