Dermatologic Implications of Sleep Deprivation in the US Military

Abstract

Short sleep duration is common among US adults and is even more common among people working in protective services and the military. Military service predisposes members to disordered sleep due to the rigors of deployments and field training. In this article, we explore possible mechanisms by which sleep deprivation may affect the skin. We also review the potential impacts of sleep deprivation on specific topics in dermatology, including atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, alopecia areata, physical attractiveness, wound healing, and skin cancer.