Does An Extra Hour of Sleep Slow Down Ageing?

The first thing most people do when they see visible signs of ageing is to reach for creams and serums that promise to reduce lines, wrinkles and take years off their face. In fact, such products are so popular that they account for over 40% of total sales in the cosmetics and beauty market – more than any other product.

The question is, do non-medical anti-ageing products really offer the anti-ageing benefits they claim? Or is it simply beautiful packaging and celebrity endorsements to get us to part with our cash? Unlike medical anti-ageing products which have scientific data to back up their efficacy, there are doubts about the effectiveness of cosmetic anti-ageing products.
But, not to worry – there’s another solution to help fight the signs of ageing, and it costs nothing – its sleep!
A study conducted in 2013 revealed that ageing can be accelerated by lack of sleep. With early development of fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes. But how exactly does extra sleep help to prevent the signs of ageing?

When we sleep, our body increases the production of Growth Hormone. Growth Hormone produced during periods of rest help to rejuvenate and repair our bodies, to help us heal from injuries, illness and normal wear and tear. This also includes our skin, and most skin cell regeneration also occurs at night when we are asleep.

According to the study, there are set times at night when our body clock focuses on regeneration of our hair and skin. These processes normally occur between 11pm and 3am, when the body is in REM (rapid eye movement) stage of the sleep cycle. So the recommendation is to go to sleep before 11pm, and get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

So, sleep could well be the anti-ageing formula we’ve all been looking for. Given the apparent anti-ageing benefits of a good night’s sleep, we should all strive to get more shut-eye each night.