From Cosmopolitan · Beth Gillette · · 2m
Forehead Wrinkles: Dermatologists' Guide to Smoothing
Dermatologists reveal how to smooth forehead wrinkles with Botox, retinol, and lasers.
In brief
Dermatologists reveal how to smooth forehead wrinkles with Botox, retinol, and lasers. Forehead wrinkles can be softened with Botox, retinol, and professional treatments like lasers, but early intervention yields best results. Originally reported by Cosmopolitan.
Quick answers
- What causes forehead wrinkles?
- Forehead wrinkles form from repetitive facial movements and collagen loss starting in the mid-to-late 20s.
- Are forehead wrinkles reversible?
- Newer fine lines are easier to reverse than deeper wrinkles, but complete removal is not possible for very deep lines.
- Which skincare ingredients help smooth forehead wrinkles?
- Retinol, peptides, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and daily SPF are the best ingredients for smoothing forehead wrinkles and preventing further aging damage.
- How does Botox get rid of forehead wrinkles?
- Botox temporarily blocks nerve signals to facial muscles, preventing contractions that cause forehead wrinkles.
- What other procedures can get rid of forehead wrinkles?
- Chemical peels, lasers, and RF microneedling treatments can help smooth forehead wrinkles by stimulating collagen production.
What causes forehead wrinkles?
Forehead wrinkles form from repetitive facial movements and collagen loss starting in the mid-to-late 20s.
“Forehead wrinkles are nearly unavoidable and a natural part of aging.”
Are forehead wrinkles reversible?
Newer fine lines are easier to reverse than deeper wrinkles, but complete removal is not possible for very deep lines.
“To a degree, yes. Committing to a good at-home skincare routine and the occasional in-office derm treatment can help reverse forehead wrinkles.”
Which skincare ingredients help smooth forehead wrinkles?
Retinol, peptides, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and daily SPF are the best ingredients for smoothing forehead wrinkles and preventing further aging damage.
“Retinol is a long game, though, which means you need to use it consistently for at least three months before you’ll see a result.”
How does Botox get rid of forehead wrinkles?
Botox temporarily blocks nerve signals to facial muscles, preventing contractions that cause forehead wrinkles.
“It’s an excellent treatment for the prevention of wrinkles and it can help soften existing ones too.”
What other procedures can get rid of forehead wrinkles?
Chemical peels, lasers, and RF microneedling treatments can help smooth forehead wrinkles by stimulating collagen production.
“RF microneedling treatments combine radiofrequency and microneedling technologies to help get rid of forehead wrinkles.”
Final verdict
A combined approach using Botox, retinol, and professional treatments yields the best results for smoothing forehead wrinkles.
“When it comes to getting rid of forehead wrinkles, taking a combined approach is best.”
Meet the experts
Dermatologist David Shafer, MD, and aesthetician Joshua Ross are the experts consulted for this guide.
“Dermatologist David Shafer, MD, and aesthetician Joshua Ross both agree that retinoids and retinol are some of the best ingredients.”
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Cosmopolitan's beauty editors have eight years of experience researching and testing skincare products.
“Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan and has more than a decade of experience in the beauty industry.”
Key products for forehead wrinkles
Retinol serums, glycolic acid toners, and hyaluronic acid serums help smooth forehead wrinkles over time.
“Retinol can also be potentially irritating, says Ross, who encourages patients with sensitive skin to use a teeny tiny amount of retinol sandwiched between two thin layers of moisturizer.”
Botox benefits
Botox injections prevent forehead wrinkles and require no downtime, with results appearing within a week.
“My face still has some movement (aka I don’t look like a frozen housewife), but I have zero horizontal lines or wrinkles on my forehead.”
Laser treatments for wrinkles
Ablative or semi-ablative lasers like CO2, Fraxel, and Clear and Brilliant help smooth forehead wrinkles by stimulating collagen.
“These lasers 'wound' the skin to create a resurfacing effect and also stimulate collagen production to smooth lines.”
RF microneedling
RF microneedling treatments like Morpheus8 and Vivace combine radiofrequency and microneedling to boost collagen production.
“RF microneedling devices are considered 'color-blind,' making them a safer choice for deeper skin tones.”
Sunscreen importance
Daily sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher prevents UV damage that accelerates forehead wrinkles.
“Make it a habit to apply a nickel-sized blob of sunscreen with SPF 30 or more every morning (yep, even when it’s cloudy).”
When to start treatment?
Early intervention with skincare and treatments yields better results than waiting until wrinkles are deep.
“If your forehead lines are super deep, you’re only going to be able to soften them, not get rid of them completely.”
Final advice
Combining Botox, retinol, and professional treatments gives the best results for smooth forehead skin.
“It’s best to treat them early on (and not until they’ve been etched into your skin for years) if you want the best skin-smoothing result.”
The one thing
Forehead wrinkles can be softened with Botox, retinol, and professional treatments like lasers, but early intervention yields best results.
