Sleep and Hair Health

Sleep and Hair Health

Getting the recommended 7-9 hours of quality sleep every night is vital to maintaining a full and healthy head of hair. Sleep is the time our body gets to repair and better itself – and it does this through countless processes that occur during the different sleep cycles. These numerous sleep cycles promote the stem cell activity that generates the epithelial cells required for hair growth. Not only is sleep necessary for the protein synthesis of your hair, it is also the time our body releases numerous hormones that are responsible for maintaining healthy locks. Hair growth is regulated by hormones and these hormones affect how much hair grows, how long it grows for, and type of hair that grows. Not receiving the proper amount of sleep will affect your production of growth hormone and other hormones like androgens, which have a direct effect on hair growth.

When trying to improve your hair’s health, it is also important to look at the impact of sleep on your stress levels. There is increasing evidence that suggests that stress negatively impacts the hair follicle and growth cycle, which consequently leads to unhealthy hair growth and loss. During deep sleep, your brain produces chemicals that order your body to stop production of stress hormones. And, when you don’t receive the proper amount of quality sleep, your body boosts its production of these stress hormones. The result is a vicious cycle of sleep loss and stress that causes the growth of unhealthy hair as well as hair loss.

Improve Sleep and Rejuvenate Your Locks

Unfortunately, getting a good night’s sleep is something most of us struggle with. Here are a few tips to help you get a full and restful sleep every night:

● Try aromatherapy: Essential oils like chamomile, lavender, and ylang-ylang have a calming effect on the mind and body. Add a few drops of the oils to a diffuser and, while in bed, focus your mind on the feelings of relaxation that are induced.

● Begin a bedtime ritual: Before bedtime, do something ritualistic that relaxes you. Wrap up in some blankets with a hot cup of herbal tea and a good book or soak in a bath of Epsom salts and lavender oil. Whichever relaxing ritual you choose, do it every night at the same time before bed and your body will become programmed for sleep!

● Turn of blue-light emitting electronics: The blue-light emitted by electronics causes your brain to resist a state of restfulness. It’s best to turn off all electronic devices 1 hour before bedtime to promote relaxation and ready your brain for sleep.

We all need to sleep, so why wouldn’t you make the most out of your sleep time by ensuring it improves your physical and mental health? Not receiving enough sleep will cause you to suffer from hormone imbalances and increased stress levels that cause an overall degradation of your health and beauty. Whether you want to rejuvenate your lackluster locks, stifle hair loss, or simply protect your hair for the future, receiving a good night’s sleep may be the “miracle” that you’ve been searching for.

 

By Stephanie James