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Everyone has heard that an adult needs to sleep 7-9 hours a day. A night’s rest of this duration was dubbed by experts as a “beauty sleep”. And this is not just a figurative expression. The benefits of such a dream for appearance have been scientifically proven.
According to the Karolinska Institute, two nights of sleep less than 7 hours is enough to start looking less attractive. The researchers asked 25 students, girls and young adults, to get good sleep for two nights in a row.
The fulfillment of the experimental conditions and the quality of sleep were recorded by special devices. The subjects were then asked to limit themselves to 4 hours of sleep over the next two days. In both cases, photos of the participants without makeup were taken.
Next, 122 other people had to evaluate the appearance of the subjects and answer the question if they would like to meet one of them. Naturally, the sleepy versions received higher attractiveness ratings on a scale of 1 to 10 and far more “date requests.”
A tired person looks unhealthy. And its appearance can activate the mechanisms that protect us from communicating with the sick. This is how the instinct of self-preservation works.
Dr Gayle Brewer, Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Liverpool and Fellow of the British Psychological Association, says that “judgment of attractiveness is often unconscious, but our opinion of a stranger immediately deteriorates if he looks tired or unwell. This study is a good reminder of the importance of sleep.”
“Sleep is the main source of youth,” confirms Michael Breus, Ph.D., a sleep specialist. – At night, your body recovers, comes to its senses. If you sleep less than 6 hours, it is immediately reflected in the appearance. You look several years older. Start getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night, and within a couple of weeks, people around you will notice positive changes.”
6 reasons to sleep better and longer
1. Less wrinkles
The skin produces new collagen during sleep. “This is an important part of the recovery process,” says Patricia Wexler, a New York City dermatologist. – The more collagen, the more elastic your skin and the less likely the appearance of wrinkles and sagging facial contours. In addition, due to lack of sleep, the skin becomes dry, and this also leads to premature formation of wrinkles.
2. Radiant complexion
During sleep, blood rushes to the face, and the blood supply to the cells improves. It is worth not getting enough sleep, as the complexion becomes gray and lifeless. “Someone who sleeps little may not even dream of a healthy attractive blush,” concludes Dr. Michael Breus.
3. Cheerful look
“Dark circles and puffiness under the eyes are the first symptoms of sleep deprivation,” says Doris Day, professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center. – Start getting enough sleep, and the bags under the eyes will disappear by themselves. It is better to sleep on a high pillow. This reduces puffiness in the face.
With dark circles, the story is more complicated. They may be genetically determined or signal health problems. But still, a good sleep will help to significantly lighten them by stimulating blood circulation.”
4. Strong hair
Hair loss, increased fragility and poor growth can also be the result of lack of sleep. Hair follicles receive the necessary substances, vitamins and trace elements from the blood. And if the blood flow deteriorates, as with a lack of sleep, the hair becomes weak. “In addition, stress and fatigue cause an increase in the hormone cortisol, which causes hair to fall out,” says Dr. Michael Breus.
5. Healthy appearance
“After a sleepless night, we tend to frown and wince more,” says Dr. Doris Day. – The corners of the mouth crawl down, the eyes turn red, the complexion becomes pale or sallow. By all these signs, others may think that you are sick or physically exhausted.
This can lead to self-esteem issues or difficulties at work. No one wants to entrust a responsible task to a tired employee. Not to mention inviting him to important business negotiations.
6. Skin care products work more efficiently
At night, skin cells regenerate most actively, because they do not have to deal with protection from free radicals or UV rays, as during the day. And active blood flow helps to extract the maximum of useful substances from the formula of creams.