We know that we don’t feel very good after a poor night’s sleep but did you know that how you look to others is affected? A small study in the journal Sleep has shown that other people think those who are sleep deprived look sadder.

The weary look of red, puffy eyes, dark circles, droopy eyelids and more wrinkles was spotted in photos of people who had photos taken after 8 hours of sleep and then again after going 31 hours with no sleep. “Since faces contain a lot of information on which humans base their interactions with each other, how fatigued a person appears may affect how others behave toward them” said study researcher Tina Sunderlin. “This is relevant not only for social interactions, but also official ones such as with health care professionals and in public safety.”

Recently a study paid for by cosmetic company, Estee Lauder, showed that being sleep deprived can make your skin age faster.

There are lots of reasons for not getting enough sleep or for getting poor quality sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is a frequent cause of poor sleep.

Obstructive sleep apnea causes the sleeper to stop breathing during sleep, constantly disrupting their sleep rhythms as they briefly wake to gasp for breath. The loud snoring and gasping also makes sleep impossible for their bed partner.

Find out more about sleep apnea and see if you are a candidate for treatment using an oral appliance.

Contact Columbus sleep apnea dentist Dr. Mark Levy today at 614-476-6696.