Wrinkles are one of the first, most obvious signs of aging but it’s not just furrowing your brow in concentration or frowning that causes them. “Sleep wrinkles” are also an issue, but VIDA has all of the anti-aging and anti-wrinkle treatments you need to turn back the clock. Skin tightening procedures, facial fillers, and of course shifting how you sleep to prevent sleep wrinkles from occurring or worsening are all important steps. When it comes to neurotoxins like Botox, these are a great option to prevent what is called “mechanical stress” (such as frowning). However, these injectables do not impact true sleep wrinkles because these wrinkles are not caused by muscle contraction according to a recent article in Aesthetic Surgery Journal.

Sleeping on your back is ideal for preventing sleep wrinkles, but of course it can be very difficult to change a lifelong habit. Additionally, supine position might be helpful in preventing wrinkles but can worsen other issues like sleep apnea. Fortunately, there are specialty pillows designed specifically to reduce facial deformation while sleeping, which can be a fantastic addition to in-office procedures like dermal fillers. Let’s explore the reality of sleep wrinkles and what researchers have to say about this condition.

What are Wrinkles?

Wrinkles happen where “fault lines” are created in aging skin. There are many causes of these fault lines, primarily “facial expressions” and mechanical compression during sleep. These two causes have wildly different locations, patterns, and etiology—so of course you cannot treat them both in the same manner. Compression, stress, and shear forces manipulate the face when in lateral or prone sleeping positions. Researchers considered the literature that examined wrinkle development, but were also interested in how sleep compression might lead to not only wrinkles but “skin expansion.”

It is true that “facial animation” is the cause for most, and the most severe, wrinkle patterns—but sleep still plays a role. The face is distorted when pressed against any surface, but this largely only happens during sleep. For those who sleep on their backs, the only external forces are that of gravity. Wrinkles evolve into permanency with both time and repetition. Young people have wrinkling that is transient while animated, such as smiling. However, the severity and rate of wrinkles changes as we get older in response to both extrinsic and intrinsic influences.

How Sleep Wrinkles are Different

Sleep wrinkles aren’t like expression wrinkles, because they have an external mechanism of origin rather than internal one. Their location is different, usually occurring at retaining ligaments instead of muscle contraction. Their direction is also usually different, mostly perpendicular to one another. These differences encouraged researchers to consider sleep wrinkles as a different sort of wrinkle classification, as well as the notion that facial distortion while sleeping can lead to wrinkles as well as “overall facial aging.”

A number of “wrinkle classification scales” are already in existence, often based on histology and mechanism. However, sleep wrinkles are currently not included in any of the proposed systems even though the concept of these wrinkles is not new. A number of surgeons have addressed this common issue.

Reversing Lines and Wrinkles

No matter the cause of your wrinkles, there are treatments available. Understanding how your specific wrinkles formed is key to receiving the best treatment and working towards preventing future wrinkles. For instance, expression wrinkles can be both treated and prevented from worsening via Botox. On the other hand, sleep wrinkles might be better treated with a skin tightening procedure (and ordering a specialty pillow). We will work with you to determine a wrinkle-reducing and prevention plan that fits with your unique needs and goals.

At VIDA, we are much more than a medical day spa. Led by Medical Director Dr. Glen, who personally trains all staff, here only MDs and RNs provide injections and all providers are experts in their fields. The skill and knowledge of your provider is just as important as getting matched with the right treatment, particularly when it comes to working on aging skin. Schedule a consultation or appointment at VIDA today by calling the office, or for the quickest response simply fill out the online contact form.