Which sleeping position makes people age faster?

Lying on your stomach or side for too long can cause many wrinkles on the face, especially in women after menopause.

Lack of sleep or sleeping in the wrong position can affect longevity, causing dark circles under the eyes and rough skin. Recently, experts said that sleeping position also affects the level of skin aging and the appearance of wrinkles on the face.

According to expert Emma Coleman, head of clinical practice Bespoke Aesthetics, UK, the condition of waking up with a puffy face in some people is due to fluid accumulating on the face during sleep.

She said that sleeping on your side or stomach can cause more fluid to accumulate. Many people who sleep on their stomachs wake up with lines on their faces or a toothache-like feeling. This can lead to wrinkles in the long run. Sleeping on your back will reduce this. British experts, the American Academy of Dermatology also recommends people sleep on their backs to avoid premature aging of the face.

Other causes of eye bags and wrinkles include sleeping with makeup on, drinking too much alcohol, eating too much salt, or hormonal changes. These swellings are temporary and will disappear in an hour or so.

However, as people age, the marks from bed sheets and pillows on their faces take a long time to disappear.

"This stage, the puffy, just-out-of-bed-face feeling, can last until noon. Worse still, putting pressure on one side of your face for too long, in the same position, can also cause wrinkles," explains Coleman.

A woman is lying on her side to sleep. Photo: Freepik — A woman is lying on her side to sleep. Photo: *Freepik*

As people age, their faces become less symmetrical, says Dr. Amanda Wong Powell, clinical director of Courthouse Clinics. Wrinkles are essentially repetitive movements. Over time, habits like raising your eyebrows and frowning create permanent lines. Since people can’t completely eliminate facial expressions, Dr. Powell recommends sleeping in the right position to reduce wrinkles.

"When I look at patients, I can tell which side they sleep on. For example, more wrinkles on the right cheek mean they've been sleeping on their right side," she explains.

Coleman even claims she can predict 90% of her patients' preferred sleeping positions just by looking at their faces. She says that after menopause, women who sleep in the same position for three to six months can develop permanent wrinkles on their face and chest.

“There is some evidence that sleeping on one side too much can cause dermatitis herpetiformis, a common inflammation of the cartilage above the ear. It appears as small, tender bumps or round lumps,” says Dr Adam Friedmann, consultant dermatologist at Harley.

According to experts, using the wrong mattress also affects sleep. Mattresses that are too hard can cause back pain, causing people to unconsciously turn into bad postures, thereby causing premature aging.

“The days of the firmer the better are long gone. Now, I recommend choosing a mattress that is comfortable, but still supportive enough for your back to ensure good sleeping posture,” says Sammy Margo, a sleep expert and physical therapist.

Petite women with a narrow waist or who sleep on their sides need a soft mattress that fits snugly around their hips, she explains. Essentially, the mattress needs to provide effective spinal support and should be replaced every eight years.

Thuc Linh (According to Daily Mail )

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