Lack Of Sleep Found To Cause Wrinkles

A new UK study has revealed the common ‘beauty sleep’ philosophy has scientific roots.

Do you recommend your clients include ‘beauty sleep’ in their at-home skincare regimes? If not, you should be.

A new study has found the side effects of getting less than eight hours of sleep a night are far greater than just making you feel hungover at work the next day.

The study, conducted by Benson For Beds, was carried out across the UK using 30 female participants who were all asked to sleep for just six hours a night for five nights. Each woman had her skin photographed and analysed before and after the test and the results were nothing short of striking.

The study results highlighted what we’ve long suspected about sleep and the ageing process – even small periods of less sleep lead to a general increase in the visible signs of ageing

The study results highlighted what we’ve long suspected about sleep and the ageing process – even small periods of less sleep lead to a general increase in the visible signs of ageing, including fine lines and wrinkles, which increased by 45 per cent in study participants, and breakouts, which also shot up by 11 per cent, while skin redness was also noted to be eight per cent more noticeable.

Source: bt.com
Puffiness, acne and fine lines – before and after the sleep study (Source: bt.com).

While these effects are reversible in the short term, repeated exposure to lack of sleep and the resulting high cortisol sleep deprivation causes can do irreversible damage in the long term (think increased age spots, acne flares and premature ageing).

as many as one in three Aussies struggle with getting a proper night’s rest.

“As a busy working mother, it is quite common that I don’t get the recommended seven to eight hours sleep per night. I have never really thought about how this might affect my skin… After taking part in this study I will certainly be prioritising getting a good night’s sleep,” study participant and supermodel Jodie Kidd said of the striking results.

Before and after the study: water retention and increased redness are common side effects of skipping a proper night's beauty sleep.  (Source: bt.com)
Before and after the study: water retention and increased redness are common side effects of skipping a proper night’s beauty sleep. (Source: bt.com)

The latest data from Roy Morgan suggests as many as one in three Aussies struggle with getting a proper night’s rest.

“Australians are not always getting the right amount of sleep and we need to make sleep one of our top healthy living priorities,” said Sleep Health Foundation chair, Dr David Hillman.

“Sleep is like a bank account. Everyday you draw on the balance and if you don’t deposit around eight hours a night you end up overdrawn.”

Have your say: Do you recommend a good night’s rest as part of your clients’ skincare regimes?

 

Leave a Reply

Back to top