Beyond skipping a few days of skin care and the weather taking a toll on your complexion, you may be guilty of subtle day-to-day habits that accelerate the ageing process.
According to an expert, sleeping in the wrong position can damage your skin without you even realising. On the other hand, the right snooze style can pave the way for a wrinkle-free, youthful glow.
“Your sleep position has a direct impact on your skin,” revealed Martin Seeley, a leading sleep expert at MattressNextDay.
“When you spend hours pressing your face into a pillow, it creates repetitive pressure and folding of the skin, which over time can lead to permanent sleep lines and wrinkles.”
Side-sleeping is considered the ‘biggest culprit’ contributing to permanent wrinkles
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As for the “biggest culprit” behind deep creases on your face, sleeping on your stomach tops the list as “most likely to accelerate the formation of sleep lines”, the guru warned.
This is because your skin is being subjected to friction and pressure for hours on end every night.
“Over the years, these repeated forces can break down collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin smooth and supple, making lines harder to smooth out with skin care alone.
“If you’ve been a lifelong stomach sleeper, it may take time to adjust, but even gradually training yourself to sleep more on your back can make a visible difference over time.”
“Try using a medium firm mattress while training yourself to swap postures; this will help you achieve a flatter or more level spine as you sleep.”
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Meanwhile, side sleeping poses a moderate risk to your skin, although it is hailed as the most comfortable option for most.
However, the position can cause “repeated compression on one side of the face”, adding to asymmetrical wrinkles around cheeks and eyes where thinner skin is inclined to crease.
“For natural side sleepers, using a silk pillowcase or an anti-wrinkle pillow can help reduce the impact,” Mr Seeley recommended.
According to the sleep specialist, the “gold standard” sleeping position is simply lying on your back.
Sleeping on your back is the best for your skin, the guru claimed
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“Sleeping on your back is by far the best position for your skin,” the guru shared. “It keeps your face free from friction and pressure, allowing your skin to rest and recover without being squashed against a pillow.
Additionally, he added that the position can support spinal alignment as well as reduce acid reflux.
If you’re in the habit of sleeping on your side, the experts at Mayo Clinic recommend bringing up your legs and placing a pillow between your knees to relieve pressure on your spine, pelvis and hips.