Whether they are horizontal wrinkles in the middle of the forehead or vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows, also known as frown lines or glabellar lines, these markers of skin ageing are quite visible and can be a source of insecurity. How can they be reduced? Find all our recommendations below.
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Our advice for reducing forehead wrinkles.
Summary
- Advice No.1: Prioritise skin hydration
- Advice No. 2: Incorporate tensor active ingredients
- Advice No. 3: Try facial massages
- Advice No. 4: Resort to aesthetic medicine
- Sources
Published February 11, 2025,
updated on February 11, 2025,
by
Pauline, Chemical Engineer
—
10 min read
Advice No.1: Prioritise skin hydration.
Skin hydration is a key factor in the prevention and reduction of wrinkles, particularly those on the forehead. Indeed, well-hydrated skin is more capable of retaining moisture within its cells, thereby reducing the appearance of dehydration fine lines and also improving its elasticity. Good skin hydration also contributes to the protection of the skin against environmental aggressions, such as UV rays and pollution, which accelerate the degradation of collagen and elastin, proteins essential to the skin's structure. Thus, maintaining a good level of hydration helps to preserve the skin's suppleness and protection, two essential characteristics for reducing forehead wrinkles.
A recent study has explored the benefits of daily application of a moisturising cream containing alpha-ketoglutaric acid, an active ingredient beneficial for skin hydration and the maintenance of its barrier function. After daily application for seven days by 30 volunteers aged between 25 and 45, researchers observed an average reduction of 21.83% in forehead wrinkles. It's worth noting that no side effects were reported and a global reduction in overall facial wrinkles was recorded.
The daily application of a moisturising cream is a simple and non-invasive solution to reduce forehead wrinkles.
Note : To prevent forehead wrinkles, it is also recommended to use a sunscreen every day. Indeed, the sun is one of the primary factors of skin ageing.
Advice No. 2: Incorporate tensor active ingredients.
In parallel, it may be beneficial to incorporate tensing agents into one's skincare routine to reduce forehead wrinkles. The retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is one of the most well-known in this field. From a mechanistic perspective, retinol is capable of activating fibroblasts, the cells responsible for the synthesis of collagen and elastin, as well as aiding in the removal of degraded elastin fibres and inhibiting the action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), enzymes involved in the destruction of collagen under the effects of UV and oxidative stress. In addition to its restructuring effect, retinol accelerates cellular renewal, thus promoting smoother skin. These various actions allow it to slow down the formation of wrinkles and reduce those already present.
Several studies have highlighted the effects of retinol on wrinkles. One of them, published in 2020, specifically reports its benefits for forehead wrinkles. After twelve weeks of daily use of a serum containing 0.3% retinol, 37 volunteers observed a significant reduction in their forehead wrinkles and an 8.1% improvement in skin elasticity in this area. Retinol, already known for its overall action on skin ageing, is thus a good ally for reducing forehead wrinkles.
Beyond retinol, peptides and alpha-hydroxy acids, such as the mandelic acid, can also be beneficial in combating forehead wrinkles.
Advice No. 3: Try facial massages.
To alleviate forehead wrinkles, some people also recommend practising facial massages and facial gymnastics. These exercises are believed to improve the flexibility and firmness of the skin, while stimulating microcirculation of the blood. Moreover, according to some sources, facial massages could increase the production of collagen and elastin, although this point is still debated within the scientific community.
Nevertheless, a recent study has highlighted the potential of an electric facial massage device in reducing forehead wrinkles. For this purpose, 42 women aged between 65 and 75 were recruited and divided into two groups: the first group was instructed to apply a daily moisturising cream, followed by the use of the massage device, while the second group was only given the moisturising cream. After four weeks, participants in the first group observed a reduction in their facial wrinkles, including those on their forehead, 31% more significant than those in the second group. It would thus appear that the use of the facial massage device had an impact on reducing the forehead wrinkles of the volunteers.
While further studies are still required, there are reasons to believe that facial massages could help to reduce forehead wrinkles.
Advice No. 4: Resort to aesthetic medicine.
Finally, to visibly reduce forehead wrinkles, it is possible to resort to aesthetic medicine techniques. These are numerous: microneedling, radiofrequency, laser, chemical peeling... However, the most common for forehead wrinkles remain botulinum toxin and/or hyaluronic acid injections. Also known as botox, botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that works by temporarily blocking nerve transmission to the muscles, which reduces wrinkles. Its maximum effect appears in two weeks and lasts from four to six months, intensifying as the injections are repeated. If poorly dosed, botulinum toxin can freeze expressions, hence the importance of seeking a qualified practitioner. Side effects are generally mild, such as small bruises. Finally, it is not recommended for pregnant women, people on anti-inflammatory drugs, and those suffering from neurological diseases.
With regards to hyaluronic acid injections, they have a filling effect and allow for the restoration of skin volume, thereby reducing forehead wrinkles. This is possible due to the strong hygroscopic power of hyaluronic acid, capable of attracting and retaining water in skin cells, thus causing a swelling in the skin. Generally safe, hyaluronic acid injections can nevertheless cause temporary redness and swelling and are not recommended for pregnant women, and individuals suffering from an autoimmune disease or a skin infection.
Botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid injections have a temporary effect on forehead wrinkles, which can last from 6 to 24 months depending on the technique used.
To extend their duration and enhance their effectiveness, it is possible to combine them. This was demonstrated in a recent study conducted with 20 volunteers who received injections of botulinum toxin alone on one side of the forehead and injections of hyaluronic acid followed by botulinum toxin on the other side. Blind evaluations were carried out by a dermatologist to assess the effectiveness of managing static and dynamic wrinkles during follow-up visits at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. The results, compiled in the table below, show a synergistic effect of these two injection techniques and an enhanced effectiveness on forehead wrinkles when they are used simultaneously.
| Monitoring | Percentage of participants with a significant improvement (hyaluronic acid and botox) | Percentage of participants with a significant improvement (botox alone) |
|---|---|---|
| After 2 weeks | 90 (static wrinkles) - 100 (dynamic wrinkles) | 80 (static wrinkles) - 100 (dynamic wrinkles) |
| After 6 weeks | 90 (static wrinkles) - 100 (dynamic wrinkles) | 85 (static wrinkles) - 100 (dynamic wrinkles) |
| After 12 weeks | 85 (static wrinkles) - 100 (dynamic wrinkles) | 75 (static wrinkles) - 100 (dynamic wrinkles) |
| After 24 weeks | 55 (static wrinkles) - 90 (dynamic wrinkles) | 50 (static wrinkles) - 85 (dynamic wrinkles) |
Improvement of forehead wrinkles in participants following the injection of either botox alone or a combination of hyaluronic acid and botox.
Source: ALAM M. & co. Treatment of forehead/glabellar wrinkle complex with a combination of botulinum toxin A and hyaluronic acid versus botulinum toxin A injection alone: a split-face, rater-blinded, randomised control trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2013).
Botox and hyaluronic acid injections are not trivial procedures. We advise you to only have them performed by a professional you trust and to closely follow their pre- and post-operative recommendations.
Sources
GHALI G. & et al. Management of the ageing forehead: A review. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology (2003).
ALAM M. & et al. Treatment of forehead/glabellar wrinkle complex with a combination of botulinum toxin A and hyaluronic acid versus botulinum toxin A injection alone: a split-face, rater-blinded, randomised control trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2013).
HOSAM W. & al. Forehead Wrinkles: A Histological and Immunohistochemical Evaluation. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2014).
CONTINENZA M. & et al. Wrinkles: Origins and Treatments. Progress in Cosmetics and Dermatology (2016).
SHAIK L. & al. An Assessment of the Use of Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Treatment of Dynamic Forehead Wrinkles - A Clinical Study. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (2016).
TADLOCK L. & al. Impacts of a skin-massaging instrument on the ex-vivo expression of human dermis proteins and in-vivo facial wrinkles. PLOS ONE (2017).
MADHU G. & al. Skin Ageing: Pathophysiology and Current Market Treatment Approaches. Current Aging Science (2020).
ERKIERT-POLGUJ A. & et al. A Clinical Anti-Ageing Comparative Study of 0.3 and 0.5% Retinol Serums: A Clinically Controlled Trial. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology (2020).
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