Teen survives on just four hours of sleep for three nights to reveal the damaging effects of sleep deprivation

CHLOE de Garis, 18, tried having four hours sleep for three nights as an experiment. The impacts on her health, appearance and mood were dramatic.

MISSING beauty sleep really does make you ugly — inside and out.

Scientists found last week that having just four hours’ kip, two nights in a row, has a marked effect on our looks and makes us feel less healthy and sociable.

While sleep deprived parents can probably tell you just how tired they feel, this experiment with by The Sun got Chloe de Garis, 18, who usually gets eight hours a night, to survive on four, for three nights, while younger sister Lucy, 16, slept as normal for nine hours. The results of just three nights of reduced sleep were shocking.

Here Chloe — who lives in Halling, south east of London — with nail technician mum Abigail, 40, engineer dad Brendan, 43, and sisters Lucy, Tabitha, 12, and Olivia, nine, tells how she got on, while her nearest and dearest, plus a series of experts, give their verdicts.

Chloe de Garis, 18, before and after the experiment. Picture: The Sun

MUM’S VERDICT

When Chloe had her make-up on, she looked OK but when she took it off I could tell she was knackered.

Her eyes looked bloodshot and, although she’s just got back from holiday, she is pale.

She definitely doesn’t look like the Chloe I know.

She looks quite ill.

If I hadn’t known she was sleep-deprived, I’d assume she was poorly and send her to bed with a hot-water bottle.

She’s been much quieter than usual and I can tell she’s not feeling herself because talking seems as though it’s too much effort.

“She’s been quite snappy with us all so we’ve kept out of her way,” Chloe’s sister Lucy said. Picture: The Sun

SISTER’S VERDICT

I’m very pleased it hasn’t been me that’s had to miss sleep.

Chloe looks dreadful, as though she’s had a really heavy night on the town.

She’s pretty spotty and has been eating more than normal.

She’s been quite snappy with us all so we’ve kept out of her way.

I, on the other hand, feel great.

Chloe as she appears after sleeping normal hours. Picture: The Sun

BOYFRIEND’S VERDICT

Sammy, 18, a quantity surveyor from Kent, says: “Of course, I wouldn’t tell Chloe she looks ugly but she definitely doesn’t look as good as she normally does.

“She’s pale but her eyes are the worst thing.

“They’re bloodshot and she’s got deep shadows underneath them.

“I can tell she’s tired, as she’s been a bit short-tempered and hasn’t got the energy to do anything.

“I’ll be glad when Chloe sleeps well again and goes back to looking like her old self.”

Three days with only 12 hours sleep later. Picture: The Sun

DERMATOLOGIST’S VERDICT

NATALI KELLY SAYS: I can see increased redness and breakouts showing on Chloe’s skin.

Beauty sleep is important to prevent dark circles, which we can clearly see, sallowness and generally lacklustre skin.

Chloe’s face looks dry in places, and less plump, after too little sleep.

Skin consultant’s verdict

SKIN CONSULTANT’S VERDICT

DR KAREN OREMPULLER SAYS: Chloe presents here with darker eye circles and she clearly looks sad and tired.

Sleep deprivation causes the skin repair mechanism to be reduced and the result of this is the formation of spots, which you can now clearly see in Chloe’s case.

MAKE-UP ARTIST’S VERDICT

LISA PROSTIMO SAYS: Over the course of just three days, Chloe had lost her glow.

Her skin has deteriorated considerably as the result of this sleep experiment and it was bumpy to touch and very tight.

She’s clearly got quite a few blemishes and her eyes are dark.

This story originally appeared in The Sun and is reproduced here with permission.