7 ways to get rid of and prevent forehead wrinkles, according to dermatologists

• Forehead wrinkles are a normal part of aging and are due to the loss of collagen.
• To get rid of forehead wrinkles, try retinol, moisturizing, and botox injections.
• To prevent future forehead wrinkles, wear sunscreen daily, stop smoking, and manage stress levels.

Forehead wrinkles and fine lines are a normal and unavoidable part of aging.

"As we age, we lose collagen, and this can also contribute to fine lines and wrinkles becoming more apparent," says Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.

Medical term: Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that keeps the skin firm. Although aging reduces collagen production in the body, environmental factors like sun exposure and cigarette smoke can also damage collagen fibers in the body, which accelerates the aging process and causes wrinkles to develop.

While forehead wrinkles shouldn't be something you're ashamed of, if you want to reduce their appearance, there are plenty of ways to do so.

1. Wear sunscreen daily

When you go outside the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun wreaks havoc on your skin - accelerating collagen damage and amplifying signs of aging.

"Studies have consistently shown the benefits of sunscreen use in decreasing not only [the risk of] skin cancers, but also skin aging. Sunscreen should be applied every day, regardless of season, and should be reapplied every 2 hours throughout the day when outside," says Sara Perkins, MD, a dermatologist at Yale Medicine and assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), you should choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher to have significant protection against the sun's harmful rays. It's best to use a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide of 9% or higher

2. Stop smoking

Nicotine - one of more than 4000 chemicals in cigarettes - reduces oxygen flow and nutrients to skin cells, which speeds up skin aging and causes premature wrinkles.

According to a small 2019 study involving smokers and non-smokers, smoking also makes the skin less elastic, particularly on the forehead. This loss of skin elasticity causes sagging.

"Smoking can lead to collagen breakdown, making forehead lines and wrinkles, in general, more likely to appear," says Garshick.

The longer you smoke, the more you increase the risk of premature skin aging. However, you can still prevent wrinkles to some extent when you quit smoking.

3. Manage stress

Chronic stress may cause wrinkles because the primary stress hormone, cortisol, can decrease collagen production.

Related Article Module: 15 simple and effective ways to relieve stress

In addition, repeatedly making facial expressions associated with stress, like furrowing your brows, causes wrinkles to deepen, says Garshick.

There is no medical procedure to prevent stress-induced skin aging, but getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly can help you manage stress and prevent exacerbating skin aging.

4. Use moisturizers

Aging skin is not as good at retaining moisture. As a result, the skin becomes dehydrated which causes fine lines and wrinkles to become more noticeable.

You can battle wrinkles from skin dehydration by regularly using moisturizer, especially products with active ingredients that hydrate and soften the skin such as emollients and humectants, says Perkins.

Moisturizers or serums containing a humectant called hyaluronic acid can draw water to the skin and create a plumping effect.

Quick tip: It's best to apply moisturizers while your face is still damp - like after a face wash or shower - so the product can trap water in the skin.

5. Try facial treatments

You may be able to reduce the appearance of wrinkles with in-office procedures like:

• Laser resurfacing, where a laser removes the outer layer of the skin and heats the underlying layer to stimulate collagen growth. This procedure is proven to be effective in treating fine wrinkles.
• Microdermabrasion, a minimally invasive procedure that reduces the appearance of wrinkles by spraying abrasive crystals on the face and removing a fine layer of skin.
• Microneedling, where a dermatologist uses thin, sterile needles to puncture the skin and create wounds, effectively boosting collagen production. A 2018 study found that four micro-needling treatments administered one month apart improve fine lines and wrinkles in people aged 35 to 75 with signs of facial aging.

To protect your health and get the intended results, make sure that you are being treated by board-certified dermatologists.

6. Get a Botox injection

Botox injections can effectively improve the appearance of wrinkles.

Small muscle contractions from facial expressions cause creases in the skin, which develop into wrinkles over time. Botox reduces wrinkles "by relaxing the muscle movement that leads to the [facial] expression, thereby preventing the lines from forming or becoming deeper," says Garshick.

The cost varies depending on the areas of concern and the amount of product used, but it generally falls around $400 to $500 per treatment. Its effects aren't permanent and may wear off after about three to six months.

7. Apply anti-wrinkle creams

Over-the-counter anti-wrinkle creams may be effective at reducing wrinkles, depending on their active ingredients and how long you use them. The best wrinkle-fighting ingredients to look for in skincare products are:

• Retinol: "The most potent wrinkle-fighting ingredient available is retinol. It promotes skin cell turnover and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which in turn reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles," says Perkins. A 2007 study involving 36 elderly participants found that applying topical retinol can improve fine wrinkles caused by natural aging.

• Antioxidants: "Antioxidants such as vitamin C, which help to protect against free radical damage, can also help to boost collagen," says Garshick. Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B-3, improves skin elasticity and moisture retention as well. Products with tea or grape seed extracts generally contain compounds with antioxidants.

However, the benefits of OTC anti-wrinkle creams are generally minimal and short-lived because they are cosmetic products that don't undergo rigorous testing for effectiveness. It's best to combine the use of anti-wrinkle creams with other practices that improve the appearance of wrinkles.

Insider's takeaway

Forehead wrinkles are caused by many factors such as aging, sun exposure, and stress levels.

You can prevent wrinkles or make them less noticeable by applying topical products, managing stress, quitting smoking, or trying various facial treatments.

"Vigilant use of sunscreen and hats, regular use of moisturizers, and incorporation of a topical retinol or retinoid are great ways to prevent forehead wrinkles," says Perkins.

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