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Are you sleeping in yesterday’s make up? Studies show that about 1/3 of woman are on a regular basis. Whatever reason you have to be sleeping in your makeup, here are some reasons you should consider to help break the habit.

Throughout the day, your face goes through a lot of damage. It is at night that this damage is naturally repairing. If your face is still covered in a layer of makeup, the healing cycle cannot take place. Foundations and thick primers are the worst to sleep in. They leave the skin dull and cause blackheads and acne.  If you’re suffering from acne, either from sleeping in makeup or naturally, you can take a look at our acne treatment options.

Having makeup still on while you’re sleeping exposes your skin to free radicals in the environment.  A free radical is any atom or molecule with a single unpaired electron in the outer shell. This causes it to be highly reactive. The free radical theory of aging (FRTA) states that organisms age because the cells accumulate free radical damage. Sleeping in your makeup attracts these free radicals to the cells on your face causing them to age prematurely. This leads to wrinkles, age spots, and a breakdown of healthy collagen. Don’t be upset if this damage has already occurred, here at Contour Dermatology we’re the best at injectibles and fillers and we would love to have a consultation with you to help.

Makeup can become impacted in the pores if left on while sleeping. This will literally stretch your pores making them bigger. On top of them being bigger, they are being filled with old makeup. This attracts bacteria that cause acne. If your collagen levels are already declining from the free radicals, you won’t have enough healthy collagen to help your pores bounce back to the size they should be. This makes them more visible and more easily clogged.

Even just sleeping in eye liner and mascara can be harmful. As your eyes rub against your pillow, flecks of mascara and eye liner can get in your eyes leaving them irritated. This can clog the tiny hair follicles and oil glands on your eyelids also causing irritation and inflammation. Sleeping in mascara could damage your eye lashes, as well.

Hopefully after reading this you know that no matter how much you love your makeup, to never go to bed with it! It will not be worth the morning after you’re in for.

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Dr. Timothy Jochen Medical Director, Contour Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Center
Dr. Jochen specializes in Mohs Surgery for skin cancer removal, facial rejuvenation including cosmetic laser technology, Botox® and facial fillers, soft tissue augmentation, leg and facial vein treatment, tumescent liposuction and hair restoration/transplants.

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