If You Wake Up With Pillow Prints On Your Face, Your Skin Is Trying To Tell You Something

If you’ve ever woken up with significantly more wrinkles than you had when you lay down, you’re probably familiar with the term “pillow prints.” Also called “sleep wrinkles” and “sleep creases,” they can be a scary sight to behold, especially before you’ve had your first cup of morning coffee.

We asked experts to tell us what causes pillow prints in the first place, if they’re a sign of a more serious problem, and how to prevent them.

Why am I suddenly so wrinkly?

“Pillow lines are temporary wrinkles that appear due to facial or body positioning during sleep that results in uneven pressure and skin folding,” explained dermatologist Dr. Kristina Collins .

“They’re the result of repetitive pressure on the face,” said dermatologist Dr. Teresa Songof Marmur Medical.

Certain sleeping positions increase the odds of creating them, experts said. “ Side sleepers and face-down sleepers will frequently wake up with these creases,” Collins said. “When I see cosmetic patients in consultation, I can almost always tell which side of their face they like to sleep on, because aging is more advanced on that side.”

Why is that? “Prolonged and repetitive pressure on the same areas of the face may contribute to premature aging in the area,” Song explained.

Besides your sleep position, other factors could be a part of the issue. “The natural aging process plays a role,” said dermatologist Dr. Sonia Badreshia . “As we age, our skin loses collagen and elasticity, making it more prone to forming these creases.

“Also, the material of your bedding can impact the likelihood of developing pillow prints. Rougher fabrics can create more pronounced lines, while smoother materials like silk or satin are less likely to cause them.”

It could be a