Forehead lines, also known as forehead wrinkles or worry lines, are a common concern for many people. These lines can develop for a variety of reasons aside from aging, such as repetitive facial expressions, sun exposure, and lifestyle choices.
While it is impossible to prevent forehead lines completely, there are several methods for reducing their appearance and achieving a smoother, more youthful-looking forehead.
In this article, learn about the causes of forehead lines, the best methods to remove them, and ways to prevent new ones from appearing.
What Causes Forehead Lines?
There are many reasons why forehead lines form and become more pronounced over time.
Aging
Aging is a natural process no one can avoid, with skin starting to age as early as our twenties. During our thirties, wrinkles become more pronounced as the body starts to slow down the production of collagen and elastin.
Note: Learn when is the best time to start using anti-aging products.
UV Overexposure
While being in the sun is necessary for our physical and mental health, overexposure to UV rays without sunscreen has many side effects, including premature aging, and the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles. Frequent tanning, especially in tanning beds, results in the breakdown of collagen and elastin. Consequently, the skin loosens and creates folds and wrinkles.
Note: Learn how to choose the best sunscreen for your skin type.
Smoking
Our bodies are constantly breaking down old and producing new collagen. However, smoking causes the body to produce enzymes that break down collagen faster than the body is able to replace it.
Pollution
As pollution enters the pores, it causes the body to break down the collagen faster than it can be replaced. The most common pollutants are dirt, dust, smoke, and vehicle, industrial, and manufacturing exhaust fumes.
Note: We've selected 18 skin-rejuvenating products designed to combat skin pollution and help your skin thrive. Find them in our guide to anti-pollution skin care.
Makeup Buildup
While makeup itself does not damage the skin, spending prolonged periods of time without removing it can cause clogged pores and restrict the body’s ability to manufacture collagen. Sleeping with makeup on or not removing it for several days at a time can cause premature aging and forehead lines.
Genetics
Genetics typically determine when forehead lines will appear. Factors such as skin thickness, the rate of collagen production, and sun sensitivity are hereditary and influence when wrinkles start becoming apparent. In addition, genetics also determines the strength of facial muscles, with stronger facial muscles causing more wrinkles.
Repetitive Expressions
Expressions such as frowning or squinting can cause dynamic lines on the forehead. These lines typically disappear after your face returns to a relaxed expression. However, with aging and increased frequency of these expressions, the skin does not return to its relaxed state, and the lines become permanent.
Note: Learn about the causes and solutions for loss of skin elasticity.
Stress
When we are under a lot of stress or we are anxious, our bodies produce high levels of cortisol. This hormone speeds up the aging process and breaks down collagen, contributing to faster forehead line formation.
Gravity
Gravity relentlessly drags our bodies and our skin downward. With the passage of time, the skin loses the ability to resist this pull and starts to sag.
How To Get Rid of Forehead Lines: 12 Methods
Luckily, there are many treatments that reduce forehead lines and help prevent new ones from forming.
1. Topical Treatments
Topical treatments are applied directly to the skin in the form of creams, lotions, or serums. The most successful topical treatments for forehead lines typically contain the following ingredients:
- Anti-inflammatory ingredients - Inflammation causes collagen to degrade, speeding up the formation of wrinkles. The best anti-inflammatory ingredients to look for in skin products are niacinamide, dimethicone, and colloidal oatmeal.
- Retinoids – Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and actively reduce fine lines. The most effective retinoids are retinol, tretinoin (Retin-A, generic), tazarotene (Avage, Tazorac), and adapalene (Differin).
- Peptides – Peptides are strings of amino acids that build proteins. Peptides send signals to cells, boosting collagen production and preventing it from breaking down.
- Antioxidants – Antioxidants fight the damage that free radicals leave on the skin. Vitamin C is one of the most potent antioxidants for fighting lines and wrinkles.
- Ceramides – Ceramides have water-retaining properties that make the skin hydrated longer, thus giving it a look of youthful suppleness.
- Magnesium – Magnesium contributes to skin elasticity and hydration. In contrast, the lack of magnesium can result in dry skin and prominent wrinkles. Magnesium can also alleviate sun damage and soothe sensitive and dry skin, which is prone to premature aging.
- Moisturizers – Moisturizers lock in moisture and nutrients and are an essential ingredient of any skincare regimen. Look for products containing glycolic and hyaluronic acid, which hydrate the skin making it plumper and smoother.
Note: Learn about the best moisturizers for aging skin.
2. Wrinkle Patches
Wrinkle patches are worn overnight to keep the muscles in place and prevent the formation of fine lines. They are typically made from medical-grade silicone, which helps the skin retain moisture by pulling water molecules to the surface and preventing them from evaporating.
3. Lasers
Lasers go beyond the outer layer of the skin to stimulate new collagen production by applying heat to the underlying skin layer. Laser photofacial is a form of phototherapy that creates smoother and more youthful-looking skin by removing fine lines, sun damage, pigment and texture irregularities.
Note: For laser treatments in the Phoenix area, book a session at Vibrant Skin Bar.
4. Injectables
Injectables provide immediate results. Injectables that can remove forehead lines include:
- Botox – Forehead Botox paralyzes the muscles to create smoother and wrinkle-free skin. The effects are not permanent and wear off after about 4 months.
- Dermal fillers – Dermal fillers for forehead, such as Restylane, temporarily fill out the lines while allowing your muscles to move freely. Touch-ups are done approximately every 4 months.
Note: Learn about the difference between Botox and fillers.
5. Microneedling
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure where small needles puncture the skin to stimulate the body’s natural healing response, increasing increase collagen production. In recent years, radio frequency microneedling has become popular for creating long-lasting results and smoother, tighter skin on the face.
Note: Vivace Pro is an FDA-approved microneedling treatment that also utilizes radiofrequency (RF) and LED light therapy.
Some medical professionals recommend microneedling with PRP (platelet-rich plasma) or PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) for an even faster healing process and more powerful collagen boost.
6. Chemical Peels
A chemical peel creates deliberate and controlled damage to the skin to remove the top layers of the skin and boost collagen production. The skin peels off after the treatment and is replaced by smoother and tighter skin, reducing fine lines. Depending on the levels of skin damage and wrinkle prominence, your aesthetician might advise different types of chemical peels.
Note: Read our post Microneedling vs. Chemical Peel to learn about the differences between these treatments as well as how to choose the one that's best for you.
7. Fibroblasting
Fibroblasting is a skin tightening treatment that uses plasma to boost collagen and elastin in the skin. The treatment is performed by a skilled medical professional who passes the plasma blast pen over the forehead several times. This pen sends plasma beams directly to the underlying skin layer triggering a collagen production boost.
8. Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion remove skin layers to replace them with new skin that is smoother and tighter. While dermabrasion uses a rapidly rotating brush to remove the surface layer of the skin, microdermabrasion “sandpapers” the skin’s top layer with tiny crystals to remove fine lines and sun-damaged skin. Both treatments are non-invasive and cause minimal discomfort.
Note: Learn about the difference between microdermabrasion and microneedling.
9. Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is effective for skin rejuvenation and cellular function improvement. It utilizes low-level wavelengths of red light to boost collagen production, reduce inflammation, and remove wrinkles and fine lines. Red light therapy is completely safe and can be used daily, at home or a medical spa.
10. Brow Lift
A brow lift is a cosmetic procedure that permanently removes forehead lines. It consists of lifting the brows by removing excess fat and skin. While over time some fine lines can appear in the treated area, the brow lift guarantees a lasting youthful appearance.
Note: Learn more about the Botox brow lift procedure, including what to expect, who is a good candidate, and how much it costs.
11. Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) treats wrinkles caused by sun damage and provides better texture and tone to the treated areas. It also reduces skin roughness, sun damage, and enlarged pores.
12. Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a wellness procedure that rejuvenates the skin and is effective in decreasing wrinkles. It includes a patient stepping into a full body chamber and spending a few minutes in a significantly colder temperature (below 212°F). The cold triggers the body’s natural healing process, tightens the skin, and reduces inflammation that causes fine lines.
How To Prevent the Deepening of Existing Lines and Formation of New Ones?
There are several ways you can prevent existing lines from becoming deeper and new ones from forming.
- Wear sunscreen - With UV rays becoming more damaging in recent years, medical experts advise daily sunscreen application as a form of protection.
- Get a facial treatment - To maintain successful results, patients should regularly repeat or combine wrinkle-removal treatments. Make sure to consult your medical professional to learn which treatment is the most beneficial for the results you wish to achieve.
- Improve lifestyle habits - A healthy lifestyle involves no smoking or drinking, less stress, a healthier diet, more sleep and hydration, and a regular skincare routine.
Note: Read our ultimate skin care guide to learn how to develop a skincare regimen tailored to your skin type.
Conclusion
Removing forehead lines can give you a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. Whether through non-invasive treatments or surgical procedures, patients today have many options to diminish forehead lines and prevent the appearance of new ones.
If you wish to undergo a treatment to remove forehead lines, contact our medical professionals at Vibrant Skin Bar to find the most suitable one.
