Does The Way You Sleep Affect Your Face Shape? And Tips On How To Change It
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
Ooof. That’s an interesting question, isn’t it? Well, maybe to me anyway as a facialist.
The slightly frustrating thing about sleep positions is that they’re something we do completely unconsciously. We’re not lying there at 3am thinking about facial structure or lymphatic drainage, we’re just trying to get comfortable and stay asleep. But over time, the way we sleep can have an effect on the face, which is why it’s worth understanding what’s going on and what, if anything, we can realistically do about it.
Look, I’m a bit of a weirdo. I’m a back sleeper, but with my legs twisted into some kind of knot. I’ve apparently slept like this since I was a baby and never felt the need to change it. If it works for me, then it works for me.
From a skin and facial structure point of view, sleeping on your back is generally said to be the most favourable position. It allows the tissues of the face to settle backwards rather than being crushed to one side and it reduces the constant pressure on the face that can cause sleep lines forming over time. I’ve seen many clients over the years who sleep consistently on one side and have a very clear crease that mirrors their favourite sleeping position.
Sleeping face down is usually the least ideal, although it doesn’t take a genius to work out why. Pressing your face into a pillow for seven hours a night, if you’re lucky enough to get that much sleep, is going to influence the muscles and tissues over time. On top of that, your skin is in constant contact with fabric that can hold sweat, skincare residue and bacteria, which isn’t great for barrier function or inflammation, particularly if you’re prone to acne or pigmentation where friction can make things worse.
That said, it’s important to keep this in perspective. Face sleepers aren’t walking around looking like they’ve run into a wall and side sleepers don’t have one visibly squished side of their face. These changes are subtle and happen gradually. However, if you have fillers, it’s something worth being aware of.
Fillers are hydrophilic, meaning they draw water towards them. Over time, especially if there is a lot of filler present, this can contribute to puffiness. Sleeping on your face or heavily on one side may encourage fluid to pool in certain areas, such as under the eyes or around the cheeks, which can add to that swollen look (a la Simon Cowell).
So can you change how you sleep? Sometimes, yes, but it won't change overnight.
We tend to sleep in positions that feel comfortable and safe and things like breathing patterns and stress levels play a role here too. Forcing yourself into a position you hate will usually just result in a worse night’s sleep, which is of course never the goal.
A good place to start is simply setting your 'starting position' on your back. Placing a rolled towel or pillow under your knees can take pressure off your lower back and make this position feel far more comfortable. You can also place pillows along either side of your body to gently cocoon yourself and reduce how much you roll over during the night. I know, this is a bit of a passion killer, but hanky panky needs to be completed before nighty nighty anyway right?!?!
It’s also worth remembering that when we’re stressed or anxious, we often curl up into a more protective position on our side. Working on anxiety levels is beneficial for lots of reasons, but using a sleep meditation or something calming before bed can help your body feel safe enough to relax without needing to curl inwards. If you want to try any of my sleep meditations, you can do so here. Also, my Calm Botanical Essence is gorgeous to help with sleep. Pop a few drops on a tissue and rest it on the top of your pillow.
If none of that works, patience is key. Changing sleep habits takes time and for some people, back sleeping simply isn’t realistic. In that case, a silk pillowcase can make a noticeable difference by reducing friction on the skin and helping to prevent sleep lines. They’re also brilliant for reducing hair breakage. Keeping your skin barrier strong and well supported will also help your skin cope better overall.
At the end of the day, a good, comfortable night’s sleep will always beat a poor night’s sleep in any case.
If you’d like to learn more about your skin, how to strengthen your barrier and how good sleep fits into skin health, please book an online consultation with me here. We can look at your skin properly and create a plan that works for your life and your sleeping habits.
Thank you so much for reading,
Emmaline
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