Believe it or not, there are ways to slow down signs of aging, such as wrinkles, overnight. However, sleeping in the wrong position may hinder your efforts to avoid wrinkles on your face.
Debra Jariman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and author of The Rules of the Skin, says that touching your face with a cotton pillowcase, such as the side or abdomen, while sleeping, can lead to skin conditions. There are deep sleep lines on the forehead and cheeks.
What Causes Wrinkles When Sleeping?
In general, wrinkles are caused by a loss of skin volume due to the loss of collagen and elasticity. Repeated stress on collagen (such as resting one side of your face on a pillow while sleeping) promotes its breakdown, which ultimately leads to noticeable fine lines.
How Can I Prevent Wrinkles Overnight?
You may think that there is nothing you can do to prevent wrinkles while sleeping, but there are ways to prevent and reduce them in sleep.
Get a Full Night’s Rest
Sleep deprivation is when you get less sleep for less than you need – adults usually have less than seven hours.
When people experience sleep deprivation, it manifests itself in their appearance. Some of the signs include:3
- Dropy eyelids
- Black eye
- The eyes are swollen with fine lines around them
- There are more wrinkles overall
So, it may sound like a matter of course, but getting enough sleep is necessary. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night is very important to rejuvenate your skin.
Sleep on Your Back
Sleeping on your stomach or on one side means that your face is under constant pressure. Over time, this action may create unnecessary sleep lines. Dr. Galliman says that you can solve this problem by sleeping on your back so that your face doesn’t experience any pressure.
However, for many people, sleeping on their backs can be uncomfortable. In addition, you can’t control your unconscious sleep movements, which can cause you to take a lateral or prone position.
But over time, you can fall asleep after practicing with a pillow and getting used to it. Some of the things you can try include placing a pillow on your knees or lower back and surrounding yourself with pillows at your sides, especially in the abdomen and hip area.
Not only can pillows help you feel more comfortable, but they can help your body get used to sleeping on your back by making it harder to pivot to a side or prone sleeping position.
Use Special Pillows
Another way to promote sleeping on your back is to try using a corrugated pillow to make sleeping on your back more comfortable.
There is also a less technical option for those who want sit-ups. Pillows sold at the airport can also be used in bed to allow you to sleep comfortably on long flights. They may make it easier for you to sleep on your back without ending up rolling to one side.
Upgrade Your Pillowcase
If you can’t sleep comfortably on your back, you can help prevent wrinkles caused by pillowcases with a special pillow that minimizes facial pressure while you sleep.
You can also upgrade from cotton to silk or satin. With a silk pillowcase, your skin slides over the pillow. In other words, there is less traction and your face won’t “crunch” like it would on a cotton pillow.
Try an Anti-Aging Cream
Retinol is probably one of the most powerful tools in the anti-aging arsenal. Vitamin A derivatives prevent fine lines by stimulating collagen and restore your skin to a youthful state.
Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to sun damage, so if you want to add it to your skincare routine, leaving it overnight is the best time to use it.
While you can get a stronger cream by prescription, there are plenty of over-the-counter options available.
You can also try night creams to help eliminate wrinkles. Night creams are heavy, ultra-moisturizing lotions that you may not be able to use during the day because they may leave your skin looking greasy. Choose a product that contains retinol and hyaluronic acid – to help moisturize the skin.
Summary
Wrinkle prevention doesn’t have to be done during the day, and you can reduce wrinkles while you sleep. Sleep itself can help you avoid wrinkles, but the way you sleep is also important.
For example, you need to sleep on your back whenever possible or use a pillow that can promote sleep on your back. Even the type of pillowcase you use is important: silk and satin pillowcases are more effective at reducing wrinkles.
Finally, overnight use of an anti-aging cream containing retinol or hyaluronic acid can help the skin feel firmer.
