Is Noise Blasting Your Beauty?

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Loud noises like a neighbor’s pounding bass or the construction jackhammer outside your house can be annoying for sure. But can they also be detrimental to your health and beauty?

“Consistent exposure to noise can lead to headaches, nausea, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression,” says Ashley Merryman, co-author of “NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children.”

A report from the World Health Organization and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre shows that a steady exposure to noise pollution may even lead to fatal heart attacks. In fact, the incidence of heart attack rises by 30 percent in people who work in loud environments, and can increase to 300 percent in women if their home is very noisy, too.

Hint: Avoid living near highways or airports, and if you do, invest in soundproof windows, heavy drapes and sound-absorbent furniture—those things really can make a difference, according to Merryman.

Even in the short-term, a loud racket can be disruptive to your body’s needs. Here are just a few of the ways that sound can throw you off a good health and beauty track:

You Can’t Sleep

Healthier, young-looking skin relies on snooze time to heal and repair tissue, so it’s key to get a good night’s sleep (not so easy if there’s a barking dog next door or a car alarm epidemic on your street). “Nighttime noise during sleep—even sounds that don’t wake you up—can prevent you from going through the normal sleep cycles,” says Merryman. Remember all those sleep tips about creating a sanctuary in your bedroom—one that’s dark, cool and peaceful? Keep in mind, too, that sanctuaries are quiet.

QUIZ: Measure How Your Sleep is Affecting Your Beauty

You’re Stressed

You know what loud noises like a constantly yakking co-worker in the next cubicle can do? Stress you out! And stress can cause all sorts of bad things to happen, from hair thinning and acne to weight gain and tooth loss (the grinding is a killer).

MORE: Stress, Health and Beauty Don’t Mix

You Get Angry

“Turn it the eff down!” Okay, who hasn’t said the less euphemized version of that sentence at some point? Whether you’re shouting it at your first-person-shooter-playing boyfriend or your night owl upstairs neighbor who has a special love for death metal, loud noise can drive you nuts and heighten your emotions. This causes stress and also, let’s face it, swearing (which has been shown to negatively affect relationships).

MORE: To Swear or Not to Swear