Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to medical problems like diabetes, cancer and obesity but a new clinical trial shows that poor sleep ages our skin.

The study was conducted at Case Medical Center and funded by Estee Lauder and showed that poor sleepers had increased signs of skin aging and their skin recovered more slowly from environmental stresses like sun damage. People who were poor sleepers also had a worse assessment of their own skin and appearance.

“Our study is the first to conclusively demonstrate that inadequate sleep is correlated with reduced skin health and accelerates skin aging. Sleep deprived women show signs of premature skin aging and a decrease in their skin’s ability to recover after sun exposure,” said Dr. Elma Baron, director of the study.

The health of our skin is important and not just because healthy skin makes us look better. Our skin protects us from environmental toxins and DNA damage from the sun. Sleep has been shown to be vital to the growth and renewal of the body’s immune and physiological systems and now we know that a good night’s sleep will help keep our skin health and young as well.

Poor sleep can be caused by many things but obstructive sleep apnea is one cause that is dramatically under-diagnosed and one that can cause more serious health consequences than prematurely aging skin. Untreated sleep apnea is linked to stroke, heart attack and premature death.

Treating obstructive sleep apnea using an oral appliance is a comfortable and simple solution to this sleep breathing disorder.

Sleep apnea oral appliance in Columbus

Find out more by contacting Dr. Mark Levy today at 614-476-6696 to schedule your consultation.