Poor Sleep May Make Your Skin Age Faster
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – There are several factors that can make your skin age faster, but poor sleep might be one you hadn't thought of.
"It's the first study I've ever seen of its kind," said Dr. Brian Horvath of Horvath Dermatology.
The study from Case Medical Center involved 60 pre-menopausal women ages 30 to 49.
Based on a standardized questionnaire called the Sleep Quality Index, half fell into a poor quality sleep category.
Their skin was evaluated with ultraviolet light. Those who didn't sleep well had more fine lines, uneven color and less elasticity.
Sleep can impact other conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Which raises the question is it sleep or these associated issues that aggravate the skin?
"The poor sleeper group had increased body mass, a little bit more heavy. Maybe weight impacts skin-aging. So, it may not be just the sleep but other things as well," said Dr. Horvath.
As for known anti-aging strategies, you should wear sunscreen daily, use retinol cream at night to unclog pores and strengthen collagen, don't tan, don't smoke and don't inflame your skin with anything that stings or burns.
As for sleep, that's part of a healthy lifestyle that in general helps overall health, including the skin.
"Maybe if you're sleeping better, you'll have fewer wrinkles when you're older," said Dr. Horvath.
The study was sponsored by Estee Lauder and the findings have not been published, but rather presented at a dermatology meeting in Scotland. No one knows if better sleep might reverse the damage, or if it is indeed poor sleep that causes the damage.
