What Are Sleep Wrinkles?

Although wrinkles are a part of the natural aging process, the formation of some wrinkles can be exacerbated by the way a person sleeps. These are sometimes referred to as sleep wrinkles. Typically, these form when a person sleeps with her face against her pillow. The majority of these wrinkles can be prevented by sleeping on the back. Using a special pillow or pillowcase, along with moisturizing the face regularly can also help prevent the formation of sleep wrinkles.

When a person sleeps with her face pressed against a pillow, the skin on her face will crease. These creases are often referred to as sleep creases or sleep wrinkles, and they will usually go away several minutes to a couple of hours after getting up. Creases usually disappear because of the presence of elastin in the skin, which helps make the skin supple.

Over time, however, the amount of elastin in a person's skin begins to decrease, making the skin less supple. When this occurs, a person's skin is more likely to become wrinkled. After years of getting sleep wrinkles, they will eventually become permanent.

Sleep wrinkles are more common in people who sleep on their sides or on their stomachs. Side sleepers will typically have sleep winkles on the sides of their faces, since these are the areas of their bodies that are pressed up against the pillows. Some individuals may even notice that they have more wrinkles on one side of their faces, particularly if they sleep on just one side for several years. Sleep wrinkles on the chest are also common on side sleepers.

Stomach sleepers can also develop sleep wrinkles over time. Wrinkles on stomach sleepers, however, are more likely to show up on their foreheads, since this is the area that is usually pressed into the pillow. Those who sleep on their backs, on the other hand, are the least likely to develop sleep wrinkles.

A person can prevent sleep wrinkles a few ways. One of the best ways to prevent these types of wrinkles is by sleeping on the back. This helps ensure that no part of the face is pressed against a pillow. It can be very difficult for most people to change their sleep position, however, especially after years of sleeping in a certain position, such as on their sides.

Special pillows may also help prevent wrinkling skin while sleeping. These are sometimes referred to as anti-wrinkle pillows. When using a pillow of this sort, a person's head is supported, but her face hangs off the side, which helps reduce creases on the face while sleeping. Satin or silk pillow cases can also help reduce the formation of these wrinkles.

One of the best ways to help reduce wrinkles is by moisturizing the face. A good moisturizer with sun protection helps keep the skin supple, and it protects it from the harmful rays of the sun. night-time moisturizers should be applied just before bed, and an SPF moisturizer should be applied upon waking.