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What Are Sleep Wrinkles?
Have you ever slept so hard that you wake up with lines etched into your face? Do sleep wrinkles create creases that seem to take forever to disappear? You’re not a lone ranger in this. We’ve all experienced it. However, with time, these lines become less temporary and more permanent.
Sleep wrinkles are caused by the way we sleep and what position we sleep in. Sleep wrinkles are different from expression lines. Facial expressions, lifestyle choices, the natural aging process, environmental factors, and more form expression lines.
Read on to learn more about what they are, how they differ from expression lines, and, most importantly, how to eliminate and prevent them!
How Do Sleep Wrinkles Form?
Sleep wrinkles are lines or creases that form on the face due to sleeping in a particular position or positions. For example, when we sleep on our sides or stomachs, our faces are pressed against the pillow, causing our skin to fold and crease. Over time, these creases become permanent lines.
Due to the many variables involved in sleeping, such as how one sleeps, how long one sleeps, what type of pillow one uses, etc. where and how they develop is different for everyone.
How Are Sleep Wrinkles Different From Expression Lines?
Expression lines are formed by the repeated use of facial muscles over time. For example, imagine the lines around your mouth when you smile, or the lines on your forehead that appear when you raise your eyebrows.
These wrinkles are usually found in areas where the skin is thin and delicate, such as around the eyes and mouth. Other factors that impact the formation of expression line wrinkles include gravity, genetics, UV exposure, smoking habits, etc.
On the other hand, sleep wrinkles are caused by the compression of the skin against a surface, like a pillow or mattress. Because we spend a third of our lives sleeping, we’re bound to develop a wrinkle or two. Thankfully, we can minimize their appearance and do what we can to prevent them!
How To Tell the Difference Between Sleep Wrinkles and Expression Lines?
While expression lines are usually easy to identify, sleep wrinkles can be more difficult to distinguish from other types of wrinkles. One way to tell if a wrinkle is a sleep wrinkle is to look at the location.
If the wrinkle is in an area where your face comes into contact with a pillow or mattress when you sleep, it's likely a sleep wrinkle. Common spots are above the eyebrow, on the forehead, above the upper cheek, under the eye, mid-face to jawline on the cheek, and even surrounding the lips.
You can also look at the orientation of the line to determine if it’s a sleep wrinkle. Sleep wrinkles are usually horizontal, while expression lines are vertical. That being said, some do appear vertically and diagonally. Another thing to notice is that sleep lines tend to be perpendicular to expression lines.
The biggest tale-tell sign is that they occur where there is no facial muscle.
How to Get Rid of Sleep Wrinkles?
Because we can’t control what position we sleep in after falling asleep, getting rid of sleep wrinkles can be challenging, but it's not impossible.
One way to minimize the appearance of sleep wrinkles is to sleep on your back. Or, if you know you’re a wild sleeper and won’t stay in this position throughout the night, at least try to fall asleep on your back!
Sleeping on your back allows your face to remain in a neutral position and reduces the amount of pressure on your skin. You never know with time; you might train yourself to be a back-sleeper.
Another way to eliminate sleep wrinkles is to use anti-aging products that contain good ole peptides, retinoids, and other powerhouse anti-aging ingredients. For example, our Expression Line Deep Wrinkle Serum contains over 45% of peptides and hyaluronic acid to minimize fine lines, lock in moisture, and plump the skin.
Anti-Aging Prevention
- Sleep on your Back
- Anti-Aging Pillow
- Silk Pillow Case
Sleeping on your back is the most surefire way to prevent sleep wrinkles. However, if you find it uncomfortable, try using a pillow to prop yourself up. This will keep your face in a neutral position and reduce pressure on your skin.
You can also use a silk or satin pillowcase. These materials are less likely to cause friction and will be gentler on your skin. With its antimicrobial and regenerating properties, you can also try using a copper pillow containing copper oxide particles, designed to prevent fine lines and wrinkles and reduce breakouts.
One study revealed that using an alternative pillow design helped participants reduce their sleep wrinkles by redistributing pressure from the wrinkling areas on the face!
Lastly, you can’t go wrong with consistently using anti-aging, hydrating skin care products to help prevent facial lines. You want to set your skin up for success each night with nurturing products, not failure with the lack thereof!
Regenerating Facial Serums with Retinol
Our best-selling Liquid Face Liftserum combines retinol and peptides to provide the effect of receiving a face lift without downtime, cost, or hassle. Prepping the skin with this product before bed will help it return to its natural, youthful roots. Additionally, stimulating collagen and elastin will make the skin more resilient to any pressure applied while sleeping.
Sleep wrinkles are a common problem that can be frustrating to deal with. While they can be tough to eliminate, you can take steps to minimize their appearance and prevent new ones from forming.
By sleeping on your back, using anti-aging products, and opting for a silk, satin, or copper pillowcase, you can keep your skin looking smooth and wrinkle-free.
So go ahead and catch some Z's, but make sure you're doing it in a way that won't leave you with sleep wrinkles in the morning!
Sources
https://www.health.com/beauty/prevent-wrinkles-overnight>
https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/36/8/931/2613967
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/sleep-wrinkles-prevention
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22506801
Author
Written by Sara Katharine Creamer ~Licensed Esthetician