The 5 Proven Ways To Prevent Wrinkles While You Sleep

Believe it or not, there are methods for delaying the appearance of wrinkles and other symptoms of aging overnight. However, if you slumber in the incorrect position, you attempt to prevent wrinkles from appearing.

Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City and the author of “Skin Rules,” explains that sleeping on one’s stomach or side, which exposes the face to cotton pillowcases, may result in the development of deep sleep lines on the forehead and cheekbones.

Sleeping causes wrinkles, but why?

Typically, wrinkles are a result of the loss of collagen and elasticity in the skin. Repetitive pressure against the collagen (e.g., sleeping with the side of the face on a pillow) will accelerate its degradation, ultimately resulting in the formation of visible lines.

What are the best ways to prevent wrinkles overnight?

Several methods can be employed to prevent or reduce wrinkles during slumber, despite what some might think.

Get a Full Night’s Rest

Sleep deprivation occurs when adults sleep for a duration of time that is inadequate, usually less than seven hours.

The physical manifestations of sleep deprivation are evident in affected individuals. Among the indications are the following:

• Hanging eyelids
• Dark under-eye circles
• Swollen eyes with fine lines around them
• More wrinkles overall

Therefore, while it may appear self-evident, adequate sleep is extremely important. “It is important to sleep seven to eight hours a night to rejuvenate the skin,” according to Dr. Jaliman.

Sleep on Your Back

When you sleep on your stomach or one side, your visage is subject to constant pressure. This behavior may eventually result in undesired slumber lines. Dr. Jaliman advised resolving this issue by lying on your back, which prevents pressure from being applied to the face.

However, many individuals may find backdozing to be unpleasant. Additionally, involuntary slumber movements are beyond your control and may cause you to assume a side or stomach position.

With experience, however, it is possible to develop a tolerance for back sleeping through the use of pillows. One possible approach is to position a pillow beneath the knees or lower back, while another is to envelop oneself in pads on both sides of the body, with particular emphasis on the regions encircling the midsection and hips.

Not only will the pillows enhance your comfort, but they will also facilitate body acclimation to the back resting position by impeding transitions to side or stomach sleeping.

Use a Special Pillow

An additional strategy for encouraging back sleeping is to utilize a contoured pillow that is specifically engineered to enhance the comfort of back sleeping.

For sleep, Dr. Jaliman advised using the NIGHT Pillow. “It has many benefits, including minimizing wrinkles, supporting clean skin, and assisting with hydrating your skin cells, which helps prevent the formation of fine lines,” according to Dr. Jaliman.

A less sophisticated alternative is also available for individuals seeking to transition into back sleepers. Pillows sold in airports to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep can also be utilized in one’s bedroom. They might facilitate back sleeping so that the individual does not eventually transition to the side.

Upgrade Your Pillowcase

If you cannot get comfortable resting on your back, a specialty pillow that reduces facial compression while you sleep can help prevent pillowcase-induced wrinkles.

Furthermore, silk and satin can be substituted for cotton. “Your skin glides across the silk pillowcase,” explains Dr. Jaliman. In other words, your face will not “crunch” against it as it would against a cotton pillow due to the decreased traction.

Try an Anti-Aging Cream

Retinol is potentially one of the most potent anti-aging substances in your arsenal. The vitamin A derivative stimulates collagen production, which serves to prevent the formation of fine lines, thereby reprogramming the skin to appear youthful.

Since retinol increases the skin’s sensitivity to sun damage, incorporating it into your hygiene regimen overnight is ideal.

While more potent creams are available by prescription, there are also numerous alternatives available over the counter.

Additionally, a night cream may be utilized to treat creases. Night creams are thick, exceptionally hydrating lotions that are likely too weighty to be worn during the day due to the greasy appearance they may impart to the skin. Opt for a product that includes retinol and hyaluronic acid, both of which aid in skin hydration.

The Bottom Line

It is not necessary to devote your time during the day to wrinkle prevention; you can even reduce wrinkles while you sleep. While slumber itself can aid in the prevention of wrinkles, the manner in which one sleeps is also significant.

For instance, you should strive to slumber primarily on your back or utilize pillows designed to facilitate back sleeping. Even the pillowcase you choose to use is significant. Satin and silk pillowcases are more effective at minimizing wrinkles.

Lastly, by applying an anti-aging product containing hyaluronic acid or retinol overnight, the skin can feel firmer.