How much sleep do you get on an average night? Did you know that 35.2% of adults get less than seven hours of sleep each night?
We all know that eight hours of sleep is the recommended amount we’re supposed to get, but if we don’t, how does this lack of sleep affect us? For those who strive to look their best, getting sufficient sleep must be a major priority since it affects many aspects of your overall health and aesthetics. Discover why there is more truth to the idea of beauty sleep than you may realize.
Why Do We Have To Sleep?
Many of us have had wild nights where we forego sleep for a night of partying with friends. While sleep can be cheated in the short term, your body’s need will eventually catch up with you.
Although it’s easy to joke about skipping a night of sleep, the truth is, it’s no laughing matter. Those crucial hours when you’re sleeping are when the body repairs cells, muscles, and tissue, and when your most vital survival systems like the heart and brain get their much-needed recovery time. When you realize how critical sleep is for your overall health, it’s easy to see how it’d have a major effect on your outside appearance as well.
How Are Sleep and Beauty Connected?
The number of ways that sleep correlates to your looks is remarkable. From your hair to your feet, a consistent sleep schedule can completely improve the appearance of just about every part of your body. Explore four of the most powerful ways that getting adequate sleep can improve your appearance.
Lack of Sleep Can Cause Hair Loss
Have you ever run your hand through your hair only to find that it’s not as thick as you remember, or worse yet, it’s falling out? If you care about the luster and volume of your hair, ensuring that you’re sleeping enough may be more valuable than any specialty shampoo. That’s because one of the surest ways to lose your hair is to neglect your need for sleep.
Dr. Francesca Fusco, Scalp & Hair dermatologist, elaborates on why sleep is so vital for the health and volume of your hair.
“Sleep is important for protein synthesis of your hair, as well as proper release of growth hormone and other hormones.”
Our hair needs these crucial proteins to look its best, so next time you’re considering pulling an all-nighter, think of your hair, and how much less of it there may be if you don’t sleep.
Not Sleeping Enough Can Ruin Your Smile
When women were asked about the most important trait that determines effectiveness, a stunning 71% agreed that a person’s smile was their most attractive trait.
We all know that caring for our teeth is a matter of brushing and flossing each day, but there’s something else we can do to keep our smiles looking great: Sleeping. There are various ways that getting enough sleep takes a toll on your smile, including:
- You produce more plaque later at night, so it’s wise to avoid late night eating.
- Going to sleep stressed can lead to teeth-grinding at night.
- You produce less saliva while sleeping, leaving your teeth vulnerable to plaque.
- Sleeping less than 6 hours a night increases chances of gum disease.
The good news is that forming a relationship with a dentist like Dr. Wael Borham of Las Cruces, New Mexico can keep your smile strong, healthy, and looking its best. From the bruxism problem to gum disease, all of these dental conditions are highly treatable – all you have to do is ensure that you’re getting your beauty sleep.
Acne and Skin Conditions Are More Likely When Not Getting Sleep
Remember how sleep is the time your body uses to rebuild the cells and tissue? This includes your facial appearance, as insufficient sleep can leave its mark on your skin in a variety of ways.
Cortisol and Inflammation – How Poor Sleep Can Cause Acne
When you receive a fraction of your normal amount of sleep, it can cause your stress hormone, cortisol, to surge when it shouldn’t be. Ultimately, this excess cortisol will lead to increased inflammation in the body, a condition which paves the way for skin disorders such as acne.
The Main Culprit is Inflammation Caused by Lack of Sleep
Missing even one night of sleep can increase the inflammation of your facial tissue. Inflammation is a state that sets the stage for other problems to develop. In this case, it makes acne far more likely. Therefore, it’s safe to consider a full night of quality sleep as one of the biggest preventers of acne and skin blemishes.
Bags Under the Eyes Are the Result of Not Sleeping
Someone with bags under their eyes is unmistakable: They seem tired, droopy, and like they need a few more hours of rest before starting their day. It’s an interesting fact that not only can lack of sleep cause these under eye bags, but too much sleep can produce them as well. Further complicating the issue is that your bags may not have anything to do with sleep at all, since there are numerous other causes.
Getting Rid of the Bags Under Your Eyes
Tips for preventing bags under your eyes and keeping them away include getting sufficient sleep, not oversleeping, and using one of the many homemade treatments that are known to be highly effective. These range from cucumber slices to teabags, and each works to diminish the appearance of those unsightly bags under your eyes. In addition to getting eight hours of sleep per night, using the proper treatments will enhance your vibrancy and make them brighter.
Sleep Truly Has a Deep Connection to Our Appearance
Much like eating, drinking, and breathing, sleep is a vital function that is absolutely necessary for a healthy body. Neglecting any of these processes is sure to have an affect on your appearance, and sleep is no exception. From bags under the eyes to unwanted acne, there are many cosmetic problems that can be solved or prevented by simply getting enough hours of sleep on a nightly basis.
Nicholas Napier is a Navy Vet and MBA living in San Diego. He works as an SEO specialist and writer while hosting the Rogue Writers Podcast. His interests include philosophy, fitness, nutrition, and martial arts. For inquiries, email Nicholas.
