There’s a reason we call it beauty sleep: a good night’s kip can erase dark circles and transform a tired complexion, leaving you looking and feeling as fresh as a daisy. It’s not always possible to get the recommended seven to nine hours of shut-eye a night, however, so could your choice of bedding enhance your skin – and prevent bedhead hair – while you snooze? Some beauty buffs won’t sleep on anything but silk, and now there are even copper and skincare-infused pillowcases promising to smooth your strands and decrease the signs of ageing. But do these fabrics really make a difference, or will catching enough Zs keep your hair and skin at their healthiest? What happens to skin while we sleep? “While we sleep, skin cells regenerate, and the production of collagen and elastin, two essential proteins for skin elasticity and youthfulness, increases,” says Dr Radmila Lukian, dermatologist at Lucia Clinic. “Moreover, the skin’s protective barrier strengthens, helping it retain moisture and shield against environmental stressors.” That’s why you can end up with a dull, lacklustre complexion if you’ve not been getting enough rest. “Increased blood flow to the skin during sleep delivers the necessary oxygen and nutrients for cell renewal,” says Dr. Johannes Uys, GP at Broadgate General Practice. “Adequate sleep will contribute towards a healthier complexion as a result, while poor sleep can lead to skin issues such as dryness and premature ageing.” How important is sleep for hair health? “Deep sleep is vital for hair as this is when the body repairs and regenerates hair cells,” says Mark Blake, globally recognised trichologist and Nioxin ambassador. If you’re suffering with stress, sleep gives your body a break and a chance to recover. “Stress can cause hair loss conditions such as telogen effluvium,” says Blake, meaning temporary shedding of hair. “Sleep is the time your body does a form of damage control, sending anti-inflammatory agents to areas of damage: repairing, replacing, and removing damaged cells in the body. ” Can your pillowcase fabric have a detrimental impact? “The fabric of your pillowcase can have a notable effect on your skin,” says Lukian. “Coarse or abrasive fabrics can lead to friction, potentially causing skin irritation and even tiny tears.” This can be particularly problematic for individuals with sensitive or acne-prone skin. Cotton could, Uys says: “Lead to frizz or hair tangles because of increased friction, and may also potentially dry out the skin because of its greater propensity to absorb moisture.” While there’s no evidence that friction during the night can cause hair loss, if you don’t wash your pillowcase frequently enough (ideally once a week), it could affect the condition of your hair. Blake says: “Bacteria, sebum and general dirt can be transferred from your pillowcase back on to clean hair leaving it dull, lank, and lifeless when you wake up.” What’s the best type of pillowcase for skin and hair? If you want the smoothest and least absorbent pillowcase, experts say silk is usually the best – but also the most expensive – option, unless you’re vegan, as it’s derived from insects. “Silk pillowcases reduce friction, which can help prevent wrinkles,” says Lukian. “Silk is also less likely to absorb moisture from your skin, aiding in maintaining skin hydration.” Satin, which is a silk-like textile woven from a variety of materials, is a cheaper alternative, she says: “Satin pillowcases have a smooth surface that reduces friction and can be a suitable choice for those concerned about skin health.” If you prefer a crisp cotton pillowcase, Lukian recommends: “Look for ones with a high thread count, as they tend to be smoother and gentler on the skin. Cotton is breathable and can help prevent overheating during sleep.” Blake agrees that silk is the top choice when it comes to looking after your hair. “The tight weave gives a smooth, slippery surface helping prevent bed head allowing you to wake up with the same hairstyle you went to bed with,” he says. “Silk pillowcases cannot hold bacteria, fungus or mould and so are not a breeding ground or health hazard.” Could the new generation of high-tech pillowcases supercharge your sleep? “These products often incorporate materials like copper-infused fabric, with the promise of promoting collagen production and reducing wrinkles,” Lukian explains. “Skincare-infused and ‘anti-ageing’ pillowcases may offer some benefits, but should not replace a holistic skincare routine and healthy lifestyle choices when aiming to maintain youthful and healthy skin.” Drowsy Damask Rose Standard Sized Silk Pillowcase, £67 (was £89)Damask Rose Silk Pillowcase John Lewis Organic Mulberry Silk Standard Pillowcase Natural Cream, £45 Dunelm Dorma Silver Silk Pillowcases, £30 each Jessica Russell Flint Silk Pillowcase De Fleurs, £65, Not On The High Street Bed Lab Skincare Infused Pillow Graphite Grey, £49 Read More As transphobic hate crimes rise by 11% in a year, how to be a better ally Impact of relationships with AI chatbot programmes ‘worrying’, psychologist says Pokemon’s Detective Pikachu Returns and more top games of the week How to talk to kids about cigarettes and vapes, following Rishi Sunak’s smoke-free generation plans 4 must-have denim trends for autumn, from wide-leg jeans to split skirts Doorscaping: How to create a fabulous front door display for autumn

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It’s been 10 years since Jeffrey Bush disappeared in his own home, and no trace of him has ever been found. The 37-year-old was asleep in bed at his home in Seffner, Florida, when the ground caved in around him, swallowing him into a massive sinkhole. On the night of February 28, 2013, his brother Jeremy heard a loud crash and ran into Jeffrey’s room only to find a vast crater in place of his sibling’s bed. Jeremy jumped into the hole in a desperate bid to rescue his brother but was swiftly pulled to safety as the ground around him continued to cave in. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter "The floor was still giving in and the dirt was still going down, but I didn't care. I wanted to save my brother," he told The Guardian at the time. "But I just couldn't do nothing. "I could swear I heard him hollering my name to help him." Within minutes, local law enforcement had arrived and engineers lowered a microphone into the pit to try to pick up signs of Jeffrey. However, a second collapse sucked the equipment down into the sinkhole and the property was deemed too dangerous for rescue or recovery. Video released of Seffner sinkhole that claimed life of Jeff Bush youtu.be The house was subsequently fenced off and eventually demolished, with the gaping 20ft-wide cavity filled in with gravel. But then, more than two years later, on August 19, 2015, the hole reopened. Specialists at the time pointed out that it was very rare to see such a phenomenon reemerge in the exact same spot. Florida is particularly susceptible to sinkholes as it is home to a high number of underground caverns which are made up of limestone, a rock which easily dissolves in water. In fact, they’re so common, that state law requires home insurers to provide coverage against the danger. And, indeed, someone had visited the Stevens’ home just weeks before the tragedy to check for sinkholes and other risks on the property, apparently for insurance purposes. "[The inspector] said there was nothing wrong with the house. Nothing,” Jeremy told The Guardian. “And a couple of months later, my brother dies. In a sinkhole.” So what happened to Jeffrey’s body? Well, Philip van Beynen, a University of South Florida environmental scientist, concluded that it had most likely dropped into a 60ft-tall water-filled void between the sinkhole and the lower bedrock. The body would have sunk much deeper than the gravel pit seen from the street, van Beynen told USA Today. He stressed that any attempt to retrieve it would have been unwise, if not impossible, as the ground around the hole could have collapsed as well. "It would be extraordinarily difficult and incredibly expensive," he noted. Still, that’s little comfort to the Stevens’ who never got to bury their loved-one or, even, to properly say goodbye. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

The scene looks almost lunar. Drone videos covering more than a thousand miles of the Ukrainian front line show great craters of earth, scooped from the ground by unseen barrages.

Jeff Stelling revealed singer Sir Elton John was among his well-wishers this week as the presenter signed off from the “best job that anybody could possibly have wished for” at Soccer Saturday. Stelling announced last month his intention to stand down as anchor of the Sky Sports programme after almost 30 years and earmarked the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday as his last show. In the days leading up to his swansong, Stelling divulged he had messages of support from the likes of Gordon Strachan and Neil Warnock, plus a phone call from John, former chairman and director of Watford. Stelling, an unapologetic Hartlepool fan who frequently celebrated their goals on Soccer Saturday, said: “Somebody asked me the other day if I’d ever been starstruck and yeah, I was starstruck when Elton John rang me at home to say ‘Thank you very much for all you’ve done’. “He said ‘Every week I watch the show and every week you tell me Watford are losing and every week you tell me Hartlepool are losing so I feel like we’re kindred spirits’. There’s something in that, isn’t there?” After touching tributes from colleagues past and present in a video montage, Stelling was given a standing ovation by the punditry panel of Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Kris Boyd and Michael Dawson. Stelling, who had planned to quit last year before reversing that decision, briefly hid his emotions with a mask of himself and quipped: “This is tricky because I’ve changed my mind – just kidding. “I haven’t changed my mind this time.” Stelling was clearly moved by the highlights package Sky televised in the final minutes of the show after Everton retained their top-flight status and confirmed the relegations of Leeds and Leicester. Merson, Alan Mullery, Frank McLintock, Clive Allen, Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier passed on their congratulations, as did Chris Kamara, who in a nod to the catchphrase that has become synonymous with the pair and the show, said: “You are unbelievable, Jeff!” Stelling looked back fondly on his 30-plus years with Sky, in which he not only covered football but live snooker, darts, greyhound racing, pool and thanked everyone with whom he had worked. So that's it. Soccer Saturday will be back next season. I'll be watching...From me, goodbye Jeff Stelling In his farewell monologue, he added: “It’s been the best job that anybody could possibly have wished for. My wife takes great pleasure in saying ‘You are the luckiest man ever to take a breath’ and you know what? I don’t tell her this often but she’s right. “The principle success of Soccer Saturday is you lot at home, who have given us unswerving support – both for the programme and for me personally. “So that’s it. Soccer Saturday will be back next season. I’ll be watching – when Hartlepool are not playing. From me, goodbye.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Katie Taylor sets sights on Chantelle Cameron rematch and not retirement Mikel Arteta pleased to see Granit Xhaka given appreciation from Arsenal fans I apologise I didn’t do better – Sam Allardyce says sorry after Leeds relegated