Ask A Dermatologist: Do Silk Pillowcases Prevent Wrinkles?

It’s little wonder that silk pillowcases are all the rage. Not only do they feel lovely, they’re also a great way to protect your hair from damage during the night – especially if you have afro hair that needs some extra TLC. But lately, people are speculating whether soft, silky pillowcases can also help prevent wrinkles.

The idea of turning back the clock while you sleep sounds appealing – but is it really true? Here’s Dr Malvina Cunningham, Consultant Dermatologist at Skin + Me, with the answer for us.

Do silk pillowcases prevent wrinkles?

Dr Malvina: “No, unfortunately silk pillows in themselves don’t prevent wrinkles, and there’s no evidence that swapping your cotton pillow for a silk one makes any difference.

What’s far more important than your bedding is how you sleep, and the quality of it too – which can directly impact on skin-ageing.

In a study that looked at the perceived health and attractiveness of sleep-deprived individuals versus well-rested individuals, it was found that when sleep-deprived, we’re perceived as less attractive and less healthy. This is thanks to the physical symptoms of tiredness, like hanging eyelids, red and swollen eyes, darker circles under the eyes, more wrinkles and fine lines and more droopy corners.

There can be a number of reasons for these physical changes, as lack of sleep has been shown to decrease the production of collagen (the building blocks of your skin), which is a major cause of wrinkle formation. The production of hyaluronic acid (another skin component, important for maintaining skin hydration) has also been shown to be reduced through lack of sleep, too.”

Can sleep actually cause wrinkles?

Dr Malvina: “Sleep can lead to the development of ‘sleep wrinkles’. These are far less common and more variable than expression wrinkles, which are the usual type of wrinkles. Our facial skin is subjected to mechanical forces, depending on the positions we sleep in (e.g. on our sides or front) and these forces mean our skin can be stretched into a number of directions throughout the night.

Over time, these forces can lead to the development of sleep wrinkles. These tend to be more perpendicular to our normal expression lines. If you have a tendency to sleep on one side more than the other then that may make you more prone to developing sleep wrinkles on that side preferentially.”

What are the best ways to prevent wrinkles and the signs of skin ageing? 

Dr Malvina: “Although this is a natural process that happens to all of us, appropriate skincare can help the skin look more radiant and healthy. Retinoids are by far the most effective ingredient when it comes to treating skin ageing by targeting fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and skin texture. Retinoids are a large family of Vitamin A derived compounds with weaker versions available over the counter and stronger versions available on prescription such as tretinoin. They can cause irritation when initially used so it is best to start low and slowly but the effects on the skin are worth it.

Sunscreen is an absolute must for anyone concerned and addressing skin ageing and should be worn all year round. Ensure you use a broad-spectrum SPF with a filter of at least 30.

While silk pillows won’t prevent wrinkles, I can’t disagree that they’re lovely! If you feel as though you sleep better with a silk pillow, then actually, they may well indirectly help your skin – as they’ll give you a better night’s sleep, which can give you healthier skin.”

How to improve your sleep (and skin)

Thanks to Dr Malvina we know that we don’t need to invest in silk pillowcases (unless we want to), and we know the importance of using the right products to minimise the early signs of skin-ageing. But how can we improve our sleep, and therefore our skin?

It can be very valuable to take a few minutes before bed to slow down your mind, whether that’s through meditation or simply slowing your breathing. Making a to-do list for the next day can also be beneficial, as you’ve written down everything you need to remember and can forget about it for the night. 

Don’t worry too much about sleep wrinkles. Sleeping on your back may help you to avoid the small chance of sleep wrinkles, but if you just have to sleep on your front, do so! It’s far more important to get a good night’s sleep than to sleep in a particular way.

You should also keep your room cool, and a regular bedtime and wake up can be incredibly helpful for making sure you get the maximum amount of good quality sleep. Sweet dreams!