Side sleeping may be comfortable, but it is notorious for causing the development of unsightly diagonal and vertical wrinkles that run across your face and scalp.
Due to skin damage that occurs with bunching when side sleeping, they often stand out due to their abnormal orientation in comparison to normal wrinkles.
While avoiding side sleeping is the best way to prevent sleep lines, most side sleepers find back sleeping very difficult. They often wake up on their side unable to recall rolling over.
The good news is that you can treat sleep lines and wrinkles.
What are sleep lines?
Sleep lines are the vertical or diagonal wrinkles that develop on your face. Initially faint and temporary, only seen in the morning, over time they become deeper and etched into the skin. Sleep lines are most commonly found on your cheeks, forehead, and around your eyes. But can also develop anywhere on your scalp.
What causes sleep lines?
There are a few things that contribute to the development of sleep lines.
- Pressure and compression: When sleeping, especially on your side, face or stomach, the pressure from your pillow causes your skin to bunch, fold and crease. This is the primary cause of sleep lines.
- Loss of collagen and elasticity: With age your skin weakens, and sleep lines that were once temporary start to last longer. Eventually they become permanently etched into your skin.
- Poor skin quality: If you don’t look after your skin, or suffer with skin dehydration, you are more prone to developing sleep lines.
Are sleep lines permanent?
Initially, sleep lines are temporary, fading in under an hour. However, over time as your skin ages, sleep lines can become a permanent problem.
Can sleep lines be prevented?
The only way to prevent sleep lines is to avoid sleeping on your stomach and back. This stops your skin bunching and folding, meaning sleep lines won’t develop.
If you cannot sleep on your back, there are a few ways to slow down the development of sleep lines.
- Use a silk or satin pillowcase, which reduces friction compared to cotton. This helps to reduce skin creasing while you sleep.
- Skin care that focusses on hydration can make your skin more resilient, and less prone to forming sleep lines.
Best treatments for sleep lines?
Dermal fillers are the best treatment for sleep lines and wrinkles. Dermal fillers are volumising gels designed to soften and prevent wrinkles. They are a fast, effective, and long-lasting treatment that works by filling in the sleep lines.
