How to Prevent Forehead Wrinkles

Medically reviewed by Daniel Barrett, MD

Last Updated: April 12, 2021 References

Your forehead is one of the main places where wrinkles will appear as you age. If you're worried about developing wrinkles, you can take steps to minimize them. Keep in mind, though, no treatment will prevent wrinkles completely. Nonetheless, things like protecting your skin from the sun, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, adjusting your facial position, and sleeping properly will help slow down the development of wrinkles over time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Taking Care of Your Face

1
Apply a daily moisturizer in the morning and at night. Dried-out skin ages more quickly, which can lead to developing wrinkles earlier. Using a moisturizer will help keep your skin hydrated and provide it with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Wash your face first, then gently rub a cherry-sized amount of moisturizer into your forehead and face using gentle circles.^{[1]
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- Look for a moisturizer with retinol and vitamin C to help prevent wrinkles.^{[2]
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  Daniel Barrett, MD
  Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
  Expert Interview. 9 December 2020.}
- At night, you may want to pick a heavier cream moisturizer, which will provide more hydrating power.^{[3]
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2
Wear a sunscreen that's SPF 30 or greater every time you go outside. Over time, the sun's rays can cause damage to your skin. In turn, that can lower the elasticity, making you more prone to wrinkles. Since your forehead is often exposed to the sun, make sure you're protecting it with sunscreen.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Daniel Barrett, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Expert Interview. 9 December 2020.}
- You can even get daily moisturizers that have sunscreen in them.
- If you're going to be outside all day, wear a hat to protect your forehead and face from the sun.^{[5]
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3
Wear sunglasses outside to reduce squinting. Even when it’s a cloudy day, it can still be quite bright out, causing you to squint. Reduce squinting (and therefore wrinkles) by wearing a good pair of sunglasses that are polarized and offer UV protection.^{[6]
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- Freebie sunglasses often don’t actually protect your eyes from UV, so it’s worth it to invest in better sunglasses.
4
Use retinoids treatments once a day if you want. Apply these treatments at night before you go to bed. They help your skin produce more collagen, which is what gives it elasticity. That can help reduce wrinkles over time. Because they can dry your skin out or cause irritation, try them every other night at first. After a couple of weeks, you can increase to once a day.^{[7]
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- Over-the-counter, look for treatments with retinol in them. You can also get prescription treatments from a dermatologist, such as tretinoin, tazarotene, and adapalene.
- Some moisturizers already contain retinoids, so check your ingredient list.
5
Try Botox treatments to prevent wrinkles from settling in. Botox is an injection that helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and it can also prevent new ones from forming.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Daniel Barrett, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Expert Interview. 9 December 2020.} You need to visit a dermatologist for these treatments every 6 months or so, and they typically run $175-$500 USD per treatment.^{[9]
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- You can start these treatments in your 20s to help with future wrinkles.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Maintaining Your Health

1
Stop smoking to slow down aging. If you've been thinking about quitting, now is a good time! Not only does smoking cause a whole host of health problems, it also ages your skin faster, leading to more wrinkles on places like your forehead. Talk to your doctor about quitting, and they can help you get on treatments like nicotine patches or pills to help you quit.^{[10]
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- Join a support group for people trying to quit. They'll help you figure out coping strategies when you get the urge to light up.
- Find replacements for smoking. For example, if you like to light up at lunch, hang out with your coworkers instead or take a walk.
2
Reduce your stress through meditation to avoid wrinkles. When we get stressed, we tend to scrunch up our faces. Try meditating for just a few minutes a day when you are starting out. Set a timer for three minutes, close your eyes, and focus on your breath.^{[11]
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- Don’t worry if you get distracted while meditating – everyone does. The key is noticing you’re distracted and bring back your attention to the breath.
3
Eat a healthy diet with lots of vegetables and little processed meats. To keep your skin (and the rest of you) healthy, make sure to eat a variety of vegetables every day. Try switching out white bread for whole grains and fruit or dark chocolate for sugary treats. Instead of processed deli meats or hamburgers, try chicken, eggs, or beans.^{[12]
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- If you don’t eat dairy, make sure you get calcium from other sources like seeds or supplements to support skin health.
4
Drink alcohol in moderation to protect your skin. Moderate drinking is no more than one drink a day for most women, and two for most men. Drinking excessively dehydrates your skin and speeds up the wrinkling process.^{[13]
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- If you’re addicted to alcohol, consider joining a support group or seeking therapy.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Adjusting Your Facial Position

1
Relax your face every time you feel yourself tensing. Scrunching up your face while you're working or even just watching television can cause wrinkles over time, especially since the effect tends to be the most dramatic on your forehead. You may not even realize you're doing it! Try setting an alarm for every 30 minutes or so throughout the day to remind you to check your facial muscles. If you're tensed, consciously relax your muscles.^{[14]
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- To help you relax, take a deep breath or 2. Look in a mirror to make sure you've completely un-tensed your muscles.
- If you're squinting a lot while reading or working on the computer, you may need to look into getting glasses or, if you have them already, a new prescription.
2
Try the half-smile exercise several times a day. Pretend like you're going to smile or laugh, but don't actually follow through. You should feel your eyebrows lift up slightly and the skin around your ears pull back a bit. This light exercise helps work those muscles.^{[15]
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- Hold the position for 30 seconds. Relax for a bit and do it again. You can do this as many times a day as you'd like.
- In general, avoid over-exaggerating all of your facial expressions, which can help reduce the appearance of forehead wrinkles.^{[16]
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  Expert Source
  
  Daniel Barrett, MD
  Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
  Expert Interview. 9 December 2020.}
3
Try facial yoga for forehead wrinkles. Make a C shape with each hand around your eyes, like binoculars. Pull the skin of your forehead down with your index fingers while raising your eyebrows. Hold that pose for 2 seconds.^{[17]
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- Perform these exercises in front of a mirror to make sure you are doing them correctly.
- Clean your hands before touching your face.
4
Avoid leaning against your hand during the day. When you lean the side of your face or even your forehead on your hand for extended periods, you put pressure on your face, scrunching it up. In turn, that can lead to developing wrinkles over time.^{[18]
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- If you catch yourself resting your face on your hand, remind yourself not to!
5
Tap your face in key spots to release tension. Tapping your face reminds you to release the tension in those muscles, leading to a smoother face. Tap using your index finger at 7 main points, the top of the head, between the eyebrows, outside the eyes, under the eyes, under the nose, at the chin, and on the collar bone.^{[19]
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- Tapping can also help ground you in your body so that you can let go of other tension.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Working on Preventing Wrinkles Overnight

1
Sleep on your back to cut down on wrinkles. When you scrunch your face up against a pillow, it causes the skin to fold on your forehead and face. Over time, those lines can develop into permanent wrinkles, particularly if you always sleep the same way. The best solution is to flip over on your back if you can.^{[20]
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2
Use a silk or satin pillowcase instead of cotton. With a softer fabric, your face won't wrinkle up as much at night, even if you are sleeping on your side or stomach. Silk or satin pillowcases are the best options, as they are nice and smooth for your face.^{[21]
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3
Apply facial adhesive patches to prevent wrinkles from frowning. Made just for your face, these patches go over areas that are prone to wrinkle overnight, such as on your forehead, around your mouth, and in the corners of your eyes. Make sure your face is clean and dry. Relax your facial muscles, and then apply the patches across your forehead.^{[22]
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- Don't try to pull your skin taut. Rather, just gently smooth the skin out.^{[23]
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- You can find these online or at most beauty stores. Just peel them off in the morning.
4
Use a layer of petroleum jelly to hold in moisture and smooth lines more cheaply. For a cheaper option than patches, use petroleum jelly before you sleep. Wash your face first, and leave a bit of moisture on your skin. Get a pea-sized dab on the end of your finger and swipe it across your forehead.^{[24]
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- Keep massaging it in until it doesn't feel tacky anymore.
- You could also try coconut oil instead, which will also hydrate your skin.^{[25]
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5
Sleep 7-8 hours a night to encourage healthy skin. Not getting enough sleep is detrimental to your health. It may even cause your skin to age prematurely if you do it on a regular basis. Make sure you're hitting the sheets early enough each night to get the recommended amount of sleep.^{[26]
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- If you have trouble getting to bed early enough, try setting an alarm an hour before you need to go to bed. That way, you can start turning off your electronics and winding down.
- Adjust your bedroom to make sure you're getting the best sleep you can. For instance, make sure you're blocking out as much light as possible with curtains and blinds. Also, use a noise-canceling machine if sounds keep you up. You may also want to kick your pets out of your bedroom, as they can disrupt your sleep.

How Can I Increase Collagen Production In My Face?

Expert Q&A
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Question

How does Botox work for wrinkles?

Daniel Barrett, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Daniel Barrett is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and the owner of Barrett Plastic Surgery based in Beverly Hills, California. With over six years of plastic surgery experience, Dr. Barrett specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, nose and body. He has developed detailed scar management protocols and closure techniques to reduce the appearance of scars for his patients. Dr. Barrett obtained a BS from James Madison University and an MD along with an MS in Physiology and and an MHA (Masters of Health Administration) from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond.

Daniel Barrett, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Botox prevents the muscles near the injection site from moving. This helps minimize the appearance of wrinkles and can prevent new wrinkles from forming.
Question

Can facial expressions cause wrinkles?

Daniel Barrett, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Daniel Barrett is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and the owner of Barrett Plastic Surgery based in Beverly Hills, California. With over six years of plastic surgery experience, Dr. Barrett specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, nose and body. He has developed detailed scar management protocols and closure techniques to reduce the appearance of scars for his patients. Dr. Barrett obtained a BS from James Madison University and an MD along with an MS in Physiology and and an MHA (Masters of Health Administration) from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond.

Daniel Barrett, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Expert Answer

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Yes. To help reduce the appearance of forehead wrinkles, train yourself not to over-exaggerate your expressions. That way, you won't utilize those muscles as much.
Question

How can I stop my face from aging?

Daniel Barrett, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Daniel Barrett is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and the owner of Barrett Plastic Surgery based in Beverly Hills, California. With over six years of plastic surgery experience, Dr. Barrett specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, nose and body. He has developed detailed scar management protocols and closure techniques to reduce the appearance of scars for his patients. Dr. Barrett obtained a BS from James Madison University and an MD along with an MS in Physiology and and an MHA (Masters of Health Administration) from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond.

Daniel Barrett, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Daily sunscreen and sun avoidance will help improve the elasticity of your skin so wrinkles don't appear prematurely. In addition, a daily skincare regimen using retinol and vitamin C is a must.