Believe it or not, getting your beauty sleep is a real thing. When you rest, it allows your body to recharge, heal and repair itself. During sleep, blood flow is increased, collagen is rebuilt, UV damage is repaired and wrinkles and age spots are reduced. When you skimp on sleep, you end up doing your body a disservice and causing more harm than good. Sleep deprivation has both short- and long-term effects on your appearance and health.

At Dermatology Associates of Atlanta, we have seen our fair share of clinical problems caused by lack of sleep. We want to help make you aware of what can happen to your skin if you continue to toss and turn at night and offer a few solutions.

After just one poor night of sleep, the effects already begin to show physically in the form of hanging eyelids, swollen eyes, paler skin, dark undereye circles and wrinkles and fine lines. A few nights in a row of poor sleep can not only make the skin worse and harm your body, but it can also have negative emotional effects as well. This can lead to you feeling more stressed which can lead to even more physical concerns.

Lack of rest can also deprive your skin of moisture and cause the pH levels of your complexion to decrease which can result in your skin appearing less youthful and more dull. When your pH levels drop, the skin struggles to produce the moisture it needs to keep your skin hydrated and refreshed. This can lead to dry skin, redness, unevenness, acne breakouts, and inflammation. Using certain skincare products and vitamins for this issue may help to curb these effects and improve your pH levels. You should always speak to your provider before you try these methods. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this is not a replacement for adjusting your sleep schedule.

While we have emphasized the importance of getting enough sleep, there are other steps that you can take before bed to help you maximize your long-term skin health. In addition to sleeping enough, we recommend washing your face before bed, using a moisturizer before you sleep, keeping water on your bedside table, using a skin-friendly pillowcase, and keeping the room dark while you snooze. Some people may find listening to ambient noise, meditating, or reading before bed helpful.

Beauty sleep is essential. If you find yourself struggling to get enough sleep every night, you may have already started to notice negative changes in your appearance. To learn more about the correlation between sleep deprivation and unhealthy skin, book an appointment with Dermatology Associates of Atlanta today. Additionally, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information about our skin care and dermatology services.