New bedding makes beauty a priority

If the bedding industry has its way, your beauty sleep may never be the same. An array of new technologies intended to provide sounder sleep is featured in 15,000 square feet of space at "The Future of Sleep" section at World Market Center Las Vegas, which hosts Las Vegas Market until Friday.

"Science has proven that good sleep leads to total body restoration, including skin renewal," says Dale Reed, president of the Specialty Sleep Association. "If you have better and more relaxing sleep, you will age better."

If the success of the cosmetic industry is any indication, that's all most women need to hear to whip out their wallets. Should the details concern them, however, they'll be happy to know it involves aloe vera-treated sheets, buckwheat-filled pillows, lavender-covered mattresses and more. The goal for most of these features is to ease stress during sleep and lessen body heat, which produces oils and bacteria.

It all started, says Reed, when the organic and all-natural kick gained steam. The same people demanding earth-friendly beauty products were looking for those elements in their furniture and bedding. The crossover caught the attention of the kind of manufacturers responsible for water beds and foam beds, which led to a few innovative developments. In the past two years it's gained momentum in metropolis areas and is expected to keep going strong.

So, what's next in bedding? "Gel beds," says Reed. "Like the gel in your shoes."