Healthy sleep for your beauty

Does it sound familiar to you, too? After a too short night, the first look in the mirror is not exactly fun: dark rings under the eyes, puffy eyes, and pale cheeks are the outcome of missing sleep. But, why does our skin look pale and tired after sleep deprivation?

The inner clock of the skin

Our inner clock is important for several physical functions like blood pressure, metabolism and body temperature. Our skin has to adapt to different situations during the day so it, too, is subject to the circadian rhythm. During the day, the skin protects from UV radiation, heat, germs, pollutants etc. Furthermore, our skin protects our body from injuries and moisture loss. During the night, our skin cells regenerate.

What is happening during the beauty sleep?

During sleep, our skin increasingly concentrates on regeneration instead on protecting. Due to the release of certain hormones, cell repair and cell renewal take place. Here, especially the sleeping hormone melatonin as well as the anti-aging hormone somatropin play important roles. Melatonin acts as radical catcher and is responsible for cell protection and cell renewal. Somatropin on the other hand, cares for cell repair.

During the night, our body temperature slightly decreases. Heat dissipation takes place via the skin. This leads to an increased skin circulation which results in a fresh, rosy complexion the following morning. Also, our muscles relax during sleep, so even our smallest capillaries are well supplied with blood. Thus, our cells are supplied with sufficient oxygen and nutrients.

A healthy skin needs sufficient and healthy sleep

For the regeneration processes not only the sleep duration is decisive but also the sleeping quality. The release of the growth hormones mainly takes place during phases of deep sleep. It becomes visible on our skin when these phases are disturbed: instead of a fresh, glowing skin a look in the mirror reflects a thin, pale skin and dark rings.

Increased lack of sleep and sleep disturbances negatively affect elasticity, resistance and moisture content of the skin. And this leads to a saggy, pale and lifeless skin. Wrinkles and lines become more visible.

Healthy lifestyle – healthy complexion

Besides a genetic predisposition, the lifestyle, too, influences skin aging. A healthy lifestyle leads to a younger and more attractive appearance. Proper sun protection, adequate fluid intake, a balanced nutrition, regular exercise in fresh air and especially sufficient high-quality sleep support a healthy complexion.

In this spirit, enjoy your beauty sleep! Find useful hints for your beauty sleep here.

Imagesource: @Hotel Post Achenkirch