GIVE IT A REST
Most of us think of sleep as a time when your body switches off, but actually, it is hard at work while you’re snoozing away. At night, your brain sorts through reams of information and data; it runs checks to ensure that the exquisite balance of hormones, enzymes and proteins is maintained; and your skin cells churn out growth factors to repair damage and maintain elasticity.
‘When you sleep, the skin repairs and rejuvenates itself,’ explains dermatologist and founder of Dermastore Dr Ian Webster. ‘Sleep repairs DNA damage, which is caused by pollution and UV light. While you sleep, your body encourages tissue repair and protein synthesis for proteins such as collagen and elastin. Collagen is the protein that gives you shiny hair and glowing skin.’
Studies have shown that a key factor in sleep regulation is the circadian rhythm (see our feature on page 60 for more) which ‘is influenced by light and the environment,’ says Dr Webster.
