Does Sleeping Position Affect Face Shape? – We Answered with Science

grayscale photo of woman face shape

Does Sleeping Position Affect Face Shape?

Are you wondering if sleeping position affects your face shape? There is a lot of debate on the internet about whether sleeping position affects face shape.

We did some digging and found science-based answers to this question.

Table Of Contents
  1. Does Sleeping Position Affect Face Shape?

Does Sleeping Position Affect Face Shape?

Yes, sleeping in certain positions can cause facial wrinkles or distortion over time. This is because compression is applied to the face during sleep which can lead to the development of sleep wrinkles. Sleeping on your side or stomach are the two worst positions for your face as they put a lot of stress on the skin.

woman face shape

Choose a sleeping position that is comfortable and prevents stress on your lower back. Sleeping on your back can help with neck and back issues, while sleeping on your side or stomach may have the strongest impact on your face shape.

Key Takeaways

  • Sleeping on your stomach or on your side is said to cause sleep wrinkles
  • Sleeping on your back prevents sleep wrinkles or distortion
  • The effect is likely to be relatively small, not noticeable to people
  • By consuming collagen-rich supplements you can retain your facial shape
  • Sleeping on your back may not be ideal if you suffer from sleep apnea, reflux or snoring
  • These can create problems in interpersonal relationships

What is the science behind sleeping positions and face shape?

It’s a common belief that the position you sleep in can affect your face shape. And while there is some truth to this, it’s not as simple as saying that sleeping on your side will make your face thinner.

For example, sleeping on your side is said to cause wrinkles, while sleeping on your back prevents them. But is there any truth to this?

When you sleep, your face rests against the pillow. This can cause your skin to wrinkle and your cheeks to distort or flatten.

A study published in 2016 in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal found that people who slept on their stomach or side had more wrinkles than those who slept on their back. The researchers believe that this is because sleeping on your stomach or side can cause your face to press against the pillow, which leads to wrinkles.

If you want to prevent wrinkles, it’s best to sleep on your back. This will allow your face to rest evenly against the pillow and will minimize the amount of pressure on your skin.

What is sleep distortion?

Sleep distortion is a phenomenon that can occur when you sleep. It can cause your skin to stretch and may contribute to the appearance of aging. Creep is a type of sleep distortion that occurs when a material is subjected to a constant load over time. In response to cyclic repetition, the material will deform over time until it reaches equilibrium.

Sleep distortion is a term used to describe the changes that occur in the appearance of the skin due to sleep. These changes are caused by the interaction between sleep forces, internal forces, and aging changes. Sleep wrinkles are one of the most visible effects of sleep distortion and they are caused by the stretching and compression of the skin that occurs during sleep.

How Does Sleeping on Your Side Affect Your Face Shape?

Sleeping on your side has a significant impact on your face shape. As you lean your face against a pillow, the pressure creates indentations in the skin, which can eventually lead to a lack of facial symmetry. Additionally, sleeping on your side prevents the deposition of fat on your cheekbones, which can cause wrinkles.

Sleeping on your side affects your facial shape over time. When you sleep on your side, the weight of your head presses down on your facial bones, which cause indentations and wrinkles. However, by sleeping on your back and consuming collagen-rich supplements, you can retain your facial shape.

face shape sleeping position

Does sleeping on your back make your face rounder?

There is some evidence to suggest that sleeping on your back can make your face appear rounder. A study published in the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery found that people who slept on their backs had significantly rounder faces than those who slept on their sides.

So, it seems that there is some truth to the claim that sleeping on your back can make your face appear rounder. However, it is worth noting that the effect is likely to be relatively small and may not be noticeable to most people.

Does sleeping on your side make your face thinner?

There are two main factors that determine the shape of your face: the structure of your skull and the amount of fat on your face. The structure of your skull is fixed and can’t be changed. However, the amount of fat on your face can fluctuate, depending on things like weight gain or loss, aging, and hormone levels.

By the way, weighted blankets help with weight loss by improving the metabolic functions of our body.

So, how does sleeping position come into play? Well, when you sleep on your side, gravity pulls down on the fatty tissue in your cheeks and jowls (the lower part of your cheeks), which can make them appear thinner than they actually are.

Does sleeping on your stomach make your face more defined?

Different sleeping positions cause indentations on the face. Sleeping on the stomach will create the most pronounced indentations in the face.

Some people believe that sleeping on your stomach can help to slim down your face by reducing water retention, but there is no scientific evidence to support this.

Sleeping on your stomach however seems to be the least supportive sleeping position in general.

What is the best sleeping position for face shape?

So what is the best sleeping position for your face? Well, it depends on your individual facial features. No matter what facial shape you have, though, one thing is for sure: Sleeping on your back is always better for preventing wrinkles than sleeping on your stomach!

So if you’re worried about aging gracefully, be sure to try and get in some quality back-sleeping time each night.

Should you change your sleeping position to improve your face shape?

Sleeping on your back can help improve the appearance of wrinkles and prevent fluid retention in the face. But should you? It is not always a wise decision to force a new sleep position.

Dr. Steven Y. Park

Dr. Steven Y. Park is a surgeon and he reports that about once every few months, he patients who complains about mysterious symptoms like frequent sinus infections, facial pain or misery.

When he examine her the upper airway is sometimes very narrow, especially when she’s lying flat on her back. When he asks them about their sleeping position, it turns out that woman frequently change their sleeping position because their dermatologist told them that they will get wrinkles on their face if they sleeps on their stomach.

Not unexpectedly, after switching back to tummy sleep, sinus problems get better. What happened? While lying on her back, her tongue falls back more due to gravity, and she stops breathing and keeps waking up.

It is important to find a comfortable position that works for you, as this will help you get the best night’s sleep possible. Poor sleep quality will cause sinus migraines over time, and even more facial wrinkles.

Cons of sleeping on your back

  • Sleeping on your back may not be ideal if you suffer from sleep apnea or snoring, as it can worsen those conditions.
  • Snoring and sleep apnea can create significant problems in interpersonal relationships
  • People who suffer from acid reflux may find that sleeping on their back increases the chances of experiencing heartburn.
  • Sleeping on the back can exacerbate lower back pain

How can you improve your sleep quality overall?

  1. Establish a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends
  2. Create a relaxing bedtime routine. A warm bath, reading or meditation can help you wind down before sleep
  3. Keep your bedroom dark, quiet and cool. Reserve your bed for sleep and sex to create positive associations
  4. Avoid working or using electronic devices in bed. The blue light emitted by screens can disrupt your body’s natural sleep rhythm
  5. Make sure you’re getting enough exercise during the day
  6. Physical activity can help improve your overall sleep quality

Can sleeping on one side cause facial asymmetry?

No. Many people believe that the way you sleep can affect your facial symmetry. For example, if you sleep on your side, your face may become asymmetrical over time. Facial assymetry is mainly based on the structure of your skull which can not be changed.

What is Facial asymmetry?

Facial asymmetry is when the left and right sides of your face are not exactly the same. It is normal to have some degree of facial asymmetry, but severe facial asymmetry can be a sign of a medical condition.

What other factors affect face shape?

  • Age can affect the appearance of the face
  • Bone disorders, degenerative conditions, stroke, and Bell’s palsy can cause a face to appear uneven
  • Our teeth also play a large role in how even our face appears to others

Can sleep affect acne?

Yes. Poor sleep can cause an increase in stress hormones, which can trigger or worsen acne. In addition, poor sleep can also lead to dehydration, which can further aggravate skin problems.

Does sleeping without a shirt cause acne?

Does sleeping without a shirt cause acne? It looks like. Sleeping without a shirt reduces the amount of sweat that is produced because we are cooler. Less sweat means less bacteria on the skin, which is one of the main cause of body acne.

Conclusion

So, does sleeping position affect face shape? The answer is yes – different sleeping positions can actually change the shape of your face. It’s important to be aware of how your sleeping position can affect your facial features.

For example if you regularly sleep in your car it is an extreme situation which may change the shape of your face. And not even safe. I created this list of the best safe places to sleep in your car.

References

Goesel Anson, MD, FACS, Michael A.C. Kane, MD, Val Lambros, MD, FACS, Sleep Wrinkles: Facial Aging and Facial Distortion During Sleep, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 36, Issue 8, September 2016, Pages 931-940, https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjw074

Dr. Steven Y. Park, Columbia University’s College of Physicians & Surgeons – How Your Face Can Predict Your Sleep Position https://doctorstevenpark.com/how-your-face-can-predict-your-sleep-position

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Lez Taylor, Founder and CEO of Corala Blanket. She tried every sleep system and trick to conquer her insomnia for good.