How Sleep Deprivation Can Cause Premature Ageing

We all know that sleep is important for our physical and mental health, but it turns out that sleep deprivation can also lead to premature ageing and the development of dark circles. Not getting enough beauty sleep at night can not only have you reaching for a second cup of coffee but also fatty and sugary snacks, which can be detrimental to the look and feel of your skin. In this article, we’re going to take a look at the connection between sleep deprivation and premature ageing and how to improve your quality of sleep.

Feeling Sleepy & Sugary Snacks

 When you have a bad night’s sleep, it’s not only fine lines and dark circles that might be starring back at you in the mirror but also pimples and breakouts. Research into sleep deprivation has found a link between feeling sleepy and craving calorie-dense and high-fat foods. While you might blame yourself for a lack of willpower, this behaviour is down to a chemical imbalance. Sleep deprivation causes spikes in the hormone ghrelin, which makes us feel hungry. But, when you enjoy a blissful night’s sleep, you’ll experience a balance between leptin, which suppresses appetite and ghrelin, which increases hunger, helping you to make better choices when it comes to your diet. So, how does this impact skin health? Well, a diet rich in sugar and fatty food can cause breakouts, and a low intake of fresh fruit and vegetables can deprive the body of key vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which can lead to premature ageing. 

Dark Circles & Puffiness 

If you’re waking up looking puffy with dark circles starting to appear under your eyes, you need to reconsider your sleep routine. Sleep deprivation can quickly cause eye bags the puffy and swollen dark circles that form around the eyes. This is because the skin here is very delicate and thin, which means the blood vessels are closer to the surface. Naturally, when you’re tired, the blood vessels will dilate, increasing blood flow. This dark undertone is more noticeable under the eyes. To combat dark circles and puffy skin, try to get into a regular sleep routine, with at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep at night. 

Premature Ageing Due To A Bad Nights Sleep

When you sleep, your body has a chance to repair itself, and this extends to skin cell renewal. During the night, growth hormones help to repair damaged skin cells, but sleep deprivation means your skin won’t have a chance to repair and replenish overnight. Since the skin provides an important barrier from external stressors such as environmental toxins and UV damage, this process is so important for your overall sense of health and wellbeing. From fine lines and wrinkles to dull and dehydrated skin, if premature ageing is a concern, it’s time to prioritize your beauty sleep and skincare routine. 

Regular sleep will help to improve the look and feel of your skin, as well as combat an uneven skin tone. Plus, when you feel rejuvenated and energized in the morning, you’re far more likely to nourish your skin with fresh fruit and vegetables and drink plenty of water throughout the day. This all helps to give your skin a youthful and more radiant glow.