Forehead wrinkles and how to get rid of them

Wrinkles on the forehead are a natural feature everyone possesses as we age. They develop over time and the more we use facial expressions like frowning, squinting or raising eyebrows.

However, as we get older they become more prominent even when not using these expressions due to natural skin ageing. Here we will discuss what causes more pronounced forehead wrinkles and how to reduce their visibility.

There are a multitude of factors that can contribute to the development of deeper and more prominent forehead wrinkles. Sadly, not all of them remain in our control, However, some causes can be avoided and others can be treated to reduce prominence.

• Age: As we get older our skin loses its elasticity in a process called elastosis, caused by degeneration of the upper layer of skin tissue. The production of collagen also decreases with age. This is a protein that helps with the strength and structure of the skin and keeps it tight, preventing it from sagging and forming wrinkles. 
• Sun damage: Sunburn in any case is bad for your skin, suffering from it once will result in red skin that is hot and painful to touch. However, sun damage over many years can cause the skin to develop age spots and become wrinkly causing you to age prematurely, this is also known as photoageing.
• Smoking: Smoking cigarettes causes blood vessels to constrict which reduces blood flow to the skin. This causes the skin to become stressed, dry out and slow down the production of collagen and elastin. 
• Drinking excessive alcohol: Frequently consuming large quantities of alcohol harms the skin, similar to smoking. Drinking increases the production of cortisol, the hormone related to an increase in stress, and dehydrates your skin, both of which decrease the production of collagen.

There are a number of factors that can lead to wrinkles, you can learn even more about the internal and external causes here.

Frown lines are also something that become more prominent as we age, and similarly to the cause of forehead wrinkles, there are several factors that contribute to their development:

• Overactive, repeated facial expressions: Consistently using expressions like frowning, squinting or furrowing your eyebrows will increase the likelihood of developing forehead wrinkles, particularly as the skin loses elasticity with age.
• Stress: Feeling constantly stressed is not only bad for your mental health, but your physical appearance as well. Stress can cause facial tension and lead to repeated facial expressions like frowning, which can cause permanent frown lines as you age.

Yes, it is perfectly normal to have wrinkles on your forehead from usually around the age of 30 onwards. This is around the age that your skin can start to lose its elasticity.

Unfortunately, there is no way to completely eradicate forehead wrinkles naturally, but there are many skincare treatments and methods that can significantly reduce their visibility.

Overexposure to UV rays over time can make the skin drier and looser. Applying sunscreen every day, no matter the weather will help preserve your skin’s youthful, wrinkle-free appearance. This will also help ensure that collagen supplies are not negatively affected and also help prevent the development of skin cancer.

This is a complex carbohydrate molecule that, alongside collagen and elastin, is a connective tissue that surrounds skin cells to provide moisture to the skin. It is another molecule that degenerates as we get older and can lead to visible signs of skin ageing, such as wrinkles and loss of elasticity.

You can learn more here about the benefits of hyaluronic acid and how to correctly use it here.

Retinol is a variation of vitamin A, albeit, a more potent one. Once applied it penetrates the epidermis (outer layer of skin) and goes into the next layer, the dermis). Once there it removes free radicals (unstable atoms that damage skin cells) and promotes a boost in the production of collagen and elastin which helps to ‘plump’ the skin, removing the prominence of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol works best when used after cleanser and before moisturiser.

There are plenty of ingredients found in Eucerin products that can help stimulate cell growth, moisturise, cleanse and more to help reduce the prominence of wrinkles. 

• Arctiin is an active natural ingredient that is extracted from the fruit of the Burdock plant. It stimulates the repair of weakened connective tissue in the cell walls.
• Argan Oil is extracted from the kernels of the Argan tree. It contains high levels of fatty acids which the body uses to produce and repair cell membranes and strengthen the skin.
• Dexpanthenol improves hydration in the outer layers of the skin and helps reduce transepidermal water loss to keep the skin soft and elastic.

You can learn more about ingredients to help prevent fine lines and wrinkles here.

Lifestyle choices can also have a significant impact on the health and appearance of your skin. There are actions you can take which will help keep your skin healthy and halt the early development of forehead wrinkles. Combining these with a good skin routine should help keep your skin looking youthful and wrinkle-free.

• Eat a balanced diet: Eating foods rich in antioxidants such as fruit and veg as well as vitamins A, C and E may help prevent the development of forehead wrinkles. This is because they help to remove free radicals which helps the skin to repair itself.
• Reduce stress: Consistent stress leads to wrinkling your brow, which, in time, leads to forehead wrinkles. De-stressing is easier said than done, but ensuring you get enough sleep, meditation, yoga, talking to a therapist, and exercising daily are all proven to help reduce stress.
• Drink plenty of water: Ensuring you drink enough water will keep you hydrated inside and out. It will help prevent skin from drying out and may help diminish the prominence of forehead wrinkles.
• Try facial yoga: Facial yoga has been proven to help the skin appear more youthful and toned by correcting sagging. However, as facial yoga essentially works to restore facial muscles lost with age, the regime has to be committed to. Daily facial workouts will help reduce the appearance and prominence of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as promoting breathing exercises.