Sleep deprivation causes skin aging
Research shows that not getting enough sleep will literally age you both inside and outside.
At University Hospitals Case Medical Centers, a clinical trial commissioned by Estée Lauder and conducted by a number of physician-scientists discovered that poor sleepers demonstrated increased signs of skin aging. They even noted that their own skin and facial appearance was significantly worse than those who slept well. In fact, leading researcher and dermatologist Dr. Elma Baron stated that “sleep deprived women show signs of premature skin aging and a decrease in their skin’s ability to recover after sun exposure”, and that those who didn’t sleep well displayed far more signs of skin aging including fine lines, uneven pigmentation, and reduced skin elasticity. Clearly sleep is crucial for our inner and outer wellbeing!
Sleep deprivation is the most dangerous epidemic that nobody talks about
More than a third of American adults are not getting enough sleep on a regular basis, according to the CDC. Not getting the recommended amount of sleep per day is associated with an increased risk of developing chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and frequent mental distress. On average, adults need at least 7-9 hours of sleep each night to encourage optimal health and well-being. As Chinese medicine practitioners, we are trained to diagnose health problems by observing a patients’ visual appearance (along with pulse, tongue diagnosis). Sleep deprivation does show up and will literally make you age faster. Insufficient sleep will increase hunger and appetite, compromise impulse control within the brain, increase food consumption (especially of high calorie foods), decrease feelings of food satisfaction after eating, and prevent effective weight loss when dieting.
Things you can do to improve your sleep starting today
Work on your sleep as if your life depends on it because it literally does. Here is what you can do to reverse the signs of aging before it is too late!
- Keep a regular schedule and wake up around the same time every day
- Keep your bedroom dark/wear a sleeping mask and cool (around 65-68F)
- Get at least 20 minutes of morning sun without sunglasses to set your circadian rhythm. After sun down:reduce exposure to bright light in the evenings.
- Practice a relaxing bedtime ritual, such as a cup of chamomile tea,reading a book or meditating. Avoid using alcohol as a sleep aid. Alcohol reduces the amount of REM sleep overtime.
- Avoid eating big meals within 3 hours of bedtime.
- Avoid or limit caffeine to mornings. The average half-life of caffeine is 4-6 hours.
Here is how we can help you get more quality sleep and reverse aging
Schedule a free consultation with us! Our downtown Santa Monica office is dedicated to help our patients with insomnia and anxiety relief. We specialize in diagnosing and fixing sleep issues naturally without any drugs. In fact, getting acupuncture for anything will make you sleep better because acupuncture releases endorphins and stimulates the parasympathetic (or rest and digestive branch) of the nervous system. During sleep the body repairs itself, regenerates tissue that was injured, and cleans debris from the brain. Our glymphatic system is responsible for this process. It launches into action during sleep and works like an all-purpose delivery and trash pick-up service for neurons. When you are deep asleep, cerebrospinal fluid in the glymphatic system courses along right next to the brain’s blood vessels, delivering vital supplies while getting rid of any unwanted debris. This is why it is so important to get the recommended amount of rest!
Not addressing insomnia will lead to degenerative diseases and a number of other serious health issues that will make your physical appearance the least of your worries. Insomnia is something that cannot wait and needs to be your number one priority. A new study reported by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine illustrates the effects that sleep deprivation has on facial features such as the eyes, mouth and skin. Not to mention the way in which these features function as cues of sleep loss to other people; faces of sleep-deprived individuals were perceived as having more hanging eyelids, redder eyes, more swollen eyes and darker circles under the eyes and was also associated with paler skin, more wrinkles or fine lines, and more droopy corners of the mouth. People were noted to appear sadder when sleep-deprived than after normal sleep, and sadness was related to looking fatigued. The visual cues of aging are body’s gentle reminders to help you take care of yourself. Let us help you battle this unspoken epidemic that has plagued the lives of millions especially during times like these.
Reversing the signs of skin aging with facial rejuvenation acupuncture
In order to get you feeling and looking your best, we offer facial rejuvenation acupuncture at Luna Body and Mind. The Mei Zen Facial rejuvenation acupuncture is a healthy anti-aging procedure that will help to rejuvenate your face and neck and reduce wrinkles and sagging. With this treatment, you can look younger, more radiant and energetic without surgery, neurotoxin and filler injections! How does it work? Our skilled practitioners (certified in Mei Zen style) will work on your face, neck, body and mind to achieve the best skin rejuvenation results. The face and neck points are needled to stimulate blood flow and create microtrauma that in turn stimulates collagen and elastic productions. Body and head points are also included to ensure optimal anti-aging effects that can be seen in skin tone, complexion and elasticity. Facial gua sha (stimulating facial massage using a rose quartz tool) completes the session–this massage promotes circulation, reduces eye bags, wrinkles and improves complexion. Taking care of your skin inside and out is crucial to our overall health and well-being.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is this: poor sleep can result in a wide array of severe health conditions and affects every aspect of your health negatively. Getting a good night’s rest is a biological necessity, not a luxury and it is definitely not something that we can afford to take lightly. Remember, sleep not only impacts your productivity, emotional balance, brain and heart health, and immune function, but it also affects your physical appearance such as your skin and weight. No other activity delivers so many benefits with so little effort! Call to schedule an appointment and let us help you with your insomnia troubles!