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From ‘sleep lines’ to facial asymmetry, dermatologists reveal how your favourite sleeping position could be reshaping your face

Sleep has entered a paradisiacal phase in the beauty industry. From silk pillowcases and viral anti-wrinkle pillows to sleep-enhancing products and even mouth tape, brands are increasingly tapping into the idea of ‘beauty sleep’. But as skincare culture grows more granular, even the way we sleep has come under scrutiny. Now, there’s a rising anxiety around something deceptively simple: sleeping on your side. Could your favourite sleeping position be etching lines into your face night after night?

Anatomy of a sleep line

In simple terms, when asked, Dr Geeta Grewal, cosmetic surgeon and founder of 9 Muses Wellness Clinic and 9M Skincare, puts it plainly: “Yes, sleeping on your side can lead to ageing and wrinkles.” These occur through the formation of what are known as ‘sleep wrinkles’. Side sleeping is widely considered one of the most comfortable positions. But from a purely aesthetic standpoint, it is not so.

"Unlike expression lines caused by muscle contractions, these are the result of mechanical shear and compression forces applied to the skin for hours at a time. Research published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal indicates that because we spend approximately 65% of our sleep cycle on our sides, repetitive lateral pressure consistently reinforces these creases. Over time, these temporary ‘pillow marks’ become permanent as the skin loses its ability to snap back,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr Kiran Sethi, founder of Isya Aesthetics and Active Longevity, Delhi.