Constantly reminded by health experts and physicians to get our eight hours of beauty rest, sleep is regarded as one of the biggest defenses against aging. However, sleep may be responsible for giving you wrinkles…in an inadvertent way.
While an adequate night’s rest is a legitimate way to ward off premature aging, the position in which you sleep may be responsible for fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology explains that sleeping face-down or sideways may cause lines of the face, neck and chest. Crow’s feet and cleavage wrinkles are common results of repeatedly sleeping on one’s side or stomach. In fact, you can distinguish sleep lines from average wrinkles by applying pressure to the area you sleep on. Are the lines magnified? Chances are, these lines are a result of sleep positioning.
Not to worry, there are very simple, natural solutions to this sleep dilemma. The most straightforward way to prevent such wrinkling is to change your sleep position by training yourself to sleep on your back. This is the most cost-effective way to address sleep lines. If sleeping flat on your back is not an option, there are specialty pillows available for purchase.
Worn like a bra, there is a pillow intended to prevent chest wrinkling by acting as a wedge between the cleavage. To prevent lines of the face, there are memory foam type pillows claiming to prevent wrinkling. Keep in mind, not much is known regarding the actual proof of effectiveness. Many cosmetic surgeons and dermatologist believe claims by such pillow manufacturers to be dubious. While specialty pillows may provide a little aid, you should not expect a miracle. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
If crow’s feet are already visible, you may want to consider a solid plan of attack with a neuromodulator like Botox, Dysport or Xeomin as they are long proven to erase these lines. Neuromodulator treatments start around $300, take only 30 minutes to complete and results last up to four months. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion are the most conservative ways to approach “cleavage wrinkles” and are generally suited for patients on the less severe end of the spectrum as they only address the most superficial layers of skin. These mild treatments start around only $100 and do not take long to complete but may cause temporary redness and peeling of the skin. If cleavage wrinkles have become permanent fixtures on your chest, laser treatment, dermabrasion or deep chemical peels are likely a viable solution.
Laser resurfacing is ideal for patients with deeper wrinkling of the chest. A variety of laser technology is available to address these conditions. Erbium, YAG and CO2 (carbon dioxide) lasers are the most common types of lasers used for skin resurfacing. Erbium works at a more superficial, less invasive level while CO2 Laser works at a deeper skin level and is one of the most invasive lasers. Another option is the fractionated YAG laser which is less invasive yet does not penetrate as deep as the CO2 laser. Laser resurfacing costs around $300-$1000 per session.
Undoubtedly, sufficient sleep is important for your health, but make sure your positioning is not wrinkling you. It is best to train yourself to sleep flat on your back, but if it is already too late, you may need cosmetic intervention.
To find out which treatment is best for you, call 423-648-4011 and schedule a complimentary consultation with our Board Certified Surgeons.
Filed under: Botox And Fillers, Cosmetic Procedures Tagged: anti-aging, beauty, Botox, Cosmetic Surgery, dermatology, health, Laser Skin Resurfacing, Xeomin
