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Lack of sleep is damage to our skin The largest organ of the human body is
the skin. It protects our bodies from the environment, maintains body temperature, excretes waste
matter, gives sensory information to the brain and regulates body moisture. We think about our skin
more than any other part of our bodies, and we manifest that attention by investing our emotions
and about 6 to 20% of our disposable income into our skin (Lappe, 1996). It is worthy to consider,
then, how cosmetic products affect our skin. In this article the psychosocial impact of cosmetics
will be examined as well as why cosmetics are necessary deemed. The physiology of skin, how
cosmetics affect skin function and the effects of synthetic and natural cosmetic ingredients on the
skin, will also be considered.
The Psycho-Social Impact of Cosmetics  Our society is preoccupied with the
"culture of beauty" (Lappe, 1996) which includes the notion that our skin must always look young
and appear free from blemish. Our psychological well-being is often closely enmeshed with
perceptions of how our skin appears to ourselves and others. We define our self-image to include
the visible representation of our skin to others, so as a result, it has become the "primary canvas
on which our cultural and personal identity is drawn" (Lappe, 1996). Cosmetic companies set aside
concepts of natural beauty so that flaws such as large pores, fine lines and wrinkles are brought
to the fore, influencing our spending habits in pursuit of flawless skin.
In the animal kingdom, most male species are endowed with colourful physical attributes so that a less colourful, but wisely camouflaged female mate will be attracted to it. Humans do not have equivalent ornamentation, so women use cosmetics, specifically make-up, to decorate their faces to attract prospectives. As women we know that a lack of sleep leaves us irritable. However, most of us are unaware of the damage it may be doing to our skin. Besides being an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, getting 8 hours of sleep per night helps improve the texture and the luminosity of our skin. During the night the skin is restored from the harmful effects of daily stress. When we do not get the required sleep our skin suffers. This is especially noticeable in the fragile skin under the eyes. The under eye area is almost 50% thinner than the skin on the face. Sleepless nights leave behind fine lines, dark circles or puffy bags. Cosmetic treatments can soften the effects of sleep deprivation but preventive medicine is the best cure. Eye treatments are limited in their ability and cannot reverse the stress that a lack of sleep will do to the skin.  Sleep
experts say that we need 8 hours of sleep per night. However, the latest research shows that women
need on the average 6 hours and forty minutes of sleep during the week and 7 hours on the weekend.
Besides the extra work that women have enough to contend with - helping with homework, laundry,
cooking, etc. - and the many concerns that keeps them awake, women are also kept awake by small
children who wake during the night, teenagers coming home late, and aging parents who get up during
the night. |