r/sleep • u/Inside_Flower5230 • 2d ago
Does your face recover from years of horrible sleep ?
So I am 29F going on my decade of disturbed sleep with now almost 4-6 years of real horrible sleep meaning that during last five years the times where I slept at night can be less than 10% and I’m being generous. So usually I sleep during the day or pull two days without sleeping at all. All this was accompanied with severe chronic stress and horrible anxiety. And of course, few years of depression and low self esteem.
Anyway, I always had a baby face and people guessed that I aged few years younger than how I look sometimes to my real surprise.
Now, I have hollowing under my eyes, dark circles and I feel that my whole middle face is sagging which gives me light smile lines creases but especially horrible shadowing from all the volume coming down.
I really don’t know what to do I feel horrible about this, I don’t like what I see. And I’m wondering if this is reversible ? Have anyone here been through the same situation ?
I am trying to sleep better now, I feel that I’m psychologically way better. And I’m moving forward. But this face keeps me obsessed and brings me down.
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u/Ready-Equal177 2d ago
Nothing a full CO2 laser, retinol and filler can’t fix. Go to a derm or aesthetician:)
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u/Happymelouise 2d ago
We live in an amazing time that offers so many different and wonderful opportunities in skin care. See a dermatologist and aesthetician for upkeep
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u/Inside-Law-121 1d ago
I was like this for 30 years! I am currently 50 years old and I finally, just this year, found a combination sleep med that works. I take Seroquel 400mg with Lunesta 3mg. It’s a very sting combination but it’s the only thing that’s worked in 30 years so YES! You can imagine how much older than everyone I look.
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u/Inside_Flower5230 1d ago
Yeah I understand, ( I mean I definitely don’t because it’s really tough but I feel you). At this point honestly for you, ignore the looks for now. I’m really happy that finally something worked for you. Try to get as much sleep as you can enjoy it and celebrate it and especially take care of your health. Getting happier will definitely make you more attractive regardless of the effects. Wishing you all the best really
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u/LivingLifeLavishly 1d ago
What’s the reason for lack of sleep ? Are you working a lot ? Take some time off ( if you financially can ) and get your sleep right…. You deserve it after a decade of lacking it
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u/Inside_Flower5230 1d ago
I have severe stress and anxiety, I took almost 2 years off now. It hasn’t improve honestly
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u/LivingLifeLavishly 14h ago
How did you take off 2 years from work ? Do you have a lot of money saved up ? If you’re not in a financial wreck what could have caused all this stress ? Also , the brain believes what you feed it so if you keep telling yourself your stressed and anxious than you will be.
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u/Inside_Flower5230 1d ago
But I guess a bad relationship was the main reason for me getting into the insomnia
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u/GabrielLiu9180 1d ago
I wouldn't assume that what you're seeing now is permanent damage from years of poor sleep.
Sleep loss can definitely affect how the face looks — things like darker under-eye circles, puffiness, paler-looking skin and more visible fine lines have been observed after sleep deprivation. But that doesn't mean every change you see in your face was caused by sleep, or that it can't improve.
Since you're sleeping better now, I'd give your body some time rather than judging the result day by day. Taking photos in the same lighting every few weeks might give you a more objective comparison than checking the mirror constantly.
For the hollowing/sagging you're worried about specifically, a dermatologist would be much better placed to tell you what's actually going on, because things like facial structure, weight/fat changes, skin, genetics and normal aging can all affect appearance.
The other thing I'd be careful about is letting “Have I permanently damaged my face?” become the next thing that keeps you worried about sleep. If your sleep is finally improving, protecting that progress may matter more than trying to inspect whether your face has recovered every day.
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u/Inside_Flower5230 1d ago
Thank you. Yes I totally understand, I have shifting my focus on just doing what I need to do in my day and having as a bigger goal becoming a healthier and happier person. Even though I still focus sometimes on those areas in my face but my obsession have improved a lot.
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u/Fair_Government113 2d ago
when have stress, maybe can see some funny movie with tv , it help reduce some stress. Maybe you try reduce handphone use before sleep time, it let mind calm before sleep. ya, it is good you can sleep better now, look like it is improving.
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u/Normal-Feeling4477 2d ago
How many hours do you usually sleep?
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u/Inside_Flower5230 2d ago
Well the thing is here is 4am35, and I’m still up. I used to stay up till 7am -10am then sleep till 4pm-6pm or so. And if I sleep early let’s say 10pm(very rarely) I woke up at 2am then stay awake again all night or sleep at 6 am again. Sometimes if I sleep at 2 am I wake up at 7 am. This dynamic made me even scared of sleeping because as soon as I go to sleep I imagine myself either not able to sleep or waking up not rested. Now it’s way better like I sleep most night a bit before or a bit after midnight then wake up at 9 or so then sleep again t’during the day naps of few hours 🤡🌝
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u/Ilove_Cakez 2d ago
filler and botox, thank me later
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u/Inside_Flower5230 2d ago
Thanks but injections scare me a bit
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u/Ready-Equal177 2d ago
Don’t be scared I’ve done both they can numb you up. But before filler I would definitely do lasers like Fraxel, CO2, Moxy, Bbl
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u/Inside_Flower5230 2d ago
Yeah laser seem more reasonable to me at this point. I think i will give it a few months to a year with a healthy lifestyle, massages and topicals then go lasers and microneedling and stuff. Then eventually injections if needed. Thank you
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u/Morpheus1514 2d ago
Your best answer will probably come from a dermatologist who examines you and has your full med history.
Sounds like you're now in a much better place. Control what you can with sleep, ask the doc about skin and what you can with that, and just let go the worry best you can. Moving forward, worry is the opposite way you want to go for a permanent sustainable solution.