Is there really a link between certain sleep positions and facial aging?
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The way you sleep impacts every part of your body, including your skin. Sleeping on your side, especially if you consistently sleep on the same side, can not only cause back and neck pain, but also compress and pull on your skin.
—Joseph Antoun, MD, PhD, MP
Sleep hygiene is undoubtedly a hot topic among your patients. From the benefits of mouth taping to magnesium and melatonin, "sleepmaxxing" tips are going viral on social media almost every day.
The latest questionable health claim? That side-sleeping can damage the face, leading to facial asymmetry and premature signs of aging.
Some say regular pressure on the face each night can cause a loss of facial definition and symmetry.
Experts note that, while it’s common to notice increased facial asymmetry with age, it’s unlikely that side-sleeping is a factor. A loss of facial volume is a natural part of the aging process. Often, this can make the face appear more asymmetrical than in one’s younger years, as the underlying skeletal structure becomes more evident.
Related: This is when aging speeds upSide-sleeping and facial aging
A notable 2016 study, however, does find evidence of the link between side-sleeping and facial aging, with researchers suggesting that side-sleeping leads to an increase in wrinkles and facial creasing. []
“The way you sleep impacts every part of your body, including your skin,” Joseph Antoun, MD, PhD, MP, tells MDLinx. “Sleeping on your side, especially if you consistently sleep on the same side, can not only cause back and neck pain, but also compress and pull on your skin. The consistent compression of the facial skin cells can cause lasting damage and lead to uneven cellular rejuvenation and blood flow, which actively takes place during sleep.”
Sleep hygiene and aging
Sleep is known to play a significant role in longevity and aging. The body needs sleep for restoration and health. A continual lack of sleep is associated with long-term effects, including dementia and obesity. [][] Poor sleep quality can also affect skin health, cognition, blood pressure, and more. [] [] [] Maintaining good sleep hygiene, including a steady sleep schedule, is one of the best things your patients can do to take care of their health.
“Sleep is one of the five key pillars of longevity, alongside nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and social connection,” Dr. Antoun says. “Establishing a consistent sleep schedule is crucial and helps regulate circadian rhythms, which contribute significantly to longevity. This leads to better metabolic function, cellular renewal, reduced stress on the body, and more longevity benefits.”