‘Beauty sleep’ treatments spark controversy in Japan

Some Japanese clinics have been advertising private “beauty sleep” treatments on social media and prescribing potentially addictive psychotropic drugs and other medications.

Experts are criticizing the practice while raising concerns that prescription drugs are being used inappropriately.

There is no established medical definition of beauty sleep, but the term generally refers to the idea that adequate sleep helps maintain healthy skin and regulates hormone secretion.

In recent years, a growing number of products and services, including cosmetics and supplements, have been marketed using sleep-related concepts, leading some medical providers to offer sleep-focused treatments outside the public health insurance system.

Since around last year, some clinics have prescribed sleeping pills and psychotropic medications while promoting the concept of “achieving beauty through quality sleep.”

These treatments are not covered by the public health insurance system, leaving patients with greater financial burdens.

The trend has also sparked debate on social media, with many arguing that prescription drugs should not be marketed as beauty aids.

Sleeping pills are primarily prescribed to treat insomnia and related disorders. Some are classified as psychotropic drugs and may cause side effects, including dependence, drowsiness and light-headedness.

The Japanese Society of Sleep Research’s clinical practice guidelines recommend the appropriate use of these medications and cautions against unnecessary long-term administration.

“Sleeping pills are medications intended to treat insomnia,” said Kurume University President Naohisa Uchimura, who also serves as president of the sleep research society.

“When treating insomnia, the basic approach is first to improve lifestyle habits and then consider medication if symptoms do not improve.”

“If used inappropriately, sleeping pills can lead to dependence and cause side effects such as drowsiness and falls resulting from muscle relaxation,” Uchimura said. “They should not be used casually for cosmetic purposes.”