Can You Get Wrinkles From Sleeping on Your Side?

Before-and-after fillers for sleep lines

Looking in the mirror first thing in the morning can present some surprises. Were those face lines always there? The answer may depend on how you’re sleeping.

Does Sleeping On Your Side Cause Wrinkles?

It can! Patients ask me this question often. But don’t panic just yet! Only a small percentage of my patients actually present with this problem. Whew!

The telltale signs that your sleeping position is affecting your face are the presence of vertical lines. Still not sure? Try this: Press your hand against your face like your favorite pillow. Are you seeing the same pattern on your face when you take your hand away? If so, you may have sleep wrinkles, as demonstrated in this diagram.

side sleeping, compression, tension, shear

Source: PR Newswire

However, if you’re noticing a general asymmetry in your features, it’s probably not caused by your sleeping habits. Did you know that all of us have some degree of facial asymmetry (a noticeable difference from the right and left sides of their face)? You may like one side as your “good side” in photographs. The “lesser side” is typically the less symmetrical side that is just part of your natural facial development. Most often your left side is your good side. Rest assured, facial asymmetry is natural and not caused by side or face-plant sleeping. You don’t have to give up spooning or your favorite pillow.

expression wrinkles vs. sleep wrinkles

Source: PR Newswire

Facial symmetry and balance are associated with beauty. If you’re like most people, you’re not born with perfectly symmetrical features. Dermal fillers can help create balance in the cheekbones, correct the presence of under eye bags, and restore volume in the midface. I like to use Restylane® and JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA at my San Francisco Bay Area practice for these areas. Each has distinct properties to help create beautiful bone structure from the inside out.

How To Get Rid of Sleep Wrinkles

There is hope for those who do have sleep wrinkles. Dermal fillers to the rescue! Vertical wrinkles in the cheeks, on the sides of the nose, or forehead can be corrected with Restylane Silk. The viscosity is just right for correcting these fine lines.

How To Prevent Wrinkles From Side Sleeping

The moral of the story: Try sleeping on your back. Easier said than done, I know.

Can’t break the habit? We can help with that. I use dermal fillers like Restylane Silk, along with neuromodulators like BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® to help San Francisco men and women correct those vertical lines.

You can see this in the before-and-after pictures from the patient below. Notice the wrinkles on his forehead from side sleeping have been corrected.

before and after male treatment for side sleeping wrinkles

Now, you can rest easy.

Are You Ready to Hit Snooze on the Wrinkles?

We invite you to call us at (415) 322-3307 or request a consultation online for an in-person evaluation with one of our highly trained Injectors. Online consultations are also available by request. Let us know what works best for you!

Dr. David Mabrie

Dr. David Mabrie

Facial Plastic Surgeon & Founder of Mabrie Facial Institute Dr. David Mabrie is a recognized leader, innovator, and educator in the use of dermal fillers for facial sculpting and has dedicated his practice entirely to facial rejuvenation with injectables. Years of experience led Dr. Mabrie to pioneer the Illumination 360° approach, just one of the ways Dr. Mabrie brings life to his practice’s mantra: “your face, perfected.”

26 Responses to Can You Get Wrinkles From Sleeping on Your Side?

  • Christina says:

    Having Dr. Mabrie is wonderful. I always feel relaxed and know I am in great hands when he is injecting fillers. I will continue to come for maintenance because he makes me look natural never over done.

    • Dr. David Mabrie says:

      @Christina – Thank you so much for checking-out the blog. I love knowing that you feel relaxed and comfortable with your treatment. Maintenance is a great way to maintain your results to keep looking vibrant and fresh.

    • Dr. David Mabrie says:

      Hi Klara – Thank you for your question. Dermal fillers can be used to rejuvenate the hands. Dr. Mabrie is a facial plastic surgeon who specializes in non-surgical rejuvenation of the face. Unfortunately, he does not perform hand restoration. To find a qualified physician in your area, you may want to search RealSelf.com or plastic surgery.org. Best of luck on your search.

    • Klara says:

      Thank you for your response Dr. Mabrie and I still would be interested to come one day for some special treatment of fillers and Botox. Thank you for videos and your educational website . A real treat for any one that come to your practice. 🙂

    • Dr. David Mabrie says:

      Hi Klara – thank you for checking-out the blog. Whenever you’re ready to come into the office, we’ll be here! Thank you so much for letting me know that you find the videos helpful. We’re always creating new ones, so be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest updates! Stay beautiful. 🙂

  • Bonnie B. says:

    Dr . Mabrie is worth the trip to the city. I will never go to another physician for fillers. Dr. Mabrie is the Needle Master.

    • Dr. David Mabrie says:

      @Bonnie – thank you so much for checking-out my blog. I love “Needle Master”! That could be a great social media post. I certainly appreciate you making a trip to the San Francisco office.

    • Kim says:

      Friendly efficient staff members each time. Im surprised at how I instantly see the difference with face fillers. Feels slight, quick, low pain, and little side effects after. Recommend to lift the tiredness and aging out of you

  • Dan says:

    I’ve always wondered if my side sleeping was creating asymmetries or wrinkles! Thanks for clarifying and sharing helpful photos!

    • Dr. David Mabrie says:

      Dan ~ thank you for the feedback. I’m glad you found this blog topic informative. If you do have side sleeping wrinkles or asymmetry, dermal fillers and nuerotoxins (Botox or Dysport) can help. I appreciate your support with our blog. Keep reading and let me know if there is a topic you would like me to cover.

    • Dan says:

      Thank you! I’ve always been curious about the long term benefits of dermal filler. Does starting early and conservatively lead to more graceful aging than waiting until wrinkles and volume loss are more noticeable? What, in your experience, benefits can patients expect by starting dermal filler early and are there any downsides? It’d be great to read a blog post about that.

    • Dr. David Mabrie says:

      Hi Dan – thank you for checking-out my blog and for your questions. Dermal fillers can help you maintain a youthful appearance, but they can also enhance your appearance, so you don’t have to wait until you see the signs of aging to consider their use. By highlighting and defining key points of the face, we can make your face look more balance, rested, and attractive. Be sure to check-out post about Illumination 360 – The Pathway to Your Perfect Face. I’ll discuss in-depth how you can look your best in any lighting and at any angle with the use of dermal fillers.

      There are some studies that suggest the application of dermal fillers stimulates your own collagen production, so there could be secondary benefits that could help you stay looking younger for a longer period of time.

      Thank you for the suggestion of a new topic. We’ll certainly delve into that subject soon. Stay tuned and stay beautiful.

    • Dan says:

      Thanks for the quick answer Dr. Mabrie ill look out for that post! Your 360 approach is pretty genius… your results speak for themselves. I’m hooked for life!

  • Emme says:

    As a side sleeper, I’m glad to see this blog post. I don’t seem to have any sleep wrinkles, but it’s good to know to look out for them!

    • Dr. David Mabrie says:

      @Emme – thank you for checking-out our blog and letting use know that you enjoyed the topic. Do you have any questions or suggestions for our next blog post? Let us know! Stay-tuned for more.

    • Dr. David Mabrie says:

      @Mayloa – thank you for letting us know that you found the blog informative. I understand – it makes you want to convert to sleeping on your back! Stay-tuned for more posts to come.

  • Kelly Aisha says:

    After getting facial fillers can you sleep on your side or on your hand? Meaning, will sleeping on a pillow or your hand cause the fillers to shift or change?
    Thank you,

    • Dr. David Mabrie says:

      @Kelly – thank you for checking-out our blog. This is a great, frequently asked question. If you have dermal fillers, sleeping on your side won’t cause your dermal fillers to shift or change. Once placed, they stay-put. You can also wear glasses (reading, swimming goggles, and SCUBA masks) without worry.

  • Christine says:

    I came across a study fairly recently that showed that sleeping on the side can make little wrinkles in the skin. Maybe a combo of using a special anti wrinkle pillow and having injections is the best route…

  • Lina says:

    I’ve always been curious abut how being a side sleeper was affecting my health and appearance. This is helpful and clarifying!

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