Sleep is crucial because this is when the body produces human growth hormones, melatonin, and collagen which are all essential for younger, healthy-looking skin. But at some point, we have all been guilty of neglecting sleep.

Sleep deprivation has a lot of short-term and long-term consequences. Not can it only be detrimental to your physical health, but it can also wreak havoc on your skin.

Affects Collagen Production

Collagen is a vital ingredient that helps keep the skin healthy. When you miss out on some sleep and become sleep deprived, this applies stress to the body. Loss of sleep can break down your collagen which causes the skin to become thinner and less firm. Also, the lack of collagen affects the skin’s elasticity and structure leading to increased wrinkle appearance, inhibiting growth factors, and decreasing the skin’s thickness.

Dehydrated and Dry Skin

Not getting enough zzz’s will decrease the moisture level of your skin and imbalances your pH levels – this causes the skin to look aged, drier and dull. The body naturally rebalances its hydration and recover extra moisture during sleep – this helps smoothen wrinkles on the surface. Being sleep deprived will lower your complexion’s pH level and moisture levels. If you miss out on sleep, your skin doesn’t get the moisture it desperately needs, which leads to drier skin.

Dull Skin

The body releases a stress hormone called cortisol when you don’t get enough sleep. Being sleep deprived increases your cortisol levels which triggers inflammation and breaks down the body’s natural collagen. Inefficient blood flow also occurs which means there’s a lack of oxygen in the system, which in turn causes skin pigmentation.

Breakouts

Lack of sleep imbalances the pH levels and moisture, and increases the production of sebum. More sebum causes new acne to form. Sleep deprivation also increases your insulin which in turn increases your sugar levels and eventually leads to more acne growth.

Puffy Eyes and Dark Circles

The skin under your eyes is much thinner, which means blood vessels are nearer to the surface. Not getting enough sleep causes the blood vessels to dilate. This increases the blood flow in the area and the dark tint is what appears to be the increased volume of blood under your eyes. 

Other thank dark circles, sleep deprivation causes eye bags which give the appearance of swollen, puffy under-eyes. Your sleeping position can also have a contribution to this. When you lie down on your stomach, your body liquids can find its way under the eyes which leads to inflammation and puffiness.

Saggy Skin

Lack of sleep affects the satiety hormones which is responsible for the feelings of hunger. Additionally, it can limit a person’s physical activity. Both of these lead to weight gain which in turn causes saggy skin in some parts of the body. The skin on the neck and chin, in particular, is more likely to be stretched because of subcutaneous fats finding its way in these areas.

Double chin and sagging jowls can be the after effects which are both hard to get rid of. But non-invasive treatments such as Fat Freeze and Belkyra are well-known to effectively remove unwanted fats and tighten the skin at challenging areas.

Click here to learn more about these treatments.

Wrinkles

Lack of collagen and sleep are the culprit for wrinkles and fine lines. If you don’t get enough sleep, the body isn’t able to produce enough human growth hormone, which stimulates cell production. Without enough time to produce new and fresh cells, it damages your skin and may not get fixed. It encourages skin aging and produces less collagen.

Sleep is vital for the nourishment and growth of both your body and skin. Not getting enough sleep will strip your body off the essential nutrients your skin badly needs to maintain its health and suppleness. So do yourself a favor and make sure you get at least eight hours of sleep every night!

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