Quality sleep is essential for the repair and renewal of your cells. When you sleep, your body is going to enter a restorative phase. This is the time when cell turnover increases, and collagen production is stimulated.
Your skin will have a chance to repair damage from the day’s exposure to UV rays and even pollution. When you don’t get enough rest, your skin may appear dull. It may also be puffy, and more prone to fine lines.
The Science Behind Beauty Sleep
Image by inna mykytas from Pixabay
During deep sleep, human growth hormone will be released. This plays a vital role in tissue repair, including skin cells. A lack of sleep will disrupt this natural process, leading to a breakdown in collagen.
This can lead to premature aging like wrinkles and sagging. Sleep deprivation is also known for increasing inflammation, and this can worsen skin conditions such as acne, and eczema.
When you consistently get 7 to 9 hours of sleep it will allow your skin to start regenerating properly. This will stop long-term damage.
Best Sleep Practices for Healthy Skin
To maximize the skin benefits of sleep, you need to establish a consistent nighttime routine. Sleeping on your back will help to prevent sleep lines and wrinkles.
Using a silk pillowcase will reduce friction and prevent skin from creasing overnight. Additionally, keeping your bedroom cool and dark will help you to get deeper, more restful sleep. This will allow your skin to fully repair itself.
A good nighttime skincare routine will further enhance your skin’s recovery. Cleansing before bed will remove dirt and makeup that can clog up your pores.
Applying a hydrating serum or moisturizer afterward will help to replenish lost moisture. Also, retinol or peptides can be beneficial for stimulating collagen overnight. This will leave you with smoother, and firmer skin by morning.
Hydration is also key, so be sure to drink water before bed. You can use a humidifier in your bedroom to prevent dryness to your skin and keep it plump. You can also consider getting professional help from Elan Skin and Laser of Nashville, this is a great way to get glowing refreshed skin.
How Sleep Position and Environment Affect Your Skin
Your sleeping position can have a big impact on your skin’s health. Sleeping on your stomach or side will lead to repeated pressure on the skin. This will lead to sleep wrinkles over time.
Back sleeping is the best option if you want to minimize the compression on your face. Additionally, pillow hygiene is very important, so washing pillowcases frequently will reduces the buildup of oil as well as bacteria as this can lead to breakouts.
The sleep environment will also play a role in skin health as well. When a room is too hot or dry it can strip moisture away from your skin, and cause it to appear very flaky and dull.
Limiting screen time before bed will reduce the exposure that you get to blue light. Blue light can interfere with melatonin production which disrupts sleep quality.
