Getting your beauty sleep can improve your looks-but snoring can have the opposite effect, according to researchers.
A study on sleep apnea–under a condition marked by snoring and breathing interruptions-has shown that people with sleep apnea appeared less attractive, young andsharp-witted than restful sleepers.
Patients who were treated for sleep apnea also appeared more attractive-with two thirds of the patients in the study being rated more attractive in photos taken after treatment than before.
Researchers used a sensitive 'face mapping technique' - more commonly used by surgeons-along with a panel of independent appearance raters to judge changes in 20 middle-aged apnea patients who used CPAP to help them breathe better during sleep. The 22 raters, who were asked to look at 'before' and 'after' pictures to rank attractiveness, said people appeared to have fewer wrinkles after treatment. They also correctly identified patients 'after' treatment two-thirds of the time.
However, the researchers didn't see a big change in facial characteristics more commonly associated with sleepiness, such as dark circles and puffiness under the eyes.
Sleep apnea affects millions of adults and puts them at higher risk of heart-related problems and daytime accidents.
CPAP is known to stop snoring, improve daytime alertness and reduce blood pressure.
Researchers say the findings may eventually give apnea patients even more reason to stick with CPAP treatment-a challenge for some because they must wear a mask in bed.
