Sleeping Beauty

How to Reduce Facial Aging with Proper Sleep Positions

We do so much to make our skin look good in the morning. But without proper rest, the face is destined to look unhealthy and tired. Most patients understand the importance of getting enough sleep each night, and the effect that ample sleep can have on improving skin tone, texture, and appearance. What is less readily known is how the positions we sleep in affect anti-aging efforts and postprocedure recovery. There are several ways in which sleep position can impact the process of facial aging. Here are some great tips to share with your clients!

LYING HORIZONTALLY

Regardless of what position you sleep in, the act of laying in a horizontal position of any nature will inevitably shift the balance of fluid distribution towards the upper body. This fluid shift is frequently manifested by facial swelling seen early in the morning when we first wake up and is especially noticeable around the eyes and in the upper cheek area.

Facial swelling associated with sleep, although inconvenient and unsightly, usually disappears within a short period of time after the upright position is regained. However, it’s important to note that the long term effects of this continuous cyclical swelling should not be underestimated.

Daily expansion and contraction of the facial tissue puts a strain on the ligamentous support of the face, which may eventually lead to stretching and sagging associated with an aged appearance.