If you wake up with more wrinkles than when you slept, you're probably familiar with the term "pillow marks." Also called “sleep wrinkles” and “sleep wrinkles,” they can be a scary sight, especially before your first cup of coffee in the morning.
We asked the experts to tell us what causes fingerprints on the head, whether they're a sign of a more serious problem, and how to prevent them.
Why am I suddenly getting wrinkles?
Nipple lines are temporary wrinkles that appear due to the position of the face or body during sleep and cause pressure and uneven skin folds, explains Dr. Christina Collins _
“It is the result of repeated pressure on the face,” said the dermatologist. Teresa Song of Marmur Medical says :
Experts say certain sleeping positions increase the chances of developing this disease. “ People who sleep on their side and stomach often wake up with these wrinkles,” says Collins. “When I see aesthetic patients in consultation, I can almost always tell which side of the face they like to sleep on, because aging is more severe on that side.”
Why is that? “Long-term repetitive pressure on the same area of the face can cause premature aging of that area,” explains Song.
Apart from your sleeping position, other factors may be causing the problem. “The natural aging process plays a role,” says the dermatologist. Sonya Badreshiya says : “As we age, our skin loses collagen and elasticity, and is more prone to the appearance of wrinkles.
In addition, the bedding material can also affect the likelihood of fingerprints appearing on the pillow. Rougher materials can produce more visible marks, while softer materials such as silk or satin produce less staining.
This could be a sign of your skin's health.
“While pillow creases are temporary, continued pressure on certain areas of skin can lead to long-term loss of collagen and elastic tissue as well as poor circulation in those areas,” says Collins. "This means our mother's advice to 'don't make a face like that or your face will stay like that' is true in many ways."
And pillow prints can reveal what's happening to your skin in more depth. While the marks themselves are harmless, “how your skin reacts to them can be a good indicator of your overall health and elasticity,” says Badreshia.
“If you notice that the marks are taking longer to fade, it could be a sign that the skin is losing elasticity, which is a normal part of aging,” she says. “Seeing how quickly the skin recovers from these wrinkles can provide information about its condition.”
Have you become a back bedroom? This could help.
One thing you can try, although it may be difficult, is to sleep on your back. “This is the best position for aging, if you are on your back, because you avoid direct contact between the skin and the pillow,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, professor and director of cosmetics and clinics. Dermatology Research at Mount Sinai Hospital.
If that doesn't work, side and stomach sleepers should consider pillowcases made from very soft materials, he says. “The pillowcase is made from natural fibers, has minimal friction and provides air circulation, making it an ideal material for fighting sleep lines,” he says.
Changing the products in your laundry routine can also help, Zeichner says. "It is best to wash pillowcases with detergent that does not contain fragrances and dyes," he said. Perfumes and dyes are known to cause allergic skin reactions, especially if pressed for a long time, for example while sleeping. "Fabric conditioners can soften the fabric to reduce friction, but they should also be free of fragrances and dyes."
Make sure you care for your skin during the day and reduce fingerprints at night.
If you're worried about pillow marks, Badreshia says it's best to look at the bigger picture. “Good skin health through hydration, a balanced diet and a proper skin care routine can also help,” she says. "Well hydrated and nourished skin recovers more quickly from temporary wrinkles."
Your nighttime skincare routine may also need some adjustments. “Incorporating a good skin care regimen, especially one that includes products that stimulate collagen production and skin elasticity, can be beneficial not only for reducing acne scars, but also for overall skin health,” says Badreshia.
Zeichner agrees and recommends using moisturizer before bed. “This will help maintain a healthy skin barrier, as well as collagen-boosting ingredients like retinol or peptides that keep the skin foundation as strong as possible and minimize wrinkles,” she says.
It's important to drink enough throughout the day. “If you're dehydrated, your skin won't be able to recover as easily,” says Collins. "Maintaining adequate humidity will reduce the chance of pillow marks developing."