How many hours’ sleep does my skin need?
[vc_row rt_row_background_width="fullwidth" rt_row_content_width="default" rt_row_style="default-style" rt_row_height="" rt_column_gaps="" rt_row_shadows="" rt_row_paddings="true" rt_row_borders="" rt_bg_effect="classic" rt_transparent_bg="false" rt_bg_image_repeat="repeat" rt_bg_size="cover" rt_bg_position="right top" rt_bg_attachment="scroll" rt_bg_layer="" rt_bg_video_format="self-hosted"][vc_column rt_col_paddings="true" rt_wrp_col_paddings="false" rt_column_shadow="" rt_border_top="" rt_border_bottom="" rt_border_left="" rt_border_right="" rt_border_top_mobile="" rt_border_bottom_mobile="" rt_border_left_mobile="" rt_border_right_mobile="" rt_bg_image_repeat="repeat" rt_bg_size="auto auto" rt_bg_position="right top" rt_bg_attachment="scroll"][vc_column_text]Skin, like the rest of your body, needs to rest to work properly and deliver optimal performance. That’s why it’s so important to get enough sleep, as it will provide your skin with the chance to organise and structure itself each day.Skin requires this phase of reduced basal activity to favour cell synthesis of the regenerative layer found at the deepest dermal level.
What happens to my skin when it doesn't rest?
Our body’s rest cycles when we sleep are needed to use energy and nutrients to structure our skin. During the day, the dermal layers focus on their essential function of acting as a physical barrier for our body. Skin doesn't grow; it defends itself. But at night the body harnesses the reduction in activity to focus on tissue regeneration and of course this happens not just in the body but also in the skin.
Not getting enough rest shows in your skin, which will look duller and be prone to intercurrent inflammatory processes. The consequences for the skin of not getting much sleep are as follows:
- Appearance of bags: eyelid oedema becomes evident when we haven't had enough rest because vascular drainage isn't performed correctly.
- Skin loses intensity: skin loses its shine and pores dilate.
- Increased irritability: and that’s without considering our mood, which also becomes more irritable.
- Hormonal changes occur: cortisol levels rise and there is a subsequent reduction in the concentration and synthesis of the elastin fibres which provide elasticity and firmness to the skin.
- Reduction in collagen synthesis: sleep is essential to the body's hormonal balance and lack of it causes a smaller amount of growth hormone to be released. This hormonal reduction influences the production of collagen.
How many hours does my skin need?
Although it’s true that rest needs depend on each person, generally speaking an adult should sleep between 7 and 8 hours a night. An individual’s characteristics also vary by age group.
Another factor that determines our sleep requirements is the concentration of melatonin in the blood. The balance between light and dark defines the concentration of melatonin that flows in our blood vessels. This plays a direct role in the number of hours of sleep our skin will need to perform its physiological functions properly.
What do we recommend for a better night's sleep?
- Adjust your habits: you should always go to bed at around the same time so your body gets used to it and hormonally adjusts its needs. Stimulants like caffeine and alcohol can negatively impact the first phase of entry into sleep cycles.
- Boost your state of relaxation: there are home remedies that will help you relax, a fundamental part of sleeping and resting properly. For example, have a warm drink or shower with mild products.
- Sleep in a pleasant setting: use sheets that are nice to touch, such as cotton or linen. The room temperature should be around 22-23ºC and you should avoid high levels of humidity.
