Forehead Wrinkles – How To Get Rid Of Them
Forehead wrinkles tend to be the most prominent facial wrinkle, largely because they cover the biggest area. Disguising these lines can be tricky, since cover up and foundation can ‘settle’ into them, often having the reverse effect.
If you struggle with forehead wrinkles, read on to find out how you can be rid of them…
What Types Of Forehead Wrinkles Are There?
There are a few types of forehead wrinkles, and while some people may only get one type, others may find they have several lines that span the area. To understand your wrinkles better, it’s best to start with some wrinkle basics!
There are two categories of wrinkle – dynamic and static. But what do they mean?
Dynamic wrinkles
Dynamic wrinkles are grooves that form in your skin as a result of a repeated movement. Crows feet at the corner of your eyes are dynamic wrinkles because they’re caused by the contracting muscles in your face. Think of your skin like a piece of paper, the more you fold along the same line, the more pronounced the crease appears – your skin is the same.
Static wrinkles
Static wrinkles are wrinkles that show even when your face is at rest. These lines and furrows are usually due to the loss of elastin and collagen in your skin.
Forehead wrinkles tend to fall into the dynamic category, as they are caused by your expression. The main forehead wrinkles that people come to see us about are:
Worry Lines/Glabella lines
These lines run horizontally across your forehead and can be seen most clearly when you raise your eyebrows. In your teens and early twenties, the skin that’s ‘compressed’ will bounce back, leaving your forehead smooth, but over time these lines become entrenched and can remain visible even when you’re not expressive.
No. 11 Lines/Frown lines
When you frown, you will likely see two vertical lines form between your eyes. These forehead wrinkles are known as frown lines or number 11 lines since they resemble the digits ‘11’. These creases can be deep, showing even when you’re not frowning. And since they are associated with a stern look, it can make you appear downcast or cross, even when you’re not!
How Are Forehead Wrinkles Formed?
So, now you know a little more about the types of forehead wrinkle you have, how have you ended up with them?
Ageing
Sadly, it’s something that even those with the most favourable complexion can’t avoid. Ageing affects your skin considerably as your body slows down the production of elastin and collagen. These two proteins are responsible for the plumpness and springy-ness of your skin, so as they decline, so does the smoothness of your skin.
Sun Damage
Everyone knows that UV rays are bad for your skin, but do you know why? The ultraviolet light damages the DNA in your dermis, the deepest layers of your skin. It can take years for this damaged skin to show on the surface, which is why caring for your skin in the sun is essential throughout your life. Photoaged or sun-damaged skin can look more crepey, with pronounced lines and areas of pigmentation.
Lifestyle
Smoking, drinking too much alcohol and caffeine and not enough water, as well as a poor diet, can contribute to how our skin looks.
Nicotine is well known for narrowing your blood vessels, so the flow of oxygen and nutrients is restricted. Tobacco smoke also contains thousands of toxins, some of which destroy collagen and elastin
The effects of long-term smoking is often grey, dull skin that shows lines more easily (smoker’s lines are another side-effect, and you can read our blog post about treatment here)
Stress
Stress has a bearing on your skin’s health, as well as taking a mental toll. Firstly, you’re more likely to furrow your brow when you’re anxious, adding to the repetitive motion that increases your forehead wrinkle’s prominence. Secondly, lots of people find that they reach for their habits when under pressure; whether that’s cigarettes, wine, coffee or chocolate. Each has an impact on your skin, and none of them are helpful. Lastly, stress releases cortisol which impacts the collagen and elastin in your skin.
Non-Surgical Solutions For Forehead Wrinkles
Dermal fillers
Dermal fillers are one of the most effective forehead wrinkles treatments. Made from hyaluronic acid, dermal fillers are injected into the affected area where the gel-like substance smooths the skin.
Since hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in your body, there’s little chance of a negative reaction. Dermal fillers are absorbable, meaning that they are metabolized over time (broken down), but your treatment should last up to 9 months.
Anti Wrinkle Injections
Anti Wrinkle Injections are another popular treatment for dynamic wrinkles, as it immobilises the muscles that cause the skin creases. The toxin interrupts the communication between your nerves and the muscles, so your forehead remains smooth, even if you lift your brows.
Results usually lasts about 3 – 4 months, but you may find that you’ll require less frequent treatment over time.
Chemical peel
Chemical peels come in three strengths, with the strongest peel able to treat deep forehead wrinkles, acne scarring and uneven skin tone.
All peels have the same premise; they chemically exfoliate old skin cells, while stimulating new skin cell growth.
The depth of the peel refers to how many layers of skin is treated – superficial peels deal with just the top layer of skin. It’s a fairly quick procedure with little downtime. Since they’re mild, a superficial chemical peel can become part of your regular skincare regime, helping to reduce very fine lines and wrinkles.
A medium peel affects the top and middle layers of your skin. It’s a little more abrasive, so the downtime is longer, but the effects last between 6 – 12 months. A medium depth peel is good for slightly deeper forehead wrinkles and will help to combat uneven skin tone and sun damage.
Thread lift
The thread lift is a relatively new procedure that allows for subtle and natural ‘restructuring’ of your skin. Tiny, absorbable sutures are threaded across your forehead, adding what some call scaffolding for your skin to rest on. The threads provide a firm foundation for your skin, leaving your face looking smooth and more youthful.
As a bonus, the thread lift actually boosts your body’s own collagen production as the sutures dissolve, so the results are naturally prolonged.
What’s The Best Forehead Wrinkle Treatment For Me?
The ideal treatment for your forehead wrinkles can’t be decided by outcome alone, at Elite Aesthetics, we take account of your lifestyle, your preferences and how your wrinkles present. We can then make a recommendation that will leave you with an end result that you’ll love seeing.
The first step is to book a consultation to talk through your options. Here, one of our highly experienced team members will conduct a detailed skin analysis and find out more about your skin goals. Our appointments are held at our award-winning clinic in Greenhithe, Kent. We’re easy to get to; you’ll find us just 10 minutes from Dartford and Gravesend stations, 15 minutes from Maidstone and 20 minutes from London.