The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Sleep wrinkles are real. Here’s how they leave their mark

  • Written by Yousuf Mohammed, Dermatology researcher, The University of Queensland
Sleep wrinkles are real. Here’s how they leave their mark

You wake up, stagger to the bathroom and gaze into the mirror. No, you’re not imagining it. You’ve developed face wrinkles overnight. They’re sleep wrinkles.

Sleep wrinkles are temporary. But as your skin loses its elasticity as you age, they can set in.

Here’s what you can do to minimise the chance of them forming in the first place.

How side-sleeping affects your face

Your skin wrinkles for a number of reasons, including ageing, sun damage, smoking, poor hydration, habitual facial expressions (such as grinning, pouting, frowning, squinting) and sleeping positions.

When you sleep on your side or stomach, your face skin is squeezed and crushed[1] a lot more than if you sleep on your back. When you sleep on your side or stomach, gravity presses your face against the pillow. Your face skin is distorted as your skin is stretched, compressed and pulled in all directions as you move about in your sleep.

You can reduce these external forces acting on the face by sleeping on your back or changing positions frequently.

Doctors can tell which side you sleep on by looking at your face

In a young face, sleep wrinkles are transient and disappear after waking.

Temporary sleep wrinkles can become persistent with time and repetition. As we age[2], our skin loses elasticity[3] (recoil) and extensibility (stretch), creating ideal conditions[4] for sleep wrinkles or lines to set in and last longer.

The time spent in each sleeping position, the magnitude of external forces applied to each area of the face, as well as the surface area of contact with the pillow surface, also affects[5] the pattern and rate of sleep wrinkle formation.

Skin specialists can often recognise this. People who favour sleeping on one side of their body tend to have a flatter face on their sleeping side and more visible sleep lines.

Can a night skincare routine avoid sleep wrinkles?

Collagen and elastin are two primary components of the dermis (inner layer) of skin. They form the skin structure and maintain the elasticity of skin.

Skin structure
The dermis is the inner layer of skin. mermaid3/Shutterstock[6]

Supplementing collagen through skincare routines to enhance skin elasticity can help reduce[7] wrinkle formation.

Hyaluronic[8] acid is a naturally occurring molecule in human bodies. It holds our skin’s collagen and elastin in a proper configuration, stimulates the production of collagen[9] and adds hydration, which can help slow down wrinkle formation. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most common active ingredients[10] in skincare creams, gels and lotions.

Moisturisers can hydrate the skin in different ways[11]. “Occlusive” substances produce a thin layer of oil on the skin that prevents water loss due to evaporation. “Humectants” attract and hold water in the skin, and they can differ in their capacity to bind with water, which influences the degree of skin hydration.

Do silk pillowcases actually make a difference?

Bed with silk sheets and pillowcases
Can they help? New Africa/Shutterstock[12]

Silk pillowcases can make a difference in wrinkle formation, if they let your skin glide and move, rather than adding friction and pressure on a single spot. If you can, use silk sheets and silk pillows.

Studies have also shown[13] pillows designed to reduce mechanical stress during sleep can prevent skin deformations. Such a pillow could be useful[14] in slowing down and preventing the formation of certain facial wrinkles.

Sleeping on your back can reduce the risk of sleep lines, as can a nighttime routine of moisturising before sleep.

Otherwise, lifestyle choices and habits, such quitting smoking, drinking plenty of water, a healthy diet (eating enough vegetables, fruits[15], nuts, seeds, healthy fats, yogurt and other fermented foods[16]) and regular use of sunscreens can help improve the appearance of the skin on our face.

References

  1. ^ squeezed and crushed (academic.oup.com)
  2. ^ age (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  3. ^ loses elasticity (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  4. ^ ideal conditions (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  5. ^ affects (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  6. ^ mermaid3/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  7. ^ help reduce (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  8. ^ Hyaluronic (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  9. ^ collagen (www.mdpi.com)
  10. ^ active ingredients (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  11. ^ different ways (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  12. ^ New Africa/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  13. ^ shown (academic.oup.com)
  14. ^ could be useful (www.scirp.org)
  15. ^ fruits (www.tandfonline.com)
  16. ^ yogurt and other fermented foods (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Read more https://theconversation.com/sleep-wrinkles-are-real-heres-how-they-leave-their-mark-217380

The Times Features

Building A Strong Foundation For Any Structure

Building a home or commercial building can be very exciting. The possibilities are endless and the future is interesting. You can always change aspects of the building to meet the ...

The Role of a Family Dentist: Why Every Household Needs One

source A family dentist isn’t like your regular dentist who may specialise in a particular age group and whom you visit only when something goes wrong. A family dentist takes proa...

Benefits of Getting an Online Medical Certificate

Everyone has experienced it. Rather than taking a break, you drag yourself to the doctor's office, where you have to wait in lengthy lines, and then you have to hurry to get that...

10 Must-See Townsville Spots with Car Hire

Key Highlights Explore Townsville and its surrounding areas with ease by opting for a car hire upon your arrival at Townsville Airport. From the vibrant waterfront of The Str...

Comparing Hot Water Systems: Pros and Cons of Popular Options

Selecting the right hot water system is a crucial decision for any household. A reliable and efficient system ensures comfort and significantly impacts household energy bills and...

How Plastering Companies Are Transforming Commercial Spaces in Australia

With the competitive nature of business today, first impressions are very crucial. From offices and retail stores to hotels and restaurants, what's inside a commercial facility c...

Times Magazine

How AI-Driven SEO Enhancements Can Improve Headless CMS Content Visibility

Whereas SEO (search engine optimization) is critical in the digital landscape for making connections to content, much of it is still done manually keyword research, metatags, final tweaks at publication requiring a human element that takes extensiv...

Crypto Expert John Fenga Reveals How Blockchain is Revolutionising Charity

One of the most persistent challenges in the charity sector is trust. Donors often wonder whether their contributions are being used effectively or if overhead costs consume a significant portion. Traditional fundraising methods can be opaque, with...

Navigating Parenting Arrangements in Australia: A Legal Guide for Parents

Understanding Parenting Arrangements in Australia. Child custody disputes are often one of the most emotionally charged aspects of separation or divorce. Parents naturally want what is best for their children, but the legal process of determining ...

Blocky Adventures: A Minecraft Movie Celebration for Your Wrist

The Minecraft movie is almost here—and it’s time to get excited! With the film set to hit theaters on April 4, 2025, fans have a brand-new reason to celebrate. To honor the upcoming blockbuster, watchfaces.co has released a special Minecraft-inspir...

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

The Power of Digital Signage in Modern Marketing

In a fast-paced digital world, businesses must find innovative ways to capture consumer attention. Digital signage has emerged as a powerful solution, offering dynamic and engaging content that attracts and retains customers. From retail stores to ...

LayBy Shopping