Healthy Matters
Resources
  • Healthy Matters
    Drugs A-Z
    Pharmacist Tips | Dosages | Side effects
  • Healthy Matters
    Food & Nutrition
    Nutritionist Tips | Facts | Precautions
  • Healthy Matters
    Chinese Medicine Herbs
    Practitioner Tips | Dosages | Side effects
  • Healthy Matters
    Chinese Medicine Prescriptions
  • Healthy Matters
    Expert Advisory Board
Articles
  • Healthy Matters
    Specialists Guide
  • Healthy Matters
    Other Services Guide
  • Healthy Matters
    Vaccination
  • Healthy Matters
    Parenting Guides
Health Topics
  • Healthy Matters
    Allergy & Immunology
  • Healthy Matters
    Baby & Child's Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Beauty
  • Healthy Matters
    Bone & Muscle Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Cancer & Tumor
  • Healthy Matters
    Common Illnesses
  • Healthy Matters
    Digestive Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Eye Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Fitness
  • Healthy Matters
    Food & Nutrition
  • Healthy Matters
    Heart & Vascular Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Infectious Diseases
  • Healthy Matters
    Medical Tests
  • Healthy Matters
    Mental Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Pregnancy
  • Healthy Matters
    Respiratory Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Sexual Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Skin Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Urological Health
  • Healthy Matters
    Women's Health
Healthy Offers
Health Check
  • Basic Health Screening for $1600 (Original: $3,120)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Premier Health Screening (Female) for $4,500 (Original: $9,120)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Premier Health Screening (Male) for $4,200 (Original: $8,760)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Stroke Risk Assessment for $7,100 (Original: 9,430)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Cardiac & Coronary Assessment for $5,800 (Original: $8,330)
    Trinity Medical Centre
  • Bone Health Screening for $1,600 (Original: $2,990)
    Trinity Medical Centre
Eye Health
  • Myopia Control Assessment for Children : Privileged Price - HK$400
    Clarity Eye Centres
  • Comprehensive Eye Examination Plan for Adult - HK$500
    Clarity Eye Centres
  • Comprehensive Eye Examination Plan (For SMILE PRO) - HK$400
    Clarity Eye Centres
  • Comprehensive Eye Examination Plan (For ICL) - HK$580
    Clarity Eye Centres
Healthy Matters
Search All
  • Healthy Matters
    Doctors
    Specialty | Address | Phone number
  • Healthy Matters
    Clinics
    Opening Hours | Address | Phone number
Popular Locations
  • Healthy Matters
    Central
  • Healthy Matters
    Tsim Sha Tsui
  • Healthy Matters
    Mong Kok
  • Healthy Matters
    Causeway Bay
Healthy Matters
General Practitioner
Related Locations
Health Topics > Beauty

Does Beauty Sleep Exist? Yes, And Research Proves it!

Last Updated: 2022-03-22

2 min read

woman beauty sleep

We've had promises that expensive caviar, sheet masks and professional facials will make us into the most beautiful versions of ourselves. But what if the most effective beauty remedy was actually free? Sleep! We checked in with the latest research to share some of the beauty benefits of pillow time.

 

Sleep and attractiveness

A study conducted in 2010 in Sweden asked strangers to rate photos of 23 participants on attractiveness after both a good and bad night's sleep. The photos taken of participants after a poor night's sleep were rated less healthy, less appealing to hang out with and less attractive. From an evolutionary perspective, humans are disease-avoidant. Tired people look unwell and they're more susceptible to illness so we find them less attractive.

 

Sleep and aging

Researchers in a 2014 study found that individuals who regularly slept well – between 7 to 9 hours – had significantly lower clinically-validated skin aging scores than poor sleepers. When we sleep, the body experiences an increase in growth hormone release, thought to be associated with the fasting state the body enters overnight. Growth hormone helps maintain the skin's collagen matrix, giving the appearance of youthfulness. 

Take care of your health
Get the best tips. Sign up now!
Healthy Matters
Stay healthy. It's easy!

Sleep and recovery from sun damage

Skin cells have a higher rate of mitosis (or regeneration) at night so are better at recovering from adverse effects. Individuals in the 2014 study who slept well had better recovery 24 hours after exposure to ultraviolet light (mimicking sun exposure) than those who had slept poorly.

sun protection woman on beach
Health Information
Interview with Hong Kong Dermatologist John Yu on Sun Exposure and Protection

Dark circles and bags

Well, you probably knew this one. Lack of sleep causes the blood vessels under the eyes to dilate and they appear darker. The skin under our eyes is particularly thin so it's especially apparent here. Dilated vessels also sometimes leak fluid into the skin, causing it to appear puffy.

 

Helps control inflammatory skin conditions

The stress hormone, cortisol, increases inflammation in the body. One of the best ways to prepare against the stresses of everyday life is a good night's sleep. Without enough sleep, cortisol's inflammatory effects can cause flare-ups in acne, psoriasis, and general sensitivity.

skin problems when wearing mask
Healthy Lifestyle
Skin Problems When Wearing Masks: Dermatologist's Tips

Self-reported attractiveness

If none of the rest of the beauty benefits of sleep have you convinced, this one should do it. Researchers have found that the more sleep you have, the higher you rate your own attractiveness. 

 

Now, please excuse us while we slip into our pajamas… Healthy Matters is off to get our share of beauty sleep! 

 

SOURCES

Royal Society Open Science: Negative effects of restricted sleep on facial appearance and social appeal 

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology: Does poor sleep quality affect skin ageing? 

US National Center for Biotechnology Information: Brain-Skin Connection: Stress, Inflammation and Skin Aging

 


 

Looking for health insurance for yourself, your family or your team?

This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.

Healthy Matters

Your health resource, made in Hong Kong

Healthy Matters is Hong Kong’s leading health resource. Our mission is to help you make better health decisions and take control of your health.

 

Our team of experts is committed to producing reliable health content that is accurate, engaging and relevant, to cover your health & wellness journey from prevention to treatment.

 

Whether you are looking for trusted information on health conditions, wellbeing or looking for the right doctor or service in Hong Kong, we’re here to help!

 

Your health matters. Begin your health journey with Healthy Matters today!

 

Read about our story

illustrations of a doctor and a mobile phone