Lack of 'beauty sleep' might hinder your social life
Researchers say reduced attractiveness caused by lack of sleep may impact a person's social life.
(Online) - New research proves that there is such a thing as "beauty sleep," after finding that just 2 nights of poor sleep can make one appear less attractive and healthy to others.
Researchers found that reduced attractiveness caused by lack of sleep may impact a person’s social life; people may be less willing to socialize with individuals who fail to get enough shuteye.
Study co-author Dr. Tina Sundelin, of the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, and colleagues recently reported their findings in the journal Royal Society Open Science.
Sundelin and colleagues speculate that the effect of sleep deprivation on skin blood coloration may partly explain why poorly rested adults were rated less attractive and healthy.
"A healthy, attractive face is characterized by a certain degree of redness, which in turn is indicative of increased vasodilation and vascularization," they write.
"Blood flow to the skin is strongly promoted by sleep and this vasodilation may be a way for the body to facilitate the distribution of endogenous defense agents. With a lack of sleep, blood flow to the skin is reduced, and according to raters faces look more pale after not sleeping."
While further studies are needed to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effects of sleep deprivation on facial appearance, the researchers believe that their findings further highlight the importance of a good night’s sleep.
The authors conclude:
"This study indicates that restricted sleep affects facial appearance negatively and decreases others’ willingness to socialize with the sleep-restricted person.
It also adds to previous studies on facial appearance after sleep loss, showing that despite using a different scale, and a less substantial and more natural sleep-loss condition, the relationships between sleep, attractiveness and a healthy appearance still hold."
