How to Get Rid of Forehead Wrinkles Without Surgery

Forehead wrinkles are often one of the first signs of aging we notice when we look in the mirror. While topical solutions can reduce their appearance, the best way to treat these horizontal lines is with proven procedures from an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon. By understanding why forehead wrinkles occur, you can determine the best treatment option for your specific needs and goals.

As a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, I work with an expert team to address all of our patients’ aging concerns. Heather Bryant, MPAS, PA-C, Amanda Piligian, PA-C, Courtney Whitley, FNP-C, and Terri Edson, Medical Aesthetician, all work together to customize non-surgical treatments for our patients and help them realize the best version of themselves through every season of life. 

Causes of Forehead Wrinkles

While there are no definitive causes of forehead wrinkles, there are several factors that can contribute to them. Limiting some of these factors from your life may help prevent or minimize the appearance of forehead wrinkles.

Aging

So many things happen to your skin as you age. Collagen and elastin levels diminish, causing your skin to lose its natural elasticity and become thinner. As these vital proteins deplete, you may also see fine lines and wrinkles start to form. The natural production of oil also declines, giving your skin a rough, dry texture and making it more prone to creases.

Excessive sun exposure

Ultraviolet rays from the sun damage the collagen and elastin fibers in the dermal structure and contribute to fine lines and uneven skin texture – known as photoaging. Collagen and elastin fibers contribute to smooth, tight, and youthful skin, so their depletion tends to reverse this process. When your skin is constantly exposed to the sun, age spots, dark circles, and sunspots can also appear as the exposure can trigger excessive melanin production.

Smoking

Heavy smokers may notice wrinkle formation even sooner than non-smokers. Smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict, reducing the nutrients and oxygen that typically keep skin looking healthy and vibrant. Smoking also makes your skin more vulnerable to damage by free radicals because it reduces the body’s ability to produce new skin cells. Finally, smoking accelerates cellular damage, making your skin age faster as well.

Stress

When the body is under stress, it releases the hormone cortisol, which breaks down collagen and elastin fibers. Like other factors that impact elastin and collagen stability, too much of this stress hormone can lead to thinning skin and the formation of lines and wrinkles.

Excessive movement of facial muscles

Excessively using your facial muscles can cause wrinkles, especially forehead wrinkles. Constantly moving your eyebrows, squinting your eyes, or pursing your lips can cause your skin to fold and wrinkle. These grooves in the skin may only be visible when you make those expressions at first, but can become permanently etched in the skin as you age.

Alcohol consumption

By constricting your blood vessels, alcohol dehydrates your skin. It also causes your skin to look and feel dry. Additionally, alcohol decreases the amount of oxygen that gets to the skin. In general, the toxins in alcohol damage the skin’s cells and may lead to wrinkle formation over time.

Genetics

Genetics is unfortunately one potential cause of forehead wrinkles that we cannot control. If you notice wrinkles forming early on a parent or other close relative, you may see the same develop on your own face. It can be difficult to prevent wrinkles caused by genetics, but the good news is these lines can be effectively treated. 

Neuromodulators

The most common treatment for wrinkles that form on the forehead is a neuromodulator like Botox® Cosmetic or Dysport®. These injectable treatments work on dynamic wrinkles, which are those lines that form as a result of repeated facial expressions.

Forehead wrinkles fall into the dynamic wrinkle category. The active ingredient in neuromodulators relaxes the facial muscles that lead to the formation of these wrinkles, smoothing away the forehead lines in the process. 

Neuromodulator treatments are quick and relatively comfortable. Patients will see results develop in the week or two following their procedures. Results continue for 3-4 months for most patients and can be extended indefinitely with a regular treatment schedule. 

Facial Lasers & Devices

Facial lasers and devices work at a cellular level to address some types of facial wrinkles, including forehead wrinkles for some patients. At our Charlotte plastic surgery clinic, they can be performed as a stand-alone treatment or combined with a neuromodulator for the most dramatic effects.

Profound RF

 A non-surgical procedure, Profound RF combines microneedling with radiofrequency heating to tighten the skin and decrease wrinkles. The Profound RF procedure is dramatically less invasive than a facelift and rejuvenates the complexion while reducing the appearance of facial lines.

Cutera Titan laser

FDA-approved Cutera Titan™ is a non-invasive skin tightening and lifting device that uses infrared light energy to deeply heat the deeper dermal layers to constrict tissue and stimulate collagen production. Cutera Titan is used to tighten loose skin and reverse the signs of aging, such as forehead wrinkles. 

Cool Peel

The Cool Peel produces the same effects as traditional CO2 laser resurfacing, but without the side effects or downtime. Instead, patients see results develop over a series of non-invasive treatment sessions.

Subnovii Plasma Pen

The Subnovii Plasma Pen uses voltage to produce a plasma charge without touching your skin. This plasma energy lightly brushes the surface of the skin and stimulates the body’s natural healing process. This process allows for the production of collagen and elastin, creating more supple skin. 

VirtueRF

Operating with robotic precision, VirtueRF uses 36 gold-coated needles to create microscopic channels in the dermal tissue. The device delivers RF energy into those channels to stimulate the body’s natural regenerative process. Through the body’s healing response, collagen, elastin, and other structural proteins are produced. The result is smoother, firmer skin.

Ultimate Duo

The Ultimate Duo combines the CoolPeel laser and Virtue RF microneedling to provide superior results. This treatment effectively addresses facial wrinkles, as well as brown spots, shallow scarring, and mild skin laxity. 

Our Plastic Surgery Clinic can Help You Get Rid of Forehead Wrinkles Without Surgery

Do you want to see fewer forehead wrinkles and a more youthful appearance? Contact our Charlotte plastic surgery clinic to learn more about the wrinkle treatments we offer.

Learn how we ensure a comfortable positive experience for all of our patients, no matter which treatment they choose here.