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Ah, sweet sleep
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So the clocks turned back and we all got another hour of sleep. Guess what? That’s good for acne.
Lack of sleep is a huge physical stressor. It’s not just mental stress that can aggravate acne. Physical stress like overworking, overexercising, and undersleeping can also increase the symptoms of acne. Getting your eight hours, or however much sleep your body requires, is a great way to help keep your skin in check.
Working the night shift: Dr. Fulton, one of my big heroes in acne research has said in his classes, “I can get pretty much anyone cleared up, unless they work the night shift.” His comment has always stuck with me. While I have not had lots of experience with people who work the night shift, if his experience is correct, it is not just the amount of sleep that is important, but also when we sleep. Science has named our internal biological clock the “human circadian rhythm”. Melatonin levels rise sharply at night and fall during the day. Our hypothalmus and much of the rest of our bodies are hardwired to produce a natural rhythm of sleep and wakefulness.
So if you or someone you know works the night shift and can’t seem to clear up, this may be something to think about.
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I had a my second test in neurobiology covered the same info, about melatonin and the hypothalamus. Do you know which gland secretes the melatonin? lol…this is the nerd in me.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:35 am
Hey Dan, I have a question for you, are there any specific time at night that we should sleep?
November 4th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Amira, I don’t know which gland it is. Sorry.
Paul, I also don’t know the answer to your question.
If you guys find the answers out, please post them here!
November 4th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
I think it’s the pineal gland.
-Brandy
November 4th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
thats correct! the pineal gland. I was just bored and thought i’d see if anyone knew
November 4th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Is there research data on what % of acne prone people get affected by lack of sleep? I have been working night shifts since August. I go to sleep sometimes around 4 am or 5 am and will have to wake up by 10 am for the day. I might get slight flareups on my forehead, but my eyes definitely took a toll. I look like junkie during the day. LOL
November 4th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I think this is a great article to post Dan. I think I saw this article you posted before, and if so, that good idea for the repost because I don’t think people understand how important sleep is! When I first went on the regimen a year and a half ago my skin looked amazing, however, six months after going on the regimen I started to go out four or five nights a week and I would function on little sleep. While my acne was still pretty non-existent, I could tell that there was a noticeable difference from when I first started the regime. Now that I go out less and sleep more my skin is looking better so I know exactly what you mean in the article.
Thanks Dan!
November 5th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Oh my goodness– the other thing about sleep that can affect your skin is how clean your pillowcase is! Think about it, if your pillowcase is dirty (hasn’t been changed in over a week) you are resting your face for hours and hours and hours upon dirty, oily, contaminated surfaces. (The fabric of most pillowcases is absorbant, and is absorbing the oils from your hair and face, dead skin cells that slough off while you slumber, dust and grit in the air, and who even knows what else.)
You can take the best care of your skin possible during your waking hours, and then unknowingly sabotaging all your hard work by placing your pristine pores on filfthy surfaces for prolonged periods of time.
For literal “beauty rest,” I recommend changing pillow cases at LEAST once a week.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Hi,
I have been working nights for 11 years, and been using the products for two years. Honestly the only real problems I have is when I don’t follow the regimen as instructed! And no I don’t get as much sleep as I need it just comes with the territory, but if I do what I am supposed to do my face looks great, and I couldn’t be happier than that!
January 24th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Hi all,
I have suffered from acne all my adult life (now 39) and last year developed insomnia due to work pressures. I had a major relapse/flare in early Nov 09 and in the preceding month had been surviving on 3 or 4 hours a night of restless sleep. Stress and lack of sleep are a definite factor in my view and I guess your immune system takes a hammering at such times as I have had chest infections/colds over the christmas period up until now. Advise to everyone is try to get your life/work balance right. I have not and I have paid the price!
February 17th, 2010 at 8:36 am
I recently took a job at a hospital on night shift. I have NEVER had a problem with my skin. since working nights I am 33 years old and have the skin of a teenager going through puberty! I have tried different kinds of products and having no success.. I was glad to come across this site and realize what the real problem is. I am switching to day asap.
October 31st, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Hi! I am working night shift at a hospital from 7pm to 7 am. And I got a very bad acne. I have never had acne before. Few weeks ago I took vocation for 1 month. I went to bed at 9 pm and got up at 6-7 am without alarm clock. My acne went away completely! Now I am back to work and after 2 weeks of night shift my acne is back. I am waiting for my turn to get on day shift ASAP!
August 20th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
I had mild to moderate acne, then I took a summer job at Wal-Mart doing the 4pm-1am shift. I usually got to bed at 4am, five days a week. My acne turned severe, and I got new types of acne that I didn’t know existed until I read about all the types on this site. After summer, I quit and it became a lot better, although the scars are still there.