CosBeauty Magazine #81

Wellness
A
recent Australian study
showed two out of every five
adults are not getting enough
sleep. While each person’s requirement
is individual, adults typically need
between seven and nine hours of ‘shut
eye’ per night.
Sleep is vitally important to
our physical health and, without
adequate sleep, we are more
susceptible to cold and flu infections
and more likely to develop certain
cancers as well as heart disease.
Lack of sleep also impacts our
productivity and ability to perform,
because it impairs our capacity to
think and learn. Additionally it is
associated with numerous mental
health issues, including a fivefold
increased risk of depression.
Obesity, one of the most
troublesome health issues we face
today, is also linked to our lack of
rest. When we are ‘sleep deprived’,
the profile of our appetite hormones
changes, making us feel hungrier and
encouraging us to eat more. Sadly,
even though we consume more
calories, our metabolic rate may
drop by as much as 10 per cent – a
combination that quickly results in
weight gain.
Sleep and the skin
Good quality deep sleep is vital for a
healthy complexion. Sleep is the only
time in each 24 hour period that the
body gets a chance to rest, restore and
repair. During deep sleep the body
secretes Human Growth Hormone
(HGH), which plays a key role in
healing cells and tissues throughout
the body, including skin. Not getting
enough sleep cuts that crucial repair
time short, which can wreak havoc
on the complexion.
The idea of ‘beauty sleep’ is well
supported by research. In a Swedish
study, both men and women were
consistently rated as healthier
and more attractive when well
rested compared to times of sleep
deprivation. This may be because
not getting enough sleep reduces
the skin barrier’s ability to keep
moisture locked in, leading in turn to
dehydration which is known to make
fine lines more noticeable.
Dehydration can also trigger
the classic sign of sleep deprivation –
dark circles under the eyes.
The complexion may appear paler
than normal because the blood
vessels in the face are not as ‘full’.
As there is a lack of sufficient time
for regeneration, the likelihood of
dead skill cells sitting on top of the
skin is increased – and so the skin
can appear duller than usual.
Moreover, during sleep our skin
behaves differently. Because the body
does not have to work at keeping skin
protected from daily environmental
assaults (such as UV rays, free radicals
and other noxious stimuli) it gets the
opportunity to repair, rest and restore.
Good sleep restores the skin’s vitality,
allowing more radiance the next day.
Not getting the required amount
of sleep can also cause problems with
your skin. Lack of sleep is stressful to
the body and causes more cortisol to
be produced. Cortisol production is
normally very low during the night
hours, but sleeplessness increases
night-time cortisol levels. This in turn
increases the production of sebum, a
natural oil that lubricates the skin.
When too much sebum is produced
it can lead to blockages, and pimples
and/or acne may appear.
During sleep, the body’s goal is to
repair damage from the day’s pollution,
sun and stress, as well as to hydrate.
As new skin cells grow more rapidly
during sleep, a good evening facial
routine should be a high priority –
and a hydrating product at night will
help maintain the skin’s hydration
throughout the sleeping period,
leaving skin plumped and hydrated in
the morning. But remember without
sufficient sleep, evening skincare
products can only go so far. CBM
www.cosbeauty.com.au 63