Does Sleep Affect Acne?

I realized the other day that I am always tired, like super tired! Every morning alone is a battle just to get out of bed, and when I get in the shower I sway around because I’m still half asleep. I know why though, because I go to bed usually around 11-12 sometimes later and I’m always tossing in turning during the night, and then I have to wake up early every morning as well. I never thought much of how it could be affecting me until after reading an article about sleep that I realized my sleep routine have been like this for years. The article talks about something called sleep defecit which is when you keep depriving your body of sleep continuously after a while you will begin to lose your strength and concentration, and all the other things that help you get through a day will become weak or dull too. It can effect your health, well being, and things like your skin!


So I thought that this could definitely be a viable reason for acne, and I’m going to try it! I’m going to try my hardest to be in bed by 10pm every night and sleep for a full 8-9 hours and see if any significant changes happen to my skin.

I really suggest that you read this article and ask yourself if you’re getting enough sleep?

“Most teens need about 8½ to more than 9 hours of sleep each night. The right amount of sleep is essential for anyone who wants to do well on a test or play sports without tripping over their feet. Unfortunately, though, many teens don't get enough sleep.

Why Aren't Teens Getting Enough Sleep?

Until recently, teens were often given a bad rap for staying up late, oversleeping for school, and falling asleep in class. But recent studies show that adolescent sleep patterns actually differ from those of adults or kids.

These studies show that during the teen years, the body's circadian rhythm (sort of like an internal biological clock) is temporarily reset, telling a person to fall asleep later and wake up later. This change in the circadian rhythm seems to be due to the fact that the brain hormone melatonin is produced later at night for teens than it is for kids and adults. This can make it harder for teens to fall asleep early.

These changes in the body's circadian rhythm coincide with a time when we're busier than ever. For most teens, the pressure to do well in school is more intense than when they were kids, and it's harder to get by without studying hard. And teens also have other time demands — everything from sports and other extracurricular activities to fitting in a part-time job to save money for college.

Early start times in some schools may also play a role in this sleep deficit. Teens who fall asleep after midnight may still have to get up early for school, meaning that they may only squeeze in 6 or 7 hours of sleep a night. A couple hours of missed sleep a night may not seem like a big deal, but can create a noticeable sleep deficit over time.”

The rest of the article can be found here: http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/wellbeing/how_much_sleep.html#

Happy sleeping!

-jpc