My mother always told me not to lay flat on my tummy to sleep. This position causes strain on the back, a “poochy” stomach and facial wrinkles. So it is no surprise to find out ancient Egyptian queens loved to sleep on silk pillows. Silk is smoother and allows your face to slide on the pillow which tends to slightly stretch the skin instead of bunching\pushing.
According to Chinese legend, silk was discovered around 3000 B.C. by Lady Hsi-Ling-Shi, wife of the Emperor Huang Ti, while she was having tea in her garden under a mulberry tree. A silkworm dropped into her cup and the cocoon unraveled into the most delicate of threads. She lifted these out of her brew with chopsticks and, seeing their beauty, asked her entourage to weave them into a garment. And so, a closely guarded secret was born. For more than 2,000 years, silk was reserved for emperors and the highest of dignitaries, and smuggling silkworms out of China was a crime punishable by death.
Manhattan dermatologist Francesca Fusco explains: “Because silk is so smooth, it will not make crease marks on your face. Because it’s hypoallergenic, it won’t cause irritation. And because silk does not retain moisture, it won’t wick moisture or your anti-aging cream away from your skin.”
There’s speculation that the amino acids in silk lend proteins to the skin and hair. The British Journal of Dermatology published a study concluding that wearing silk is calming to the skin of children with eczema.
Sleep is extremely important to your health and age management. During sleep our bodies go into a deep rest allowing cellular restoration. Sleeping is the only time this particular event occurs. You should sleep about 8 hours per day to keep your body fit. Silk is softer and more gentle and combined with some lavender can promote a very restful, gentle and deep sleep without the harshness cotton may provide.
Remember to change your pillowcase regularly. The Oils from your face and hair, dirt, grime, saliva can lead to skin irritations and breakouts.
Some excellent online resources for trying a silk pillowcase are included below.
Sleep well and wake up to a softer and smoother face in the mirror.
