“Sleep Beauty” Sparks Controversy in Japan

Tokyo, Aug. 24 (Jiji Press)--Some Japanese clinics have been advertising private “sleep beauty” treatments on social media and prescribing potentially addictive psychotropic drugs and other medications.

Experts are criticizing this practice, raising concerns that prescription drugs are being used inappropriately.

There is no established medical definition of “sleep beauty,” 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.”

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]