Many girls, especially those from the city, have the habit of staying up until the wee hours of the night or even until the next morning. There are so many reasons why girls today stay up late, it could be because they are working in night shifts, hooked on a DVD marathon, clubbing to see their favorite DJ’s, or if they are parents, attending to their babies.

Effects of sleep deprivation

Whatever the reason is, one thing is for sure: depriving one of sleep causes damage to the skin. According to dermatologists, short-term lack of sleep causes little harm, but do it frequently and it may lead to serious health and skin problems like dark circles around the eyes. The area around the eyes is the skin’s most fragile part, and even eye care treatments and products cannot reverse all the damage caused by sleep deprivation.

Skin care tips for the sleep-deprived

• Plan ahead

For those who know that they have a full day ahead, it will do them good to plan in advance. Wake up early to avoid staying up late. Make advance preparations so cramming will not be an option.

• Eat a healthy dinner

Sleep deprivation makes the skin lose water and nutrients, hence, make sure to take a dinner that is high in Vitamin C and collagen or take two tablets of Vitamin C. Avoid taking alcoholic drinks as these would hinder the skin from absorbing nutrients. Spicy food and seafood can also cause skin sensitivity, so women with sensitive skin should keep these foods at a minimum. Keep on drinking water all throughout the night to keep the skin hydrated. If possible, take soy milk or fresh fruit juice.

• Keep your skin moisturized

Moisture can maintain the skin’s gloss and elasticity, so if it lacks in moisture, it will be very dry and rough, thereby accelerating the appearance of wrinkles. People who stay up late lose skin moisture, so they should drink more water before going to bed.

There are two reasons that can lead to moisture shortages: improper care and environmental factors. Those staying up late should not only keep themselves moisturized through using skin-nourishing products. They should also maintain moisture in their surroundings through proper ventilation.

• Clean your body

The skin generally comes to its maintenance state from 10 to 11 p.m. so it is better if people could sleep during this time to help the skin absorb nutrients. If they cannot go to bed during this time, they can instead use the time to clean their bodies. It is advisable to use skin-cleaning products like mild soaps. Apply a nutrient-rich moisturizing lotion after cleaning. These steps can promote faster nutrient absorption and metabolism in the skin, thereby minimizing the damage sleep deprivation can cause to the skin.

• Minimize noise, coffee and alcohol

It is generally not advisable for women to keep on staying up late for parties or for work. The skin also needs to be calmed, and to do so, girls who are staying up late should stay away from noisy areas or refrain from drinking too much alcohol or coffee, which can contribute to the formation of eye bags or dull skin.

• Use natural remedies to prevent eye bags

Those who want to prevent pouches or dark circles around their eyes may use a cotton swab, dip it in brine, and apply the dipped swab into the eye’s underlying skin. Apply the swab with pressure. They can also use a tea bag or a gauze packed with tea leaves and compress this around the eyes to cool the skin.

• Seize opportunities to cool down

If women are staying up late in a public environment, they should take advantage of opportunities to go to the bathroom, wash a handkerchief with running water, and apply it to the face, especially around the eyes, cheeks, neck, and temples, for about three to five minutes. This will help moisturize the skin and relieve fatigue.

Remember that sleep is vital for our body as the body rebuilds its cells and tissues and restores its energy during sleep. Sleeping also renews and restores the skin, as well as reverses the stress and harmful effects brought about by daily living.

Hence, getting enough sleep, at least eight hours a night, is beneficial to both the skin and the health. It helps improve the skin’s overall texture, making it achieve a new glow.