Are you sleeping your way to wrinkles?

One of the biggest concerns for most when it comes to beauty is ageing. And with the increasing number of external factors like sun exposure, pollution, etc keeping wrinkles at bay can be hard. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, resting your face on the pillow the same way every night for years can also cause wrinkles. Often referred to as sleep lines or sleep wrinkles, this is caused by the skin being pressed against a pillowcase which breaks down collagen and elastic tissue over time.

CHANGE YOUR PILLOW CASE
Dr Apratim Goel, dermatologist, Cutis Skin Studio says of course ones sleeping position over time can cause wrinkles. "Skin is subject to wear and tear forces. When we sleep on one side our facial skin touches the pillow and there is a frictional force created that puts a constant strain on the skin and underlying tissues. Over time these lead to formation of static wrinkles called sleep wrinkles," she explains adding, "There are a few steps that can be taken to minimise the effects. Following a good night skin care regime is essential as skin metabolism is highest at night. To minimise friction instead of cotton any other shift material can be used on the pillow covers like silk, satin etc. Also drink at least one glass of water at night before sleeping as it keeps the skin hydrated."

USE SPECIALISED PILLOWS
Priti Mehta, founder and director, Omved says if you sleep with your face buried in the pillow, you could wrinkle your chin, cheeks, or forehead. Two ways to avoid this are changing your sleeping positions and using anti-wrinkle pillows. Buckwheat hull pillows are ideal to sleep on - not only for their orthopaedic support but also as anti-age pillows. The hulls conform to your face and cradles your face and neck to decrease pillow to face contact. The air-gaps caused in the hulls don't put pressure on your face thus preventing wrinkles and minimising eye puffiness. Another option is to sleep on your back. Although according to the science of Ayurveda this may not be so good for your internal organs or your back. For the side sleepers (ideal Ayurveda sleep position) try raising your arm and rest your face in the V nook created," she suggests.

NEVER SLEEP ON THE TUMMY
Sleeping on the side causes creases on your facial skin as the pillow or the bed presses against your cheeks. Years of this compression can make these wrinkles firmer explains Dr Rashmi Shetty, leading cosmetologist and anti-ageing expert. "Most of us end up sleeping on our sides and this causes exaggerated lines on the face, and also between the breast on the décolletage area, making one look a lot more aged. The worst thing to do is sleep on your tummy. One can instead opt for pillows that have an extra bump on the neck to support your neck and keep your spine straight. This prevents the face from compressing into the bed. Years ago, Geishas used to sleep straight with a very hard pillow under their neck. This kept their necks straight and the face safe from any pressure that can cause distortion or lines. Also, anti-ageing creams and products get absorbed by pillowcases when one sleeps, especially if the pillow has a cotton or linen case. This can rub off or wipe off your creams, another reason to sleep erect.