Dr. Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask

Who is Dr Harris?

Dr Steven Harris is a leading aesthetic practitioner based in London. He specialises in injectable non-surgical treatments and is renowned for his Nonsurgical Lip Lift technique. He invented his Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask when frustrated by how little relaxation could be gained from wearing a normal sleep mask on a long-haul flight, by realising he could adapt the mask to press on pressure-sensitive structures in the forehead, to deliver a relaxing effect.

How does the Dr Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask work?

The raised silicone bobbles inside the Dr Harris mask press lightly on pressure-sensitive ‘mechanoreceptors’ in the forehead, and this creates a relaxing effect on the whole body. This does two things. First, it relaxes the muscles that pull the eyebrows together to create the vertical lines between the eyebrows which are often known as the ‘elevens’, which softens those lines. Secondly, it creates an ‘emotional relaxation’ effect, so that you feel mentally and physically calmer.

What is a mechanoreceptor?

Mechanoreceptors are sensory receptors that are found in the skin. Pressing gently on them has a calming effect on the autonomic nervous system, and puts our bodies into a relaxed state. Wearing the mask for just 15 minutes moves us from an adrenalised ‘fight-or-flight’ state towards a more serene ‘rest-and-digest’ state.

Are mechanoreceptors the same as acupuncture or acupressure points?

Not quite, though an acupuncturist will tell you that pressing lightly on points in the ‘governor channel’ which runs vertically up the forehead will certainly make you feel relaxed and sleepy.

Is the Dr Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask clinically proven?

Yes, Dr Harris and a team of clinical colleagues put his Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask through a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 2016. The trial found that the mask genuinely and significantly reduced the look of vertical frown lines on the forehead, and also that it created a genuine emotional relaxation. The trial was published in the aesthetic-industry peer-reviewed journal Prime, and won an award from the British College of Aesthetic Medicine for the rigorous way in which it was conducted.

What are the benefits of the Dr Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask?

There are two key benefits that you’ll find when you try the Dr Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask. The first is that it relaxes the muscles in your forehead that create the ‘11s’ – the vertical frown lines – so those lines look softer. The other key benefit is that it has a noticeably soothing effect on your mind.

How long do I need to wear the Dr Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask for?

You only have to wear the Dr Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep mask for 15 minutes to see and feel the benefits. In just that short time you can both see the relaxing effect that it can have on vertical wrinkle-lines between the eyebrows, and you can feel the emotional-relaxation effect as a general feeling of calm washing over you.

What results can I expect from the Dr Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask?

There are two key things that you can expect from the Dr Harris Mask. A softening of vertical frown lines (the mask has been shown to soften these for up to five hours after 15 minutes’ wear, or for longer if you wear it overnight) and you should feel calmer, too.

Does the Dr Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask hurt?

No, the mask doesn’t hurt. The silicone dots on the inside of it are smoothly rounded and they only press lightly on the appropriate areas – in a triangle above your eyebrows, and around the sides of the eyes.

Do I have to wear the Dr Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask every day?

It is completely up to you how much you choose to wear the Dr Harris mask. You can see the effects that it gives in just one 15-minute session. If you wear it overnight, the anti-wrinkle effects last for longer and some of us suspect, that if you do wear it every day, there may be cumulative effects, though this has not yet been studied.

Is the Dr Harris Anti-Wrinkle Mask washable?

Yes, the Dr Harris Mask is washable – I prefer to wash mine by hand rather than sticking it in the machine. If you machine-wash it, keep it on a cool, gentle wash and don’t tumble-dry it.

Can I use my normal skin skincare with the Dr Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask?

Yes absolutely – you can do your skincare routine, day or evening, as normal before you wear the Dr Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask. The one thing I’d watch for is to let your skincare be properly absorbed before you pop the mask on, so that those silicone dots can get a light grip on your skin, which keeps it in place. That’s harder if you have face oil, or a heavy night cream that is making your skin slippery.