Get your Zzzzz's for Youthful Skin

A good night's sleep is the first step to youthful-looking skin.

Most women are familiar with the concept of "beauty rest." The adage reminds you that getting adequate amounts of sleep contributes to a beautiful, youthful look.

But how accurate is that? Is it a secret beauty tip passed down from generation to generation, or is there science-based evidence that shows that sleep influences appearance?

According to dermatologists, sleep has a direct impact on the quality and health of a person’s overall appearance. Sleep is when your body’s cells regenerate and repair from the damage it received throughout the day from normal activities such as exercise and sun exposure.

On the other hand, inadequate amounts of sleep can also have intense effects on a person’s appearance. Lack of sleep slows the reproduction of cells. Your ability to regenerate and heal from microscope damage lessens with decreased hours of sleep.

You can attribute slowed cell production to that unsightly appearance (that all people eventually experience at some point or another) such as puffiness, bags, or dark circles under the eyes. Poor sleep patterns are can also be responsible for breakouts, and skin discoloration.

So how much sleep is needed to reap all the benefits of a healthy sleep schedule?

Doctors recommend that adult women ages 21 up receive 7 - 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. Sleep is vital to health and without enough of it your body takes a physical toll. If beauty rest is vital, then what should ladies who find it difficult to fall asleep do? Psychologists at the American Psychological Association (APA) suggest setting a bedtime routine. A bedtime routine trains the brain to sleep after receiving consistent and reliable signals from the environment (such as a warm shower or cup of tea). Simply put, a bedtime routine helps the brain wind down at night.

The routine should consist of a habitual sequence of soothing actions that lead to falling asleep such as a shower, followed by brushing the teeth, and then a book in bed. There are many options for bedtime routines, and you should choose one that works well with you.

Not sure what you should include in your bedtime routine?

Look out for my post on how I wind down for bed at night.