How to avoid sleep wrinkles?

We find them adorable on the cheeks of babies waking up from a long nap. We appreciate them a little less when they line our face and find them in the mirror reflection. However, pillow marks or sleep wrinkles have something to say. Because yes, these ephemeral scars translate the messages sent by our skin.

The importance of sleep position

For Isabel Rousseau, vice president of the National Society of Dermatologists and Venereologists, “a sleep wrinkle, distinct from expression lines, often appears on the cheeks of people who always sleep in the same way and on the same side.” Thus, during the night, the skin folds and stays in the same position for several hours. “When you wake up, the wrinkle is visible because the skin has not yet returned to its original shape, and over time it will become more and more pronounced.” So by sleeping on your side or stomach, you are encouraging repeated rubbing of the pillow and therefore the formation of these marks. The solution to avoid this phenomenon seems simple. “Someone who sleeps on their back will not have sleep wrinkles, so they need to change their position,” adds the dermatologist, who practices in Lille.

For those who cannot change their habits, American dermatologist Joshua Zeichner suggests in an article: Huffington Post invest in silk pillowcases “made from natural fibers, and [qui] therefore offering less friction and better breathability“. Brands like Venus & Gaia, Chillsick and Emily’s Pillow offer these types of products in France. But for a member of the National Society of Dermatologists and Venereologists, this is more of a marketing argument. “It’s really a question of skin position, so I think it would be wiser to prefer a fairly soft pillow where the memory is formed. the skin could relax.”

Loss of elasticity

But even if these wrinkles tend to disappear after a few minutes, they can be an indicator of skin that lacks elasticity, as Isabel Rousseau points out: , collagen and elastin. It is the latter that ensures the elasticity of the skin and allows it to return to normal when the skin is wrinkled. The only problem is that its production stops after puberty. “And after 55, you have almost nothing left, so it gets complicated. The older we get, the less elastin and collagen we have. therefore, the skin elongates.”

A dermatologist emphasizes the importance of hydration in and out. “You need to drink a lot – 2 liters of water a day and use treatments (ointments or serums). The two activities really complement each other.” As for drinking collagen to compensate for its loss, Isabel Rousseau is cautious. “It may improve when we consume it, but it is not lasting. You should know that this drinking collagen is first absorbed by the intestines, liver… and the skin is served last. For the specialist, it is better to target the collagen found in foods such as chicken broth and fish soup; “This allows you to maintain your collagen levels without increasing your budget.” Simple and affordable tips to help us limit these wrinkles, which through repetition can become long lasting.