What are sleep lines & how do we treat them?
When we think about wrinkles, we often focus on those caused by facial expressions—frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines. However, there’s another type of wrinkle that can be even more frustrating: sleep lines. Unlike dynamic wrinkles that form due to muscle movement, sleep lines are static lines caused by the repeated pressure of side sleeping. These lines can become more noticeable over time and are often mistaken for Botox-related issues when they emerge after treatment. Let’s explore what sleep lines are, why they appear, and how to effectively address them.
What Are Sleep Lines?
Sleep lines are creases in the skin that develop due to prolonged pressure on the face while sleeping, particularly for side and stomach sleepers. Over time, the repetitive compression and folding of the skin lead to permanent wrinkles, much like creases in a piece of fabric that has been folded the same way for years. These lines typically appear on the forehead, in the brows, and on the cheeks, depending on sleeping habits.
Why Do Sleep Lines Become More Noticeable After Botox?
Many people notice sleep lines for the first time after receiving Botox. This can be surprising, leading to the misconception that Botox has “caused” these lines. In reality, Botox relaxes the dynamic wrinkles formed by muscle movement—such as frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet—allowing any underlying static lines to become more visible. These sleep lines were always there, but they were previously masked by the stronger, more prominent dynamic wrinkles. Once Botox smooths out expression lines, the sleep lines that were left behind come into focus.
Treatment Options for Sleep Lines
While Botox is excellent for addressing dynamic wrinkles, sleep lines require a different approach since they are not caused by muscle movement. Here are some effective treatment options:
Skin Boosters & Polynucleotides – These injectable treatments hydrate and stimulate skin repair, improving skin quality and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
Microneedling – This boosts collagen production, helping to improve skin elasticity and resilience, which can soften sleep lines over time.
Laser Resurfacing – Fractional laser treatments can smooth out the skin by stimulating new collagen production, making sleep lines less noticeable.
Medical-Grade Skincare – Retinoids, peptides, and hyaluronic acid serums can support skin renewal and hydration, improving skin texture and minimizing fine lines.
Adjusting Sleep Habits – Sleeping on your back will reduce the pressure on your face, helping to prevent new sleep lines from forming.
Sleep lines are a natural part of the aging process and are not caused by Botox. Instead, they are a result of long-term skin compression from sleeping positions. If you’ve recently had Botox and noticed new lines that weren’t as obvious before, they were likely always there—just hidden beneath your expression lines. Fortunately, there are multiple treatment options available to help improve their appearance and maintain youthful, healthy skin.
If you’re concerned about sleep lines and want to explore the best treatment options for you, book a consultation with our skin experts in Portadown, to discuss a tailored plan to keep your skin looking fresh and smooth!