Deep Forehead Lines

[Llamamama2]

When I was 16 years old, I made the mistake of lying out in the Florida sun in baby oil (yes, baby oil). This was back in the late 80’s, before sunscreen was as popular/utilized the way it is now. The end result of this little experiment was second degree burns all over my body, including my face. To this day, I still have sun damage on my forehead, which is in the form of deep lines that I feel age me beyond my 45 years. Even my 74 years old mother doesn’t have lines/wrinkles on her forehead like me! Since I would like to avoid Botox and plastic surgery at all costs, I keep hoping I will find a holy grail product that will at least diminish or minimize the lines to some degree. To let you know what I am currently using, it includes Tretinoin (for acne, but it is also anti-aging), Finacea foam (Azelaic acid - also for acne and hyperpigmentation but has other benefits as well), niacinamide, a Vitamin C serum, The Ordinary’s Buffet plus copper which is multiple polypeptides, I just bought TO’s glycolic acid (which I can’t use all the time because of the aforementioned Tretinoin but plan to use a few days a week), rose hip oil or Argan oil, and I do use masks and exfoliate. I can’t use lactic acid because I had a bad reaction to it. Basically, I use every anti-aging product that I can think of! Does anyone have any other suggestions? I only started many of these products within the past month or so, so maybe I should just give it time? Are there treatments/peels at the derms office that are worth seeking out? Unlike my baby oil incident, I wear spf religiously now. All advice is appreciated!

[Sicase]

To be honest, I feel like you are using all the right products currently. The tretinoin especially will be a powerful ingredient in your fight against these lines. You say you have used them for about a month? In that case, you definitely do need to give it more time. I'd suggest to possibly add Drunk Elephant's Protini to your routine both AM/PM as it's chockfull of signal peptides, growth factors and supportive amino acids. You may also want to check out Drunk Elephant's TLC Framboos for acids. I know it contains lactic acid but it's a very well formulated product so you may be able to tolerate it. I personally cannot use TO's Glycolic Acid on my skin as it sensitizes it like crazy for me. The DE one I CAN use even though it has a higher concentration of acids. In general though, the deeper the line/wrinkle the more difficult it'll be to fix with a skincare product. A lot of products claim they do a lot more than what we can reasonably expect from them. 

[KrishAtl]

@Llamamama2, I have had incredible luck with Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum on the Sun damage and spotting on my cheeks and temples. South Floridian here! Despite being on Indian descent and having a natural medium-tan skin tone, I too hung out at the beach as a teenager to get the “Deep tan” all my friend’s coveted!! Only it wasn’t baby oil for me...Bain D’ Soliel!! All over my face!! I wanted to be as brown as the woman in the commercial...only thing was that I naturally was!!! Lol. Anyway, I also second the others on the recommendation of some great hydrating masks. I currently try to use a moisture rich or a firming Sheet Mask as part of my evening routine, daily. I found a great bundle of 16 Dermal Sheet Masks on Amazon for $10. Great Korean Sheet masks that have done wonders for my skins hydration and fine lines. I have lines across my forehead and my mother’s lovely 11 lines between my brows that she lovingly passed on to me, and not my brothers!

[Llamamama2]

Hi @KrishAlt. Thanks for the recommendations! I know you are as into the sheet masks as I am from the masking thread! And the Bain D’Soleil is too funny. Did you use the orange gelee too? That was my favorite.

[KrishAtl]

Always orange gelee @Llamamama2! I rocked the orange face looong before POTUS!!!

[Llamamama2]

Lol @KrishAtl 😄!

[darlyndar]

@Llamamama2 I would have suggested Good Genes as well but if Lactic Acids give you a reaction, theN it wouldn’t go well. But, it’s not straight Lactic Acid. There are other ingredients that counteract drying and over-sensitizing. I would recommend to grab a sample and patch test. If you can use it, it would be your one Holy Grail product. I also highly recommend using a hydrating essence. I’m 37 and did the same thing in my 20s. I lived across the street from the ocean and NEVER wore sunscreen. Luna, Good Genes and a lot of Korean Skincare have saved my face. Essences are amazing. You can layer as many times as you want. It will plump up and hydrate your skin and those fine lines will be less and less noticeable.

[Llamamama2]

Hi @darlyndar. I have to thank you because your Korean skincare thread has helped to completely change my skin! After reading it, I purchased a bunch of k-beauty products, including an essence, and started doing the 7-skin method. My skin looks so much better and it’s only been a month. As far as Good Genes, I did use it and initially loved it, but then had a very bad reaction to it and it actually made my skin worse. I loved Luna but stopped using it once I went on a prescription retinoid. It’s a great product though. Hopefully the k-beauty products along with the other products I am using and some new recommendations will help. I think it’s just a matter of time and patience.

[darlyndar]

@Llamamama2 That is so awesome to hear! K Beauty has definitely changed my skin as well. I’m sad to hear about your good Genes and Luna experience, though. They are still such a staple in my routine. In regards to K beauty, the Neogen Detox pads are amazing. They have two sides to their cotton round “glove”. One side to help exfoliate and the other to smooth the skin. It’s great for an every other day exfoliation, brightening and tightening. I highly recommend those. 

[RachFace2921]

I've seen photos you've posted, and don't sell yourself short @Llamamama2, you def don't have a horrendous creasy forehead, LOL!  It is too bad you can't use lactic acid though, because my first suggestion was going to be Sunday Riley Good Genes.  I don't have sun damage, but have a "very expressive" forehead, and the lines never go away, no matter how much my face relaxes.  I've just come to accept that it gives me character!

I have used Algenist Liquid Collagen for some time, and really like the results.  It is expensive though, so if you're able to go to Sephora and ask them to make you a little sample pot, I'd do that before dropping the $$$$ to buy the bottle.  I felt it improved my skin after about a week of use.  There is also a Planscription Anti-Aging Power Serum from Origins that is supposed to help deeper lines; I think they specifically show before/after on a forehead in their advertisement.  I've tried the serum and like it, but didn't keep using it long enough that I can attest to the results (I use SR and Algenist, and wasn't looking to replace them).  It's pretty easy to get DSs from Origins to try it out.  They have promos all the time if you buy direct.

[Llamamama2]

Thanks, @RachFace2921. The Good Genes actually did some bad damage to the sides of my face. It actually made my hyperpigmentation worse for some reason. The only thing I can think of would be the lactic acid. I will definitely look into the Algenist product. Thanks again!

[Rosegold47]

@Llamamama2 You may need to seek the help of a medical Aesthetician. Without actually seeing your skin and just going off of what you said, I would recommend Microdermabrasion, Micro Needling in an extreme case, a series of light enzyme or chemical peels and anti-aging facials, or laser resurfacing in stages. Fillers will be the fastest fix, the others will take time depending on your skin and the course of treatment. In the meantime or if you forgo that, try some  firming treatments. There are moisturizers, serums, oils, masks, so chose one that fits with your routine. Also incorporate some brightening agents to target the sun damage. Anything you can do to plump the skin will help. Look into the "7 Skins" method. Also consider upping your intake of water and adding a hyaluronic acid as will. Maybe a supplement for skin, look into Halo Beauty, they have some great before and afters with their supplement.  

https://www.sephora.com/product/black-tea-firming-corset-cream-P415107

https://www.sephora.com/product/clearly-corrective-dark-spot-solution-P422022?skuId=1989474&icid2=pr...

https://www.sephora.com/product/powerful-strength-line-reducing-concentrate-12-5-vitamin-c-P427529?i...

https://www.sephora.com/product/virgin-marula-tm-luxury-facial-oil-P392245?icid2=:p392245:product

https://www.sephora.com/product/rose-stem-cell-bio-repair-gel-mask-P386377?icid2=:p386377:product

https://www.sephora.com/product/water-drench-hyaluronic-cloud-serum-P222818?skuId=1898568&icid2=prod...

[Llamamama2]

Hi @Rosegold47. Thanks for the product suggestions. I was looking at that Fresh corset cream for awhile and may buy the sampler package to try out. I was also eyeing The Ordinary’s hyaluronic acid on their website. I have done microdermabrasion before but just once. I can get it done at my derm’s office for a good price so I’ll look into that as well. Peels kind of scare me...I have a friend who had an awful experience with one and it took her two weeks to heal! I’m sure she’s the exception and there are gentler peels out there though. Although I know Botox and fillers can be miracle workers, I’d like to try anything and everything else before taking that leap. Thanks again!

[Rosegold47]

@Llamamama2 there are definitely gentle peels, the trick is to make sure you prep the skin properly prior to administering them. (Chelating, or use of enzymes for a few days or weeks first) This drastically effects the outcome of a peel. Also keep in mind that not all peels will make you peel. The gentler acid peels absolutely should not make you peel or make hyperpigmentation worse if administered correctly. The “peeling” you see should only happen with very strong peels. That being said they can absolutely go very wrong. So if that is the path you chose, make sure you do pleanty of research on who will be doing your peel and prep for the peel. Best of luck to you! 

[RoamingHoliday]

Maybe moisturizers or hydrating serums with hyaluronic to also help plump? I think Buffet has it but and I know a bunch of other products Sephora carries does as well. It sounds like you're hitting every active I can think of, I would just say too many actives aren't necessarily the best thing, sort of like tortoise vs the hare, so keep an eye on how you're skin is reacting. 

Can you post the order of your AM and PM routine in terms of products you use? 

[Llamamama2]

How much time do you have @RomanHoliday lol. I feel like it takes me forever to get ready! AM - Pyunkang Yul essence, TO buffet with Copper, TO Vitamin C in Vitamin F oil, Josie Maran moisturizer plus spf 47, using a sample of Amore Pacific botanical radiance oil (I normally use Josie Maran’s Moondrops), Dr. Jart’s Tiger Grass Color Correcting treatment. PM - PY essence, Finacea foam, Tretinoin plus clindamycin (Ziana gel), TO niacinamide plus Zinc, moisturizing serum, TO moisturizer plus HA, TO rose hip oil or JM Argan reserve oil. I do the seven skin method with the essence and use masks a few days a week and exfoliate.