Can using a certain pillow improve your face shape? One girl took the question to TikTok to share her journey of using a cervical pillow to help fix her asymmetrical face.
Marieanne has shared a few videos on TikTok about her face, calling it, in her opinion, lopsided. She thinks the main reason for this is because she’s a side sleeper. In a video with over three million views as of publishing this story, she bought a cervical pillow to start using, hoping this can help. (1)
She begins the video by showing “the intensity of her lopsidedness.” Marieanne then explains she recently bought a $60 cervical pillow, making a joke that girl math convinced her she could afford it. (1)
She acknowledges that spending $60 on a pillow is not something she typically does, however that’s a small price to pay if it helps fix her face.
“Think about it as a replacement for plastic surgery,” Marieanna says. “I’m saving thousands of dollars.” (1)
The comments were flooded with people sharing similar experiences, explaining how their face is also lopsided from sleeping on their sides. Some people even tried to offer advice saying they alternate which side they sleep to not strain one side of their face.
In a follow-up video, Marianne shared her initial thoughts after using the pillow for two days. She explains the pillow would be great for anyone with chronic back pain; however the people who told her this was the best and most comfortable sleeping arrangement were lying.
“I literally had to force myself to fall asleep on it, that’s how bad it was,” she said. Marianne explains the cervical pillow is pretty hard and overall just uncomfortable. (2)
Although it’s not the comfiest pillow, she knows it’s too soon to see if it can make a difference to her face. She’s going to continue to try out the cervical pillow and provide another update in a few weeks.
Why and How Would a Cervical Pillow Help Your Face Shape?
A cervical pillow is designed to support the neck and spine in a neutral position mostly used to help reduce neck pain, Dr. Sean Ormond, a dual board-certified doctor in anesthesiology and interventional pain management, told Sleepopolis.
Ormond explained that some people believe a cervical pillow can help to fix an asymmetrical face because it’s often used to improve the alignment of head and spine.
“When the head and spine are aligned, the muscles in the face are less likely to be pulled or strained,” he said. “This can lead to a more symmetrical appearance over time.”
Ormond stresses that there is no significant evidence to support that a cervical pillow can fix an asymmetrical face and more research is needed to determine if a cervical pillow can be an effective treatment option.
There is nothing wrong with having an asymmetrical face — however if this is something you want to experiment with for what would likely be a placebo effect, Ormond recommends trying the following:
- Sleep on your back. Side and stomach sleeping can lead to uneven pressure on your face, ultimately causing the lopsidedness.
- Avoid chewing gum. While chewing gum, the muscles on one side of your face are working harder than the other.
- Avoid repetitive facial expressions. Seems like a no brainer, but making the same expression can lead to an uneven face.
- See a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. If you are concerned about your facial asymmetry, seek a doctor to provide you with the best treatment options for you.
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Sources
1. Marianne, mariii_chaa on TikTok. TikTok. October 17, 2024. https://www.tiktok.com/@mariii_chaa/video/7290683618073136430.
2. Marianne, mariii_chaa on TikTok. TikTok. October 19, 2024. https://www.tiktok.com/@mariii_chaa/video/7291408142317948203.
Ormond, Sean. Personal Interview. October 2024.