In the skincare world, there's a common myth that sleeping on your side with your face smooshed into your pillow leads to the formation of wrinkles. We’ve even talked about this multiple times in our blog! But is this belief rooted in reality?
Today, we’ll unravel the myth surrounding the idea that sleeping positions contribute to wrinkles, uncover the truths behind this notion, and offer a simplified guide to maintaining smooth, youthful-looking skin.
The Myth
You may have heard warnings about the detrimental effects of sleeping on your side, with claims that pressing your skin against a pillow night after night can cause creases and wrinkles to form over time.
The idea is that the pressure and friction on the skin during sleep contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers, leading to premature aging. It’s similar to the idea that pulling and tugging at your skin can cause sagging and wrinkles, but how true is this?
The Truth
Well, this one is tricky - in short, the answer is yes and no. While it's true that repeated pressure on the skin can contribute to the formation of wrinkles, sleeping positions alone aren’t going to be the main cause of facial wrinkles. Wrinkles develop as a result of various factors, including genetics, sun exposure, smoking, and the natural aging process.
It's important to recognize that wrinkles can form regardless of sleeping position, and factors such as sun protection, skincare routine, and lifestyle habits play significant roles in skin aging. So, while sleeping on your back can contribute to fewer wrinkles, it doesn’t mean you’re totally safe!
What You Should Do
If you’re committed to doing everything you can to help avoid wrinkles, then maybe sleeping on your back is an option! If not (like most people), you can still rest well at night knowing that sleeping on your side isn’t the end of the world.
Outside of sleeping positions, there are a few other things you can do to help avoid wrinkles while you sleep - for example, using a silk pillowcase, doing your skincare routine an hour before bed, and using an overnight mask to help boost your skin’s health!
While sleeping positions may play a role in the formation of wrinkles, the idea that sleeping on your face alone causes wrinkles oversimplifies the complex process of skin aging. By prioritizing skincare and good habits, you can maintain smooth, youthful-looking skin regardless of your preferred sleep position. Easy, right?
