From serums that offer instant results to ultramodern rejuvenating procedures to makeup that erase imperfections, the beauty industry teems with enhancers and guardians of pulchritude. And yet, the simplest and most primal route to beauty heads to your … bunk. A healthy dosage of sleep – between seven to nine hours – sets a cascade of internal processes that nurture the skin and hair from within. Haute Beauty unravels the natural mechanisms behind beauty sleep.

Human Growth Hormone and Collagen
In the early stages of shut-eye, the pituitary gland in the brain churns out human growth hormone into the blood stream. Restoring muscles and tissues, the hormone also prompts the formation of collagen, which sustains skin elasticity and vitality. Sleep deprivation hinders this restorative cycle, allowing for daily cell damage to accumulate and develop a sunken complexion with visible fine lines.

Blood circulation
Restful Zzz improves the blood flow, which boosts the delivery of oxygen to the skin. Thus, the clear, rosy cheeks in the morning. A dearth of sleep not only inhibits a robust blood circulation but also delays blood vessels, especially the miniature ones under the fine, thin skin around the eyes – the culprits for these stubborn dark circles.

Hydration
During sleep, the body recalibrates its hydration, reading any excess water to be flushed out the organism. When lack of sleep nabs the balance of moisture, puffiness surrounds the eyes and dryness parches the skin. A caveat is worth mentioning here – we perspire the most during spoor (portion of that additional water is sweated out). Hence, a flaky skin may require some assistance to maintain a healthy amount of H2O – think night creams and rich moisturizers.

Stress
Enough Zzz keeps the damaging stress hormone, cortisol, in check. A sleep shortage prompts a cortisol glut, which wreaks havoc on beauty. It spikes up inflammation in the body, which exacerbates such skin conditions like acne and eczema and compromises the immune system. Elevated cortisol levels thin out the hair and trigger its loss.

To increase the beauty benefits of sleep, adhere to these:
– Allow for seven to nine hours of shut-eye a day.
– Cleanse the skin to free it of any impurities and free radicals accumulated over the day, so it can properly restore overnight.
– Apply night cream or moisturizer or any other treatment to help your skin regain its hydration balance.
– Use linens and pillow cases with a high tread count to avert introducing any grime on the skin.