This Is How Sleep Makes You Beautiful

We've all heard the phrase 'beauty sleep'. Why did the term come to be and is there actually any truth it in? We all differ in our sleep hygiene—some say five hours is enough while some swear by eight to be able to function properly. Some think that sleeping at 2AM is no different from sleeping at 10PM. Some think this whole concern about proper sleep is a myth, so we got down to the facts and asked an expert to shed light on the question in our minds: does sleep really make us beautiful? How so?

When it comes to skincare and beauty in general, what often immediately comes to mind are the cosmetics we apply on our faces. Yes, good quality skincare products, beauty clinic visits, and makeup techniques play a huge role in our beauty routines, but we are here to prove that proper sleep is the ultimate key in achieving beauty. We spoke with licensed dermatologist Dr. Jarische Lao-Ang, known as @thedermamamaph on Instagram about her thoughts and insights on the matter. 

She shares, "Having enough sleep is often an overlooked factor when it comes to taking care of our skin. adequate sleep is important for the skin’s renewal and regeneration. It is the time wherein not just the body but also the skin rests and repairs itself."

She goes on to share, "The hormone melatonin is produced during sleep and this is a powerful antioxidant. Being an antioxidant, it fights away the stressors and this prevents premature aging." Who knew that antioxidants aren't just found in what we commonly know like berries but in melatonin as well? This in itself already makes us want to catch up on more ZZZs!

Dr. Lao-Ang says that it's not about the quantity of sleep but the quality as well. "When it comes to adequate sleep, it is not just important to look at the hours of sleeping, but the sleep quality is crucial as well." What then is the right time to sleep? How many hours is crucial? What else determines the quality of sleep? According to Dr. Lao-Ang, 9PM to 11PM is the time that skin repair and renewal starts; cell production, melatonin, and collagen production happens within this time frame. So if you're still out partying at 11PM regularly, then you better think twice about your habits. Getting to bed at 1AM often just doesn't cut it.

Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland in response to darkness", Dr. Lao-Ang shares. This is why we're always reminded to get off our phones and laptops a few hours before bed—because blue light triggers our minds to think we still need to be awake even if we're about to doze off. The secretion of melatonin doesn't just have antioxidant effects, it may also help with repair growth. 

Do you ever notice that when you're sleep deprived or had a late night out (with a little too much to drink), your face looks haggard, your energy is low, and you're pretty much in a cranky mood the next day? It's not just a coincidence. It's science. Getting enough, proper sleep makes you well-rested, allows you to think and make better decisions, and, as a bonus, makes you look *glowing*! 

What then exactly is the effect of lack of sleep on our skin? Dr. Lao-Ang enumerates them, as seen below:

• Damaged skin barrier
• Decreased skin hydration
• Enlarged pores
• Increase in fine lines and wrinkles
• Stagnant blood flow leading to under-eye circles
• Increased inflammation leading to acne breakouts

While most of us actually want to sleep better and on time, there are barriers that come—some of which we can avoid, some we can't. While we can, let's avoid the sleep deprivation by keeping in mind what contributes to this:

• Drinking too much caffeine (usually after 2PM)
• Working late
• Afternoon naps that last too long
• Gaming, or binge-watching shows late at night
• Medical conditions like insomnia (consult your doctor or a sleep specialist if you suspect you have this)
• A cluttered bedroom that leads to a cluttered mind 
• Having your TV in the room, or having lights that are too bright at night
• Late-night snacking

Now that we know what causes sleep deprivation, it's time to remedy our sleep practices and harness the best of what it has to offer. Dr. Lao-Ang says that "Sleep experts' tip to know the best time to sleep is to start getting ready for bed between 9PM to 11PM, or know when you must wake up, go back seven to eight hours and add 15 minutes to allow your body to fall asleep."

She also shares that sleep position is crucial for beauty sleep. Ideally, we sleep face up so that we avoid the development of sleep wrinkles, but if we're used to being side-sleepers, she advises us to use smooth silk pillowcases.

Ready to get your beauty sleep on? We've rounded-up some of our best sleep essentials to help you get glowing, starting tomorrow when you wake up! As Dr. Lao-Ang always says, "Get that beauty sleep for you to achieve glowing skin from within!"

Swipe through the gallery below:

Banner photos (woman) by kayvan jabbarian on Unsplash