Sleep "scars" aren't actually scars in the traditional sense, like those from injuries or surgery. Instead, the term often refers to sleep lines, which are temporary wrinkles that appear on the face while sleeping. These lines are caused by the pressure and friction between your skin and your pillow. The consistent folding and creasing of the skin during sleep can lead to visible lines, particularly if you sleep in the same position every night.
Understanding Sleep Lines
- Formation: Sleep lines form because of the friction and pressure exerted on your skin by your pillow. This repetitive action causes the skin to fold and crease, leading to the appearance of lines. [Source: https://medicine.uq.edu.au/article/2024/05/sleep-wrinkles-are-real-here%E2%80%99s-how-they-leave-their%C2%A0mark]
- Temporary Nature: While noticeable, sleep lines are generally temporary. [Source: https://medicine.uq.edu.au/article/2024/05/sleep-wrinkles-are-real-here%E2%80%99s-how-they-leave-their%C2%A0mark] As your skin has elasticity, these lines usually disappear after you wake up. However, as we age and skin elasticity decreases, these lines can become more permanent.
- Contributing Factors: Insufficient skin hydration and the underlying structure of the skin (SMAS – superficial musculoaponeurotic system) play a role in the development and prominence of these lines. [Source: https://laserdocs.co.uk/what-are-sleep-lines/] A pillow or hand test can accentuate the appearance of these lines. [Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9935097/]
Distinguishing Sleep Lines from Actual Scars
It's crucial to differentiate sleep lines from actual scars. Actual scars are permanent changes in the skin's structure resulting from injury or surgery, as discussed in relation to acne atrophic scars and the effects of surgery around implants [Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38292007/, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/obstructive-sleep-apnea/hypoglossal-nerve-stimulation]. Sleep lines are temporary creases and wrinkles, not permanent changes to the skin's structure.
