According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, people who get sleep apnea treatment for at least two months appear more alert, more youthful, and more attractive. This evidence supports other studies that show missing sleep can damage your skin and accelerate visible signs of aging.
Rating Your Beauty Rest
In the new study, which focused on the effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) on the physical appearance of people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Researchers took digital photos with a high-precision 3D camera of 20 individuals with sleep apnea who also had daytime sleepiness. Images were taken before treatment and after two months of treatment. The images were then put in random order and shown to 22 volunteers, twelve of whom were medical professionals and the other 10 “community volunteers.”
Raters rated the post-treatment facial images as:
- More alert (68%)
- More attractive (67%)
- Younger (64%)
Computer analysis of the images showed significant differences as well, with post-treatment images having less forehead surface volume (caused by nightly fluid shift) and decreased redness under the eyes and over the cheeks.
Treatment Alternatives
Obstructive sleep apnea is very damaging to your body. It can age you prematurely, and can lead to serious health conditions. Although this study focused on CPAP treatment, the key is to find a sleep apnea treatment that is effective and easy for you to stick with. Although CPAP is a good treatment for many people, it can be problematic for some sleep apnea sufferers because they find it hard to keep up. Others may find it problematic, because the mask may irritate their skin, resulting in redness or acne.
At the Advanced Dental Sleep Treatment Center in Omaha, Nebraska, we can help you find the best sleep apnea treatment for you.
Please contact us today to learn about your treatment options.
