Frown Lines & Forehead Wrinkles

Collagen and elastin are two proteins in the skin that give it structure and support. As we age, collagen production slows down which leads to sagging skin. In the forehead, this creates folds and loose skin without a smooth appearance. When talking about treating forehead wrinkles and frown lines, using anti-aging treatments that are focused on stimulating collagen and elastin (like microneedling and laser skin rejuvenation) will not address the root cause of the wrinkles. The muscles that cause these wrinkles are very strong and they will continue making wrinkles no matter how much your skin cells are stimulated. This is why using wrinkle-relaxing ‘tox and hyaluronic acid fillers, which work at the root cause of the wrinkles, are the preferred choices for enhancing the appearance of the forehead. Some studies have even suggested that the act of injecting filler can stimulate collagen to a small degree, so you can benefit from both skin rejuvenation and wrinkle reduction with an injectable treatment.

While the effects of aging occur to all of us, there are some ways to prevent wrinkles if you start early and stay consistent. Our aesthetic experts know that starting to use Botox in your late 20s and no later than 30 can help prevent the appearance of wrinkles that occur due to frequent muscle movement, including lines and wrinkles throughout the upper face. You should also wear sunscreen and sunglasses to prevent skin damage and unnecessary squinting in the sun. Other than wearing sunscreen, these are behaviors you can adopt to help prevent and improve these wrinkles and other signs of aging: Invest in high-quality skincare – there’s a big difference in the impact of a 0.1% retinol from Olay vs. a 1% Retin-A prescription, both in cell turnover and skin quality. The same goes for other results-focused skincare products. You don’t need to invest in a ton of different products either, just 4 quality skincare products can make a huge difference in your appearance. Treat early with Botox and be consistent – you can get away with longer between treatments when you’re younger, but as you age, if you want to prevent frown lines and forehead wrinkles from needing filler as well as Botox, you need to be retreating every 4-5 months, max. Try to retrain your muscles to not make as intense or frequent facial expressions. Frowning and raising your brows are things you can improve upon with dedicated effort. Both frowning and squinting are often signs you need to wear darker, larger sunglasses (or you need a Rx change on your glasses). Consider how you can make this a part of your “new normal” – Botox can help you along this path, if you are intentional about using it to help retrain those muscles.

Frown lines on the forehead can be effectively treated with injectables like Botox or Dysport. These neuromodulators relax the muscles that cause wrinkles, smoothing out lines between the eyebrows and the forehead.

Frown lines, also known as “11s,” are the vertical lines that form between the eyebrows due to repeated muscle contractions when frowning. Forehead lines, on the other hand, are horizontal wrinkles that appear across the forehead when you raise your eyebrows or express surprise.

Repeated facial movements, such as raising eyebrows, are the primary cause of forehead wrinkles. Over time, the skin loses elasticity, and repeated muscle contractions form permanent lines.

A typical Botox or filler treatment for frown lines or forehead wrinkles usually takes about 15–30 minutes, depending on the extent of the treated areas.

The effects of Botox or Dysport injections typically last 3 to 4 months, depending on your body’s metabolism and how often you undergo treatment. Dermal fillers can last longer, ranging from 6 months to over a year.