We all know that sleep is essential for overall well-being. But is that also the case for hair? The answer is yes.
Lack of sleep impacts many bodily mechanisms, and hair is no exception. When rest is insufficient, the body functions less effectively, which can also be reflected in hair health.
Why does sleep play a role in hair?
Hair functions according to a three-phase cycle: the anagen phase (growth), the catagen phase (transition), and the telogen phase (shedding).
Sleep helps keep this cycle balanced and stable. During the night, the body regenerates cellular tissues, rebalances certain hormones, and supports functions essential for the proper functioning of the hair follicle.
In other words, getting enough sleep directly contributes to an environment more favorable for growth.
Night, a key moment for regeneration
During sleep, cellular renewal is activated, including at the scalp level. It is during this period that tissues repair and regenerate themselves.
Therefore, sufficient sleep allows the scalp to function under better conditions, which helps hair grow healthier and more regularly.
What lack of sleep can cause
Insufficient sleep can promote several internal imbalances: increased stress, inflammation, hormonal disruptions, and decreased immunity.
Why? Because lack of rest increases the production of cortisol, the stress hormone. High levels of cortisol promote inflammation and hormonal disruption. Lack of sleep can also weaken the immune system because it is during the night that recovery and defense mechanisms are put in place.
All these factors can disrupt the hair cycle and weaken the hair in the long term.
Hormonal balance plays a major role in hair health, for both women and men.
This is because hormones act directly on the hair follicle, as follicles have hormone receptors. Concretely, this means that they "receive" signals sent by certain hormones and adapt their functioning accordingly. These signals influence the duration of the growth phase, the growth rate, sebum production, and even follicle size. When unbalanced, hair can grow thinner, remain in the growth phase for less time, or enter the shedding phase more quickly.
What evening routine should you adopt?
In general, sleeping between 7 and 9 hours per night remains the most common recommendation for quality sleep.
To promote better sleep, a good evening routine can help: reduce screen time before bed, avoid heavy meals just before bedtime, maintain regular hours, dim the lights, and create a calm environment, for example with candles.
A few minutes of breathing exercises, gentle stretching, or meditation can also help release the pressure accumulated during the day and improve sleep quality.
It seems simple, but it is often underestimated. Taking care of your sleep is also taking care of your hair.