How does sleep affect your skin?

By Dr. Rishabh Raj Sharma, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Noida International Institute of Medical Sciences College & Hospital (NIIMS)

Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining good health and well-being. Getting enough sleep is essential for emotional well-being, weight management, mental health, blood pressure, diabetes, and improved skin health. The quality and quantity of sleep directly impact the appearance, texture, and overall health of the skin.

Sleep is important for skin health in several ways, some of which are as follows:

• Collagen Production: Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It is the main building block of skin, muscles, bones, and other connective tissues. Sleep helps the body produce collagen. Not getting enough sleep can lower collagen production which leads to wrinkles and sagging skin.

• Skin Cell Regeneration: During deep sleep, your body repairs and regenerates skin cells. Sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier as inadequate sleep can disrupt the process of regeneration which leads to a dull complexion. Proper sleep repairs the damaged skin cells and produces new cells.

• Reduce Inflammation: While sleeping, your body reduces the production of stress hormones including cortisol. High cortisol levels can increase inflammation and cause redness, acne, and irritation. Adequate sleep can reduce inflammation and contribute to healthy and even-toned skin by lowering cortisol levels.

• Hydration: Sleep is essential for maintaining the hydrated skin. As our body rests, it works to maintain ideal fluid balance. Improper sleep can lead to dehydration which results in dull, dry skin, dark circles under the eyes, and a rough texture. Quality sleep is essential to retain moisture and strengthen the skin barrier.

• Dark Circles and Puffiness: Improper sleep can result in dark circles and increased puffiness under the eyes. Being sleep-deprived for a long period dilates the blood vessels under the eyes and these dilated blood vessels become darker which in turn causes dark circles.

Sleep deprivation for an extended period can accelerate the aging process. Over time, it can result in increased skin sensitivity, worsened acne, redness, and a dull complexion. Poor sleep quality can reduce the skin’s ability to recover from environmental damage caused by excessive exposure to UV radiation and dry air.

Sleep is as important as diet and exercise. It is essential for maintaining healthy and glowy skin. Consistently getting enough quality sleep can improve skin appearance.

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