It’s no surprise, that with all the changes to our day to day lives, home schooling, furlough, working from home, not having our regular personal care treatments, irregular sleep patterns etc, that we are picking up some bad habits which, if left unchecked, could cause problems for our future health confidence.

Having healthy skin, hair and nails, not only looks great, it makes us feel amazing. It shows us that our bodies are working effectively from the inside out and equally when our hair, skin and nails are not at their best, we not only lack confidence and want to hide away, but we also need to listen to our bodies, as these can be warning signs of possible underlying health conditions too.

One of the most common problems we are seeing, that has a huge impact on not only how we feel, look and cope with day-to-day life – is poor sleep patterns or sleep deprivation. People who suffer with anxiety often report problems with sleep. Since the onset of the pandemic many more people have reported issues with sleep – this might be due to worry, stress, lack of routine, changes in eating habits, lack of exercise, work pressure, family life and health. As well as the physical effects – it can also have a huge impact on our skin and how it functions.

Lack of sleep and irregular sleep patterns have a detrimental effect on our skin and how it functions, as nighttime is when our skin naturally rebuilds and repairs. Sleep deprivation prevents an increase in blood flow which the skin would normally receive and results in drab, grey, ashen looking skin.

With good blood flow during a good nights sleep, toxins and fluids are drained leaving clearer skin and the production of collagen and elastin are increased, to give you that smooth bright, firm complexion.

Problems with inflammation can also be higher in sleep deprived clients due to the increase in cortisol levels. This stress hormone can cause outbreaks of acne, eczema and psoriasis. The dark circles around the eyes are the most common tell-tale signs of a bad night sleep which is also caused by the stress hormone.

If you have noticed a change in your skin, any new problems or concerns, like dryness, dark circles, breakouts? Consider whether your sleep patterns have changed? Could there be a link that’s worth checking out?

Getting into good restful, regular sleeping patterns will have an immediate impact on your skin. Using a great skincare regime will help up to a certain point, but, in conjunction with a good night sleep, will maximise the benefits of skin health and appearance.

Having a good bedtime routine will prepare you for a more restful night to come. It may include:

• A relaxing bath
• Drinking plenty of water to ensure you are well hydrated
• A good skin care regime, ensuring your skin is not only clean, but hydrated and moisturised
• A cool bedroom temperature
• Avoiding blue light from devices before bed
• Avoiding alcohol and caffeine immediately before sleep
• Meditation
• Massage and relaxation techniques
• The use of aromatherapy oils including lavender, sandalwood, rose geranium, frankincense and myrrh can all have a calming effect on our body and minds.

A positive 20 minute nighttime routine might help make all the difference to the quality of your sleep.

A real treat not only to help you sleep, but also for your hair and skin at night might be to purchase a silk pillowcase. Silk is gentle on the skin and doesn’t snag your hair. The friction from cotton and other materials can cause inflammation on spot prone skin and remove more moisture from hair causing more dryness. The super soft, lightweight and non-irritating surface of silk means no dragging on the skin causing more wrinkles and lines when you wake up or super frizzy hair getting more tangled, giving you that bed head in the morning.

Quality sleep aids healthy glowing skin. If you need any specific advice – feel free to give me a shout.

www.radiance-hairandbeauty.co.uk