Advice for forehead wrinkles

[LienaCold]

Hi! I’ve started noticing some wrinkles on my forehead. Could you recommend any products or tips to help prevent or reduce them?

[MaryEngland]

Before going out and getting botox my mum got me onto this: peptide roll-on

I just roll over the lines and I see a difference, it's not gimicky, it's science. it says 10 years younger or refund.

+ it had a guarantee that said something like even if you use it up you can still return it so anyway I've kept mine and I see the lines fading. crazy crazy crazy so I'm putting botox off for now.

collagencollective.com

[CorgiMommy]

Everyone has given you great advice.  Bangs do a great job on hiding wrinkles. @LienaCold 

[danielledanielle]

@CorgiMommy 😂, true

[WinglessOne]

Hi @LienaCold ! A few things quickly spring to mind. 

Reduce existing wrinkles: 

• Boost collagen production - as we age, our bodies create less collagen and our skin starts losing that bouncy firmness, among other things. I don’t recommend taking collagen supplements: they’re not regulated as drugs in the US, so brands don’t need to prove scientific efficacy. 😒
  
  Instead, consider using a retinoid (vitamin A) if you’re not pregnant or trying to conceive. The retinoid family includes retinoic acid (aka tretinoin, which is prescription-only), retinaldehyde (aka retinal), retinol, “granactive retinoid” (hydroxypinacolone retinoate, aka HPR), and a few others.
  
  Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can also boost collagen, and it works well alongside retinoids. A few other ingredients can too; these are just the effective ones that come to mind.
  
  
• Increase hydration - this’ll plump that skin up a bit, which can reduce the appearance of lines. Many skincare products contain hydrators and humectants like hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, urea, carrageenan, trehalose, glycerin, honey, aloe vera, various peptides, and many seaweed/algae and sugar derived humectants. You could try a hydrating serum; my personal favorite is The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity.
  
  Lactic acid can also hydrate skin, plus there’s a study showing it can reduce the look of wrinkles with consistent use (1-3 times a week; any more than that can wreck your skin barrier).
  
  Whatever you use, make sure to also use a good moisturizer to help seal in hydration. If you use a lactic acid exfoliant, definitely also use sunscreen; lactic acid’s an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. 
  
  
• See a board-certified dermatologist - this is your best bet for personalized treatment options. A derm can offer in-office procedures, prescribe things like tretinoin, or recommend over-the-counter products.

Prevent future wrinkles: 

• Broad spectrum sunscreen (at least SPF 30) - UV rays can cause and worsen wrinkles, among other “signs of aging” and more serious issues (skin cancer). If you don’t already use a sunscreen, it’s never too late to start. Don’t rely on SPF in makeup; always wear a separate true sunscreen under that. 
  
  
• Botox - most folks think of this as something to reverse wrinkles, and it can do that. But dermatologists call it preventative: by reducing muscle movement in your forehead, botox prevents new wrinkles that would naturally form after repeated muscle movement. It’s pricey and not permanent; you gotta keep getting injections. You also need to like the “frozen forehead” look on yourself. But it’s a good option to consider. 

Also, I feel obligated to say there’s really nothing wrong with a few forehead lines. I don’t mean to invalidate your concern here. I’m just sayin’, we tend to be very self-conscious of things that go unnoticed by folks who look at us on a daily basis. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to treat your wrinkles if you want, of course. 

[LienaCold]

Wow, thank you so much for such a detailed reply! 💕 This is incredibly helpful. I didn’t realize there were so many effective ingredients for collagen and hydration. I’m especially interested in trying a gentle retinol and maybe The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum you mentioned — sounds like a good starting point for me. And yes, I already wear sunscreen daily, so I feel good about that step!

[danielledanielle]

@WinglessOne @itsfi .. @LienaCold , it's definitely multifactorial.  I agree with all that's there, giving some additional detail

Consistent balance intake/habits 

A collagen supplement isn't regulated well, but it can be helpful for skin integrity in a sense, but in conjunction with diet.  Vitamin C is an important step in producing it, so eating a soup with collagenous broth and lemon juice added a few times a week would be helpful towards this

Hydration everything 

Use sunscreen, and lock that moisturizer in with it

Eat your fruits and vegetables, they are hydrating too

Wear a hat.

This is also apart of sun protection. 

See a doctor

If there's anything extra going on, sometimes it's good to get that medical perspective before you go deep into the skincare wellness rabbit hole.  I don't ask my GP skin questions often but I recently had an issue and we ruled out some things, so it helps every now and then

[WinglessOne]

@danielledanielle  Good added details. 👍 In fact, @LienaCold, what I should’ve originally said about supplements is “I don’t recommend taking them without your doctor’s input.” A lotta people take supplements their bodies don’t actually need, and some of those supplements are ineffective anyway. Some folks have legit medically-diagnosed nutritional deficiencies, and need specific supplements. But when it comes to cosmetic skin improvement, I’ll be overly cautious and say “consult a nutritionist.” Actually, with my ongoing medical issues, I’d run any supplement by my PCP and/or a dietician before buying it.

And YES, always pair sunscreen with some other form(s) of sun protection: hat/visor, sunglasses, UV protective clothing if possible (these clothes will have a UPF rating, while sunscreens have an SPF rating), a UPF-rated umbrella for rainy days (or clear days, if you want), and spend some time in the shade. 

[itsfi]

@LienaCold, there are a few factors that can cause forehead wrinkles, including but not limited to genetics, age, stress, hydration, diet, sleep, skin physiology, facial expression habits, diet, lifestyle choices, environment, etc. and the best recommendation will take those into consideration.

Having said that, there are products, treatments and procedures that may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and, in some instances, get rid of them altogether, including, but not limited to:

• anti-aging creams or serums (including retinol serums or products containing peptides, argireline, etc.)
• chemical peels / AHA
• fillers
• lasers
• Botox

A few years ago, I noticed some lines starting to form in the area between my eyes/eyebrows, which I suspect was, in some part, due to stress. I had a bakuchiol serum on hand at the time (my skin is highly sensitive to retinol so bakuchiol is a good alternative for me) and decided to focus some application of it on that area for a period of time to see if it would do anything. I was very surprised (and happily so) that it did make those lines go away.

If you're just starting to notice a few wrinkles on your forehead, there may be some over the counter products, like creams and serums that could be helpful. I'd recommend seeing a dermatologist as they can work with you to determine what would be best for you.

[LienaCold]

Thanks so much for this thoughtful answer 🙏 I can definitely relate to stress showing up on my skin — I feel like that’s when I notice my forehead lines the most too. It’s really helpful to hear that bakuchiol worked for you; I’ve been curious about it. I’ll definitely consider that, along with maybe consulting a dermatologist for extra guidance.

[SportyGirly125]

@LienaCold @Have you looked into Botox or laser therapy?

[LienaCold]

Botox and lasers sound a little intense for me right now 😅 I’m leaning more towards starting with topicals, but maybe one day! Have you tried either?

[SportyGirly125]

@LienaCold @I’m in my 40s and haven’t tried either but also my skin doesn’t need it at the moment.