Does the way you sleep affect your face shape?

Author: Miss Britney Morissette  |  Last update: Monday, December 1, 2025

There is no question that sleeping on your side will flatten your face on that side and give you a less symmetrical shape, which can be quite distinct in some people. Regularly changing your sleeping position to ensure you are less likely to have a one-sided sleep is ideal.

Can your face shape change from sleeping?

Study Shows Stomach, Side Sleeping Positions Cause Facial Distortion, Wrinkles Over Time. Compression, tension, and shear forces applied to the face during sleep cause facial distortion when people sleep on their sides and stomach, leading to the development of sleep wrinkles over time, according to a study.

Does sleep affect facial structure?

DARIEN, IL – A new study finds that sleep deprivation affects facial features such as the eyes, mouth and skin, and these features function as cues of sleep loss to other people.

How to fix facial asymmetry from sleeping on side?

How do you fix facial asymmetry from sleeping on the side? Side sleeping strains half the face, etching creases and flattening tissues. Avoid sleeping only on one side by training yourself to alternate. You can also add an extra pillow for unsupported side lifting during side sleep.

Why does your face look different after sleeping?

Sleep. Many people wake up with a puffy face due to overnight fluid retention. Lying down causes fluid to collect in a person's face, but this typically disperses after they get up. As the person starts their morning and spends time upright, these fluids usually disperse.

A sleep doctor explains how your sleep position could cause wrinkles

Why do I look prettier in the morning?

According to dermatologist Dr. Neil Shultz, “Most people experience some facial swelling overnight from lying down. That extra fluid helps to fill out the fine lines, making them less visible.” So, when you wake up, your skin is literally at its plumpest, thanks to all that lovely hydration!

How sleep can change your face?

Sleep deprivation in both men and women was related to looking significantly more fatigued, having more hanging eyelids, redder eyes, more swollen eyes, darker circles under the eyes, more wrinkles/lines around the eyes, more droopy corners of the mouth, and being perceived as more sad.

How do I fix my lopsided face naturally?

Facial Exercises

These exercises can help strengthen the muscles on the weaker or less dominant side of your face, which can help balance out your facial features. Activities such as puckering your lips, raising your eyebrows, or practising different smiles can all contribute to a more symmetrical face.

Will I get a symmetrical face if I start sleeping on my back?

Sleeping posture: Sleeping on your side or stomach can affect facial symmetry due to the pressure exerted on some regions of the face. We suggest sleeping on your back whenever possible. Muscle balance: Maintaining a balance in facial muscles is key to a symmetrical appearance.

How to reverse the effects of sleeping on your side?

Strategic placement of pillows can help you sleep more comfortably on your back. If side sleeping is causing discomfort or pain, try gradually transitioning to back sleeping. Avoid back sleeping if you experience heartburn, snoring, or obstructive sleep apnea.

How should I sleep to improve my face structure?

If you try to sleep on your back for at least part of the night, it helps in preventing, or minimising, the lines and creases throughout the face that can become deeper over time, and helps keep symmetry. Many of the world's models and actresses are known to sleep on their backs to help maintain their famous looks.

How to fix a tired looking face?

Moisturize while skin is damp

Think of a "tired" face like a deflated balloon, a "fresh" face like a round inflated one. If you lightly blot your face and immediately apply your hydrating cream or oil, skin gets plumped up.

What causes facial structure to change?

Facial aging results from a combination of soft tissue and bony changes, with bone loss in specific areas of the facial skeleton contributing significantly to the features of the aging face. This comprehensive review highlights the specific areas known to resorb with aging.

Can you reverse facial asymmetry?

There are a few options for fixing facial asymmetry without surgery. Examples are: Makeup – the play of light and shadow using bronzers, highlighters, and concealers can contour the nose, jawline, and overall face shape to improve facial symmetry. Dermal fillers and wrinkle smoothers can help achieve facial symmetry.

What is the healthiest sleeping position?

"Sleeping on the side seems to have the least negative impact on health," Dr. Pirtle says. Side sleeping is associated with several potential health benefits. Interestingly, the side of the body a person sleeps on can affect what benefits they may receive.

Does sleeping with mouth open change face shape?

Researchers conclude that mouth breathing might lead to changes in the posture of the head and neck, and that chronic mouth breathing can result in an “adenoid face.” This type of facial structure involves a narrow upper dental arch, changes in incisors, an imperfect lip seal, and an increased facial height.

How to fix uneven eyes naturally?

Non-Surgical Remedies
  1. Eye exercises: Strengthening the muscles around the eyes can help improve eyelid appearance.
  2. Proper sleep: Ensuring you sleep on your back can prevent the worsening of asymmetry.
  3. Makeup techniques: Using makeup to visually correct the asymmetry can be a temporary solution.

Can gym fix my asymmetrical face?

Some facial exercises for symmetry can help strengthen facial muscles and improve overall facial balance. By targeting specific muscles, you can enhance symmetry and achieve a more harmonious appearance. Ready for the “tiniest” workout you've ever done?

Can braces fix an asymmetrical face?

When you have an overbite, underbite, or crossbite, your face may look a bit asymmetrical. Braces can correct the bite, and your face shape will transform. Braces focus mostly on the teeth, not the jaw. In cases where your facial asymmetry is caused by the jaw, traditional braces won't provide a significant benefit.

Is an asymmetrical face attractive?

Abstract. Humans find symmetrical faces more attractive than are asymmetrical faces. Evolutionary psychologists claim that our preference for symmetry can be explained in the context of mate choice because symmetry is an honest indicator of the genetic quality of potential mates.

Can chewing on one side cause facial asymmetry?

Previous studies have found that the preferred chewing side (PCS) affects facial asymmetry, but with contradictory conclusions. Some researchers suggest that PCS and a larger chin side locate on opposite sides in the face, whereas others propose that PCS and a larger hemiface correlate [1, 2].

How to fix unequal jaw growth?

To correct unequal jaw growth, we may recommend non-surgical treatments, such as orthodontic devices, or orthognathic (jaw) surgery. How we work to better align your jaws depends on your symptoms, how long you've experienced them and other factors.

Does sleep affect the way you look?

A night of poor sleep can cause unwanted effects on the skin, mouth, and eyes, such as: Paler skin than usual. Wrinkles and fine lines. Hanging corners of the mouth.

Which sleeping position is good for the face?

The back sleeper

“This reduces the risk of developing sleep lines and wrinkles, which can form over time due to friction and pressure on the skin. Back sleeping also helps prevent the accumulation of oils and debris on the face, contributing to clearer skin.”

Does sleeping late affect your face?

Bedtime is an important factor in maintaining skin health. Regular late bedtime not only damages the skin barrier and skin structure but also reduces the diversity and composition of facial bacterial microbiome.

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