Sleeping Well Actually Helps You Look Well - Study Finds Link Between Beauty Sleep and Facial Appearance

We're all familiar with the term beauty sleep, but most of us think the effects of sleep-deprivation are minimal or temporary. A study by researchers at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center evaluated the skin of 60 women aged 30-49 years of age, and found that those who rated their quality of nightly sleep to be poor actually had increased signs of skin deterioration and aging. Their skin also showed a decreased ability to recover from environmental factors such as wounds and sun damage. 


Dr Elma Baron, the Director of the Skin Study Center concluded that "inadequate sleep is correlated with reduced skin health and accelerates skin ageing. Sleep-deprived women show signs of premature skin ageing and a decrease in their skin's ability to recover after sun exposure."

Using a skin aging scoring system, those women who suffered from poor quality of sleep also showed greater signs of skin aging such as fine wrinkles, uneven skin tone, greater degrees of hyperpigmentation, and poor skin elasticity. In some cases, they scored about twice as high on the ageing scale compared to the women who enjoyed better quality of sleep. 

Aesthetic professionals also encourage women to sleep on their backs, as there is evidence that side sleeping promotes skin wrinkling and loss of facial volume. 

For a closer look at the effects of sleep deprivation on the body, visit Healthline.com for an interactive infographic.

-- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email.