What happens: Compressing your face against a pillow for hours creates “sleep lines” – wrinkles etched into the skin. Over years, these can become permanent. Right-side sleepers tend to develop more wrinkles on the right side of their face.
The evidence: Studies on sleep wrinkles have found that side sleepers have more facial wrinkles than back sleepers. The effect is cumulative.
Who is most at risk: Anyone who cares about facial aging. People with delicate or mature skin.
What you can do: Sleep on your back. Use a silk or satin pillowcase (reduces friction). Some people use special “beauty pillows” with cutouts for the face – but back sleeping is the most effective.
Is Left-Side Sleeping Always Better?
Now that I’ve listed potential risks of right-side sleeping, you might assume left-side sleeping is always better. It’s not that simple.
Left-side sleeping benefits:
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Reduces acid reflux and heartburn
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May improve circulation for pregnant people (relieves pressure on the inferior vena cava)
