Forehead wrinkles! most of us have them. But what causes forehead wrinkles? and is there anything we can do about it?
Let's uncover the truth by diving into the complete list of what causes wrinkles on the forehead (horizontal lines)...
What Causes Forehead Wrinkles?
Forehead wrinkles develop from a number of preventable and sometimes not preventable factors. By understanding the causes of the wrinkles, we can work towards eliminating them or making sure they never appear in the first place.
Age
First on the list we have age! Anything wrinkle-related always starts with age.
The older we get, the more we lose collagen and elasticity of the skin (skin elasticity). Collagen and elastin production is the most important factor when it comes to a wrinkle-free and smooth face.
Skin aging is unavoidable and the first step for forehead lines is a lack of collagen production.
Over-Active Facial Expressions
Wrinkles are often formed by our facial expressions.
Just take a look in the mirror while you frown, squint and raise your eyebrows. You'll see temporary lines appear all around the face. Having facial expressions over time will causes permanent wrinkles on the skin.
We hate this one because it's not realistic to remove facial expressions (without anti-wrinkle injections), but we can be mindful of them.
Forehead lines are usually a sign of raising your eyebrows so just keep this in mind if you're wanting to reduce them.
Sun Exposure & Ultraviolet (UV) Rays
Sun exposure is a big one with anything skin related.
Like skin-aging, the sun breaks down those precious collagen and elastin fibers which causes premature aging. So, when possible, wear sunscreen and stay out of the sun if you're wanting that youthful appearance deep into your older age.
Sleep Lines
If you're a side sleeper you may notice you're starting to develop sleep likes on the side of the forehead you sleep on. This can be very frustrating as they start to become more prominent.
Sleeping on your back or using a forehead wrinkle patch to stop the wrinkles during sleep could is a good option to prevent this.
Skin Type & Genetics
Here is one we have no control over! Skin type and your genetics.
Sensitive skin types and people with pale skin are always more prone to forehead lines (and wrinkles in general).
If you have a lighter complexion and get sunburnt easily (you know who you are), be ready for more wrinkles as you age.
Take a look at your parents and see if you can notice deep forehead wrinkles. If they have them, you'll likely get them too if you don't take steps to prevent them.
Smoking
The chemicals in cigarettes (and vapes) will accelerate your skin aging by:
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Breaking down collagen
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Restricting blood flow to the skin (blood vessels)
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increasing skin healing time
If you've been considering quitting smoking for a while and forehead lines are a major concern for you, then now is the time! You can do it!
Stress
It's been shown that people with more stressful lives generally have more wrinkles.
Chronic stress can lead to an increase in the hormone known as cortisol, which breaks down collagen and elastin, contributing to wrinkles (and let's not forget the facial expressions you make in times of stress)
Hormones
The skin is very sensitive and hormonal changes will result in major skin changes.
This is shown at a young age with hormonal acne and at an older age, we get drier skin (dry skin) and more wrinkles, this is very noticeable during menopause.
If you're noticing dry skin, make sure to use a high-quality hyaluronic acid product like Advanced Tri-Hyaluronic Acid Serum.
Your Diet
Your skin is your largest organ and usually the first sign of internal problems. If your nutrition is lacking essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E, as well as those important antioxidants, it will contribute to skin aging and deep forehead wrinkles.
FAQ
When do forehead wrinkles start?
Forehead wrinkles usually start to occur for most people in their late 20s or 30s and will vary greatly from person to person based on genetic and lifestyle factors.
What age do you get forehead wrinkles?
As mentioned above, you'll start to notice them usually in your late 20s, but they will become more apparent in your late 30s and early 40s.
If you've taken care of your skin in your 20s, you'll have given yourself the best chance at having better looking skin well into your 40s and 50s.
Why do I have forehead wrinkles at 20?
Having forehead wrinkles at 20 is not unheard of and it could be from various factors like genetics, stress, poor nutrition, too much sun exposure or frequent squinting.
Pronounced permanent wrinkles is not common at 20 so you may just be self-conscious about expression lines and wrinkles. These are totally different to wrinkles that are constantly showing regardless of your facial movements.
Why do I have forehead wrinkles at 14?
While its extremely uncommon to have forehead wrinkles at the age of 14, it can happen and is usually the result of genetics. Other factors could be something more serious like underlying skin conditions or Nutrional deficiency.
The causes of forehead lines at a young age are debatable and its often best to seek professional help if it's a cause of major concern.
Why do I have forehead wrinkles at 12 or 13?
Forehead lines at 12 or 13 is very rare and should warrant further investigation to ensure there are no underlying skin conditions or medical issues. Consultation with a dermatologist or pediatrician would be advisable for diagnosis and treatment options.
What causes deep forehead wrinkles?
Whether the wrinkles are deep wrinkles or fine lines; the same causes are at play. Genetics, excess sun exposure, poor nutrition etc. are all major causes of the wrinkles.
What causes the 11 wrinkles on forehead?
The "11" wrinkles, also known as "frown lines" or "glabellar lines," are vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows and are often most noticeable when you frown.
These are mostly caused by genetics and repetitive facial expressions (frowning and squinting).
What muscle causes wrinkles across the forehead?
The muscle responsible for wrinkles across the forehead is called the "frontalis" muscle.
This muscle runs vertically from the top of the forehead to the eyebrows and is used in facial expressions that are involved in things such as raising the eyebrows or wrinkling the forehead.
Summary
If you want to prevent forehead wrinkles with your anti-aging skincare routine, it is possible, but it will take work.
We know the feeling... We've all looked in the mirror and thought to ourselves; why do I have so many wrinkles on my forehead? 😅
Youthful skin and overall skin health takes patience and discipline that most of us aren't willing to commit to.
If you're in this boat and want the surety to get rid of forehead wrinkles, then you'll need to skip the natural options (like derma rolling) and go straight for quarterly anti-wrinkle injections or yearly dermal fillers.
For more interesting articles check out:
When Should Hyaluronic Acid Be Applied?