Beauty Sleep is No Myth!

Lights Out For A Prettier Morning

In the fairy tale, “Sleeping Beauty” waits in slumber for her prince to land the all-important kiss that will awaken her. When he finally does, she looks perfectly rested and refreshed. The moral of the story? If you want to look great, get your shut eye. During sleep, human growth hormone (HGH) surges. HGH is important for, among things, the production of collagen.

Moreover, as you move through your sleep phases, free radicals that are considered health-risk instigators are dissolved in your bloodstream. During these hours of complete rest, your cells have time to replenish, and even regenerate or repair. Even one night of lost sleep shows up on your face.

In a 2010 study, individuals were asked to assess the appearance of those who were well rested versus others who hadn’t slept. The researchers reported, “Our findings show that sleep-deprived people appear less healthy, less attractive and more tired compared with when they are well rested.” So... lights out for a prettier morning.

Collagen and Growth Hormone

Early in the nighttime sleep cycle, people typically have a surge in growth hormone. This period of deep sleep, stages 3 and 4 sleep, contributes to what people call "beauty sleep" as secretion of growth hormone helps repair and rebuild body tissues like muscle and bone. Many of the body’s tissues also show increased cell production and slower breakdown of proteins during deep sleep. Since proteins are the building blocks needed for cell growth and for repair of damage from factors like stress and ultraviolet rays, deep sleep is truly "beauty sleep."

NOT FEELING AS BEAUTIFUL AS SLEEPING BEAUTY? SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION