HEALTH TALK: “Beauty sleep” does have its benefits

Dr. Victor Emanuel MD
Dr. Victor Emanuel MD

Most of the ensuing discussion will be applicable to women, which does not mean that we men don’t benefit from beauty sleep. It just seems, for whatever reason, that women are generally more particular about their faces. And why not? That’s what we men first notice about them. And that’s why, at least in part, they spend so much time and money on their faces, not just to please or attract men, but to feel good about themselves. So, let’s get to it.

FASTER-HEALING SKIN

“Beauty sleep” is real. Your skin uses sleep to heal itself from the day’s damage. When you drift off, your skin gets the chance to improve. That’s why you may wake up looking fresh and rosy.

FEWER BREAKOUTS

The more sleep you get, the clearer your skin. Lack of sleep can lead to stress, which can cause pimples and blackheads, even in adults. One study found that university students had more breakouts when they were stressed out, such as around exam time.

BRIGHTER EYES

If you want eyes that sparkle, don’t let dark circles steal their spotlight. Dark circles are often hereditary, but they can look darker if you’re not getting enough shut-eye. To disguise them, apply a light layer of eye cream as a primer. Then dab on and blend in a dot of concealer one or two shades lighter than your skin tone.

EVEN SKIN TONE

Staying up all night can make your skin look blotchy. And if you’re Caucasian, more pale. Sleep encourages healthy blood flow to your skin. If you wake up with uneven skin, apply foundation. Set it with translucent powder (or green-tinted powder to balance out redness).

YOU LOOK “BETTER”

For sure, sometimes you may feel fine running on fumes, but your friends, family, and coworkers are apt to notice. In one study, a group was asked to look at pictures of sleep-starved people vs. ones who’d had eight hours. The well-rested people seemed healthier, less tired – and more attractive.

OUTSMART PUFFINESS

You wake up with puffy eyes because fluid collects around them when your head lies flat on the bed. Solution: Prop your head above your heart at night with a couple of pillows. If you’re still getting bags under your eyes, apply a cold cloth to the area for a minute or two in the morning.

SKIP THE SALT

If you’re a night owl looking for a snack, reach for a piece of fruit. Salty snacks can give you a swollen face in the morning. That’s because foods that are high in salt can cause you to retain fluid, resulting in puffiness.

MAKE WATER YOUR NIGHTCAP

A glass of wine might seem relaxing, but you’re more apt to see dried out skin and large, visible pores in the mirror the next day. Cut back on nightly drinking and have lots of water instead. In the morning, use a toner that contains zinc sulphate or alum, which makes pores look smaller.

A GREAT PM SKIN ROUTINE

To keep your face smooth and soft, start with a mild cleanser to remove grit, grime, and makeup. Next, apply moisturizer. To keep delicate areas hydrated overnight, doctors advise using eye cream that contains glycerin and a petrolatum-based lip balm.

A WARM BATH

One of the best ways to put yourself to sleep can improve your skin too. Take a warm bath – with all the trimmings, like bubbles, oils, and body scrubs – before bed to raise your body temperature a little. You tend to feel sleepy when your body temperature drops, like after a bath.

RETINOIDS WORK BEST AT NIGHT

Retinoids – skin products with Vitamin A – are one of the gold standards when it comes to smoothing out wrinkles. Use them at night because they can make your skin more sensitive. Using a retinol during the day may lower your tolerance to sunlight and cause redness and marks on skin.

SLEEP FACE UP FOR FEWER WRINKLES

If you know anyone with a flawless face, she may be a back sleeper. Sleeping with your face directly on the pillows often leads to lines and creases in the skin. They can become permanent over time. If you can’t  sleep belly up, try switching to satin sheets (or at least satin pillow cases). That may lessen your odds of sleep-related wrinkles.

COUNT YOUR FINGERS (AND TOES)

Your nighttime routine might focus on your face, but don’t forget your fingers and toes. Dermatologists suggest applying a moisturizing Shea butter cream or a healing ointment on your hands and feet at night. To help your feet absorb cream, wear socks to bed (depending on the weather, of course).

Sleep well, beautify yourself.

See you next week.

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5 Comments

  1. sweety
    November 2, 2013

    Great as always. Thanks for the tips doc.

  2. ............
    October 24, 2013

    Doc you know quite a bit about makeup i see.

  3. Anonymous
    October 24, 2013

    Very informative article. I certainly didn’t know it was bad to snack on salty foods at night. I always look forward to these articles.

  4. Mary Black
    October 24, 2013

    Good article for those who do not know. I have been doing all of these for a few years and it surely work. No one believes my age.

  5. papa met!
    October 23, 2013

    great article!

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