Sleep Lines: What They Are, How They Form & How to Treat Them
We’ve all woken up with sleep lines at some point—those temporary creases that appear on our faces after a nights sleep. While these lines usually fade after a few hours, for some people, they can become more permanent over time. Sleep lines, also known as sleep wrinkles, are a common sign of ageing, but what exactly are they, how are they formed, and what can be done to prevent or treat them?
What Are Sleep Lines?
Sleep lines are creases that form on the skin as a result of pressure applied during sleep. They are most commonly seen on areas like the forehead, cheeks, and chin, where the skin folds as a person rests their head on a pillow. These lines tend to be more pronounced for people who sleep on their sides or stomach, as the skin is subjected to consistent pressure and friction. Over time, these temporary marks can transition into permanent wrinkles, especially if the skin’s collagen production slows down.
How Are Sleep Lines Formed?
Our skin naturally produces collagen, a protein responsible for keeping it firm, plump, and elastic. However, as we age, collagen production decreases, making the skin more vulnerable to damage from external factors like sun exposure, pollution, and, yes, your sleep position.
When we sleep in a position where parts of the face are compressed against a pillow, the skin folds into creases. While the skin may bounce back temporarily after sleep, over time, repeated pressure and folding can weaken the skin’s structure. The result? Sleep lines that persist throughout the day, especially in areas where the skin is thinner and more delicate, such as around the eyes, mouth, and forehead.
Why Toxin Won’t Treat Sleep Lines
Toxin, a popular injectable treatment that works by temporarily relaxing facial muscles to smooth wrinkles, may seem like a solution for sleep lines. However, it’s not effective for this type of wrinkle. Anti-wrinkle injections target dynamic wrinkles—those caused by repeated muscle movement, such as frown lines or crow’s feet. Sleep lines, on the other hand, are caused by the compression of the skin itself, not by muscle movement.
Because the treatment works by temporarily paralysing muscles, it won’t have any effect on the collagen and elastin in the skin that are crucial for smoothing out sleep lines. Instead, collagen-stimulating treatments are a better option.
Collagen-Boosting Treatments for Sleep Lines
To effectively treat and prevent sleep lines, the focus should be on stimulating collagen production and improving the overall health and elasticity of the skin. Here are a few treatments that can help:
SkinPen Microneedling: SkinPen Microneedling involves creating tiny, controlled punctures in the skin to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. This boosts collagen and elastin production, which can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, including sleep lines. It’s especially effective for improving skin texture and firmness.
Chemical Peels: Chemical peels exfoliate the skin’s outer layers, revealing fresher, smoother skin underneath. They also encourage collagen production, making them an excellent option for treating fine lines and improving skin tone and texture.
Liquid Laser: Liquid Laser strengthens, firms and rebuilds the skin with a light, non-invasive treatment to revise the appearance of fine lines, superficial wrinkles and fragile, weak, crepey or dehydrated skin. Over the course of 14 days, the old dead skin lifts away as the new, healthier skin rebuilds and strengthens for a rejuvenated complexion.
Skin Boosters: Hyaluronic acid-based skin boosters are a popular non-invasive treatment that deeply hydrates and plumps the skin from within. These injectables improve skin elasticity and texture, which can help reduce the visibility of sleep lines over time.
At-Home Skincare for Sleep Line Prevention
While in-clinic treatments are great for stimulating collagen and reducing sleep lines, at-home skincare also plays an important role. Look for products that contain ingredients such as:
Retinoids: These increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen production, helping to smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C promotes collagen synthesis and helps protect the skin from free radicals.
Peptides: These help improve skin structure and elasticity, reducing the formation of fine lines.
Hyaluronic Acid: Known for its hydrating properties, it helps plump the skin and smooth fine lines.
Additionally, consider investing in silk or satin pillowcases. These materials cause less friction on the skin compared to cotton, potentially reducing the formation of sleep lines.
Sleep lines are a natural part of the ageing process, but that doesn’t mean they’re inevitable or permanent. By incorporating collagen-boosting treatments such as SkinPen, chemical peels, Liquid Laser and skin boosters alongside a good skincare routine, you can help minimise their appearance and promote healthier, more resilient skin.
If you’d like to tackle deep-set sleep lines with our in-clinic treatments, or if you’d like to start with a consultation to determine a suitable skincare plan to use at home - please book here.
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