A Bad Night's Sleep Is Wrecking Your Skin

So you don't sleep well.  You get to bed late, routinely wake up at 3am, and you toss and turn most of the night. You feel chronically exhausted and burned out. You may think this lack of sleep is taking a toll on your health - and it is. And since skin reflects the overall health of the body, lack of sleep is taking a toll on your complexion as well.  According to a recent study, sleeping less than 6 hours a night for a few days increases the appearance of wrinkles.

Sleep loss can lead to lackluster skin, fine lines, and dark circles under the eyes. When you don't get enough sleep, your body releases more of the stress hormone cortisol.  In excess amounts, cortisol can break down skin collagen, the protein that keeps skin smooth and elastic.  The most interesting thing this study found is that you don't need to be sleep deprived for years or even months for these detrimental effects to occur. After just 5 nights of poor sleep, research participants had up to double the amount of fine lines and wrinkles; and up to three-quarters more brown spots in the form of dark circles under their eyes.  Click HERE to read more about the study, including before and after photos. 

Even more reason to see your acupuncturist ASAP - not only can we help you get a better night's sleep, we treat the underlying reason for your insomnia.  People who receive regular acupuncture report overall better quality of sleep, more energy, and a lighter and brighter outlook.