Ever fall asleep in your makeup? If you’re like most women, the answer is probably yes. While we all know that sleeping in our makeup is terrible for our skin, how bad is it, really? Listen to us: It’s bad. The May issue of Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, featured a story about an Australian woman who slept in her makeup for 25 years. The result? Tiny, hard deposits of mascara formed underneath her eyes that were scratching her eyeballs. Although this is an extremely rare situation, it serves as a good reminder of why you shouldn’t go to bed without washing your face.
Dr. Christy Walker, a dual-board-certified cosmetic surgeon and gynecologist in Plano, offers some less severe – but still scary – things that can happen when you don’t take proper care of your skin:
You’ll Get Acne. If you go to bed wearing makeup or without washing your face, dirt, pollution and dead skin cells are not removed. If these things stay on our skin and clog your pores, they can cause the development of blemishes. Not washing off your makeup can also worsen your existing acne.
You May Get a Rash. Since makeup often contains dyes, perfumes and other additives, leaving it on your skin for long periods of time could result in a rash and inflammation. Avoid a red or blotchy complexion by making sure you remove your makeup each night.
Your Skin Will Look Dull. Clogged pores plus dirt and oil are a recipe for dull skin. If you wake up looking less than bright, wash your face using a gentle scrub to exfoliate your skin and return a fresh appearance.
You’ll Age Overnight. OK, maybe not overnight, but sleeping in your makeup will make your skin look older faster. It will also cause you to develop wrinkles sooner. Premature aging occurs because dirt, makeup and environmental pollutants that don’t get washed away when you skip your nightly face-cleansing routine cause damage to the skin’s protective barrier.
Are you seeing signs of premature aging because of not washing off your makeup, or because of sun damage or any other reason? Contact Dr. Walker today for a consultation about your skin-rejuvenation options today. Call 972-696-2963 now.
