More Sleep Means Healthier Skin

To enjoy healthy skin, you need a healthy, rested body. While a classic cliché, beauty sleep is a real concept that has a basis in actual science, not just folksy wisdom. Our skin care doctors in Wilsonville at Valley View Dermatology want patients to know that a good night’s sleep does more than just help you feel more rested. Your skin also uses the time you’re asleep to heal itself from any damage it received during the day.

The process of sleep stimulates the body into a period of recovery. The more rest the body receives, the more time you provide to allow that recovery to take place. Unfortunately, many people struggle to find the time to sleep at least seven hours a day. But if you can find the time to add just one or two more hours to your nightly sleep schedule, the benefits your body will receive will make that time a worthy investment.

Let’s take a look at a few of the ways getting more rest at night can help to make you look and feel your best.

Less Breakouts

The more sleep you receive at the night, the clearer your skin.

The body becomes stressed when deprived of sleep, which stimulates it to produce cortisol, the so-called stress hormone. High levels of cortisol in the body can lead to a variety of health complications, but studies have also found that cortisol can work to block facial pores, leading to an increased number of pimples and blackheads.

One study of college students found that the participants experienced more breakouts during times of high stress – such as during midterms and final exams – than during any other part of the year.

So, if you want to enjoy clearer skin, you may need to consider getting a few more hours of rest a night.

Eyes That Shine

If you want eyes that shine, you can’t let dark circles that detract from their appearance to develop. While our skin care doctors in Wilsonville know that dark circles can run in families, not getting enough sleep at night can make eyes already prone to developing bags appear even darker.

In addition to getting more rest, another option for concealing under eye bags is to hide them. Try applying a light layer of eye cream as a primer. Next, dab on and blend in a concealer that’s one or two shades lighter than your natural skin tone.

More Even Skin Tone

Staying up late stresses out your skin, which needs that time during sleep to repair any damage it has received. Additionally, sleep encourages healthy blood flow to your skin. Without improved circulation, your skin will appear blotchier or paler than you might appreciate.

You’ll Look More Rested

When you feel tired you often look tired. The body needs rest to rejuvenate, and a lack of sleep will cause your skin to appear blotchy, worn, and less youthful. This is why your coworkers, friends, and family can all tell when you feel tired, because it shows.

In fact, when Swedish researchers asked a study group to compare pictures of sleep-deprived people with pictures of people who’d received at least eight hours of sleep, those in the rested group were viewed as healthier, less tired, and more attractive.

Get the Most Out of Your Sleep

In addition to getting more sleep, you can also take a few steps to help prime your body to get the most out the rest it receives.

If you have a tendency to snack late at night before bed, consider skipping the salty snacks. Salt causes the body to store excess water, which often leads to your face looking puffy and swollen the next day.

While storing excess moisture isn’t ideal, you do need to stay hydrated to look your best. Your body needs enough water a day to properly function, and your skin is no exception. Make sure to drink enough water throughout the day that you don’t need to drink much before bed so as to avoid late night trips to the bathroom.

 

Healthier, more youthful looking skin starts with getting plenty of rest. If you have any questions about what a good night’s sleep can for your body, feel free to ask our skin care doctors in Wilsonville during your next visit to Valley View Dermatology.