Warning: When Sleep Drops Back, Wrinkles Rush In
We may all have suspected this, but now researchers are confirming what loss of sleep does to our faces. It adds a big helping of wrinkles.
To reduce wrinkles, they suggest moving on from the wrinkle potions and going right to the source, getting enough sleep.
Easy Health Options featured a British study that had one group sleep six hours, and one eight hours. Then they photographed their faces and asked them how they felt. The results showed lack of sleep increased wrinkling by 45 percent. Brown and red spots and skin bacteria also jumped by ten percent.
The real culprit is the loss of collagen, the tissue that supports the skin, and is produced during sleep. To effectively repair skin cells and avoid wrinkles, enough sleep and enough collagen is absolutely essential. Collagen is really the heart of the skin's structure, creating a fiber network of strength and elasticity. Getting enough sleep is vital to keeping the collagen on board working for you.
How To Fix Sleep First
Just like drinking enough water, I think most of us always intend to get more sleep. But then late work sessions, surprise parties, and numerous other distractions just seem to have a mind of their own.
If you know you would feel better with more sleep, and now you suspect you would look better too, start remodeling your sleep routine. Shoot for a regular routine every night. Make the bedroom a sleep haven with dark curtains, soothing colors and no other distractions. Skip spicy food, alcohol, and lots of screen time right before bedtime. If this does not quite do it, keep working on the idea with a new mattress, pillows, yoga sleep routines, meditation or other soothing ways to wind down. I think you will find the results are worth the effort.
Prevention Helps Too
WebMD posts a whole list of wrinkle fighters, starting with sunscreen to cut sun exposure, sunglasses to protect eyes and avoid eye wrinkles, no smoking, and lots of water. They also note sleep lines on the chin, cheeks or forehead can show up from sleeping on a pillow.
Also, yoyo dieting and binge eating can sabotage the skin. Try to hold weight loss to a pound a week and avoid binge eating. As a counter, load up on tomatoes, carrots, leafy green vegetables and almonds to get the vitamins that protect the skin from sun damage, and help to maintain and repair skin tissue.
Looking your best and feeling your best may be easier than you thought with good sleep habits, healthy eating and some key prevention tips.
If you have skin issues that continue, see your doctor to resolve questions and get additional assistance.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Paulo Philippidis