3 Big Reasons Why Wrinkles on Forehead – And How to Treat Them

Maybe you first saw yours when makeup settled in them, making them impossible to ignore. Maybe someone helpfully (ahem) pointed them out to you. No matter how they popped up on your radar, forehead wrinkles are a frustrating inevitability. While there are a few things you can do to help prevent premature development of forehead wrinkles – such as wearing SPF every single day, and not smoking – these wrinkles can get so deep that they become impossible to ignore. Today, with expert insight, we’re breaking down the common reasons why forehead wrinkles develop in the first place, then filling you in on your options to help temporarily smooth them out.

Sun Exposure and Free Radicals

Few things are as enjoyable as a day spent relaxing in the sunshine, but sun damage is the biggest cause of premature wrinkling and can exacerbate existing wrinkles even further. “Sun exposure causes free radical damage in the skin, which damages the elastin and collagen fibers, which are what gives the skin its strength and elasticity,” says Marnie Nussbaum, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “Once these fibers are damaged, the skin starts to wrinkle, especially as we age.”

Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 every single day is very important, as is sticking to shade and wearing hats whenever possible. For your face alone, you should be slathering on a plump, raspberry-sized amount of sunscreen for adequate protection. It’s also necessary to reapply every two hours when outside or every four hours when indoors. For easy re-application over makeup, try a mist like Supergoop!® Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50.

Aging and Genetics

“Our production of collagen and elastin fibers [start to] dramatically decline by age 30 – essentially decreasing by one percent each year — and, therefore, accelerates any fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Nussbaum. Wrinkling speeds up when you factor in certain lifestyle choices, such as excessive sun exposure (as previously mentioned), a lackluster skincare regimen, and smoking. She adds, “Individuals who have very expressive faces are also more at risk for deeper lines due to the constant motion of the dynamic muscles in this area.” (While it is a challenge to control your facial expressions, some people successfully do so to stave off wrinkles.)

On that note, you might have noticed that some people have more – or deeper-set – forehead wrinkles compared to others. This is often a matter of genetics, though lifestyle does factor in. “Forehead musculature can come in varying sizes and shapes,” Dr. Nussbaum explains. For example, the frontalis muscle – which is the main muscle in the forehead that allows for vertical motion, or up and down expression – may be one piece, two pieces, rectangular shaped, or v-shaped.”

So, when different people make the same facial expression, different wrinkles may be formed depending on the muscle, which varies due to genetics. “Strong muscles tend to produce deeper lines,” she adds. Genetics also comes into play regarding how predisposed we are to losing collagen, bone density, and muscles.

Dehydrated and Neglected Skin

Though sunscreen is the most important product you can apply to your skin to stave off forehead wrinkles, maintaining a robust skincare regimen is also key. One of the best moves you can make is routinely moisturizing, which helps to plump the look of fine lines and make them appear diminished.

Hydrating formulas that contain hyaluronic acid are particularly beneficial: the best formulations draw in and hold 1,000 times their weight in water to help smooth out the appearance of forehead wrinkles. You should also seek out moisturizers that contain ceramides, which help plump and seal in moisture.

Mildly exfoliating your skin two to three times a week with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic and lactic acid, is also beneficial. This helps your skin shed the most superficial layer of skin (including dead cells) to reveal fresh skin underneath. “This results in a brighter and firmer complexion,” Dr. Nussbaum explains. “They also have been proven to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which support the cellular matrix and create a firmer visage.” We’re particularly fond of the Dr. Dennis Gross^® Skincare Alpha Beta^® Universal Daily Peel, which contains a cocktail of AHAs, including glycolic, lactic, citric, and malic acids to gently resurface the skin.

Daily use of antioxidants, such as vitamin C and E, is also important in the prevention of free radical damage. They’ve also been proven to increase the effectiveness of SPF when paired with it, so layer accordingly, or try a formula that’s loaded with both vitamin C and E and sunscreen, like Murad^® City Skin^® Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++.

Last, but not least, you can opt to incorporate a topical retinoid into your regimen. This powerhouse ingredient can help prevent premature forehead wrinkles and reduce their appearance. Consider this treatment more of a “slow burn” and supplemental approach to treating forehead wrinkles. “Retinoids increase skin cell turnover, thereby boosting cellular renewal and sloughing the dead skin cells away,” Dr. Nussbaum says. “Retinoids have also been proven to increase collagen production and therefore increase elasticity.” She adds that you need to stick to using it religiously for three months in order to see visible results. You can find retinol at your local drugstore, or you ask your dermatologist about a prescription for retinoic acid.

[Retinol shouldn’t be used by those who are pregnant, considering getting pregnant, or nursing. Please consult with your doctor before use.]