Is your sleep position aging you?

At some point you have probably woken up with a pillow line on your face after sleeping. This might even be a daily occurrence, especially if you are a side or stomach sleeper. This skin indentation, also known as pillow prints or sleep wrinkles, occurs after direct contact with your pillow.

“Depending what someone’s sleep position is, their face might be pressed against their pillow for extended periods of time,” explains Dr. Elizabeth Cook, a dermatologist at Aurora Health Care. “This pressure creates temporary pillow prints on the skin that are visible upon waking up.”

While these pillow prints often go away shortly after waking up, and the lines themselves are harmless, they can have a lasting effect.

“Repeatedly creating this pressure on your face can contribute to advanced aging in that area,” Dr. Cook says. “Wrinkles are a natural aspect of aging. However, over time these pillow lines cause repetitive creasing of the skin, which can lead to the skin prematurely aging.”

Dr. Cook offers several tips to prevent sleep wrinkles:

• Sleep on your back: This can be challenging, especially if you are a regular side or stomach sleeper. However, sleeping on your back decreases the direct contact between your face and pillow.
• Try a different pillowcase: Some rougher materials can leave deeper lines. Pillowcases made of silk, satin or other smooth materials put less strain on your skin during the night.
• Switch up your laundry products: Sometimes laundry products can cause allergic reactions and worsen your skin’s health. Try using a detergent that has no fragrances or dyes, particularly when used on items like pillowcases that have extended contact with your skin.
• Hydration: Drinking a lot of water is beneficial for overall skin health, including improving your skin elasticity, which helps minimize wrinkles.
• Utilize skin care and anti-aging products: Your dermatologist can help recommend beneficial skin care products that may help prevent premature aging.

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