Do Pillows Cause Wrinkles? The Truth Under Your Face

That annoying crease you wake up with? It might be a sign

I remember waking up one morning before a job interview, looked in the mirror, and—bam—there it was: a deep line across my cheek like I’d fought with the pillow and lost. My friend Jess had warned me about this. “Pillow wrinkles,” she said, “They’re real, and they stick around.”

I didn’t want to believe her. But curiosity (and vanity) got the best of me. So I did some digging. And guess what? Your pillow might be messing with your skin more than you think.

What exactly are “sleep wrinkles”?

Not your average expression lines

Sleep wrinkles are different from the ones you get from smiling or frowning. They’re caused by mechanical compression—basically, your face getting squished into your pillow night after night. Over time, this can lead to lines on your cheeks, forehead, and even your chest if you sleep on your side or stomach.

I know, right? Super unfair. You’re literally trying to rest and you get punished for it.

They don’t fade as easily over time

At first, these creases fade after a few hours. But as skin loses collagen and elasticity (hello, aging), they start sticking around longer and longer. Until one day, they don’t leave at all. And you’re left wondering why you have a line that perfectly matches your memory foam pillow.

The science (yep, there’s real data)

Dermatologists confirm the risk

Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist, says side and stomach sleeping are the worst for your skin. According to studies, consistent facial pressure on fabric can damage the dermis over time.

One study in Aesthetic Surgery Journal even found that sleep posture is the third leading cause of facial wrinkles, after sun exposure and natural aging.

Okay, third place isn't the worst, but still. It's on the podium.

Materials matter

Not all pillows are equal. Rough cotton? Bad news. Polyester blend? Meh. But silk or satin pillowcases can reduce friction, meaning fewer creases.

I switched to a silk pillowcase last year (thank you TikTok influencers), and not only is it cooler at night, but I actually noticed fewer crease lines in the morning. Placebo? Maybe. But I’m not going back.

So what can you do? (Besides never sleeping again)

Back sleeping: the gold standard

If you can train yourself to sleep on your back—congrats, you're a unicorn. It’s the best position to avoid pressure on your face. I tried it for two weeks. Lasted three hours each night, then woke up curled in fetal position. Not proud.

But even reducing side-sleeping nights helps.

Use a silk or satin pillowcase

It’s not just luxury nonsense—it makes a real difference in friction reduction and skin hydration. Cotton absorbs moisture from your skin. Silk doesn’t. Your face stays more hydrated. Your products don’t go to waste. Win-win.

Anti-wrinkle sleep pillows (yes, they exist)

There are specially designed pillows that cradle your head and minimize contact with your face. They look weird, but hey—if it works, it works. My cousin swears by hers and says it's the only reason her right cheek still looks 30.

Nighttime skincare still matters

A pillow isn’t your enemy if your skin is well-prepped. Using retinol, hyaluronic acid, or peptides before bed can help fight the signs of damage. Just don’t count on skincare alone if you’re smooshing your face into the mattress eight hours a night.

My personal shift (and small regret)

Honestly, I ignored all of this for years. Figured it was “not a big deal.” But now in my 30s, I’ve got a permanent crease on the left side of my mouth that doesn’t match the right. It’s subtle… but it’s there.

Jess still teases me: “Told you to get that silk case back in 2018.”
She was right. (Ugh, I hate when that happens.)

Conclusion: pillows don't cause wrinkles—but they sure don’t help

• Yes, sleep position and pillow material can contribute to facial wrinkles

• No, it’s not the only factor (sun, aging, stress all play their part)

• You don’t need to panic—but being mindful can save you years of damage

• Consider switching to back sleeping, silk pillowcases, or both

• Prevention is easier than correction (trust me, Botox ain’t cheap)

Bottom line?
If you’re serious about keeping your skin smooth, maybe it’s time to stop blaming age…
and start blaming your pillow.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.