As you grow older, furrow lines, also called frown lines, can appear on your forehead. However, they are no longer restricted to the phenomenon of aging.
The appearance of wrinkles and lines on the face and forehead depends on how well you take care of your skin, both externally and internally. You could develop fine lines and wrinkles on your forehead as a result of stress, poor skin care regimen, and habits such as consumption of alcohol and smoking.
In this post, we will discuss the causes of forehead wrinkles and how you can reduce their appearance by using natural remedies.
In This Article
- What Causes Forehead Wrinkles?
- How To Reduce Forehead Wrinkles Easily At Home
- Medical Treatment Methods
- Prevention Tips
What Causes Forehead Wrinkles?
Wrinkles are formed as a direct consequence of aging. When we age, the production of collagen can decrease, causing the skin to become loose and start developing wrinkles.
Other factors that cause wrinkles include hormonal changes, photodamage related to excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun, and habits, such as smoking and alcohol consumption (1). In some cases, stress may also cause the appearance of forehead wrinkles and fine lines.
In the next section, we will explore some natural ways to reduce forehead wrinkles.
How To Reduce Forehead Wrinkles Easily At Home
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil moisturizes the skin and can reduce the appearance of wrinkles (2). It contains antioxidants that can eliminate free radical activity in skin tissues (3). This may help eliminate or fade the forehead lines in due course of time.
You Will Need
1 teaspoon virgin coconut oil
What You Have To Do
- Take some virgin coconut oil in your palm.
- Massage it on your forehead and face for a few minutes or until the oil is absorbed by the skin.
- Leave it on overnight.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this every night before going to bed.
Note: Avoid this remedy if you have oily or acne-prone skin as coconut oil may cause more breakouts.
2. Castor Oil
Ricinoleic acid found in castor oil is a skin-conditioning agent (4). Castor oil also contains antioxidants (5). These antioxidants prevent free radical damage to the skin and keep the skin on your forehead healthy and free of frown lines.
You Will Need
1 teaspoon of castor oil
What You Have To Do
- Apply castor oil in a gentle tapping motion on your forehead.
- Leave it on overnight.
- You can also use this during the day.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this once daily.
3. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits like orange and lemon are rich in vitamins C and E that are essential for skin health. The flavonoids in citrus fruits can strengthen capillaries and boost collagen and elastin in the skin. This may help impart a youthful appearance and reduce wrinkles (6).
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- 2-3 teaspoons of water
- Cotton balls
What You Have To Do
- Mix a teaspoon of lemon juice with two to three teaspoons of water.
- Dip a cotton ball in the mixture and apply it to your forehead. Allow it to dry.
- Wash your face with water.
- Alternatively, you can grind the skin of citrus fruits, like lemons and oranges, mix it with some rose water and apply as a pack on your face. Rinse with water.
- You can also include citrus fruits in your diet for long-term benefits.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply it once every alternate day.
4. Massage
A gentle massage will improve blood circulation to the facial tissues and also relax your facial muscles. This may help eliminate wrinkles and fine lines. Olive oil moisturizes your skin and may help delay skin aging (2).
You Will Need
- A few drops of olive oil
- A few drops of coconut oil
What You Have To Do
- Massage olive oil in an upward motion on your forehead for 10 minutes.
- For better results, you can add a few drops of coconut oil to olive oil and use this mixture to massage your forehead.
- Wash your face with water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1-2 times every day.
5. Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. When ingested, it may help regulate skin barrier function, thus reducing the fine lines and wrinkles (7).
You Will Need
1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil
What You Have To Do
Consume a tablespoon of flaxseed oil.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-4 times a day for a fortnight.
Note: Flax seeds contain cyanide glycoside, which can increase toxicity if used over a long period of time.
6. Aloe Vera Gel
Both aloe vera and egg white are rich sources of vitamin E. Aloe vera contains malic acid, which is known to reduce fine lines by tightening and toning the skin (8).
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 1 egg white
What You Have To Do
- Mix the egg white and aloe vera gel and apply this pack on your forehead. You can also apply it to the rest of your face.
- Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-4 times a day for a fortnight.
7. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is rich in vitamin E and esters that can help slow down the skin aging process (9). This may help reduce the appearance of forehead wrinkles.
You Will Need
A few drops of jojoba oil
What You Have To Do
- Massage the oil on your forehead in upward motions with your fingertips.
- Do this for a minute or two and leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every night before going to bed.
8. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly contains petrolatum. It regulates skin barrier repair function and keeps your skin hydrated (10). This, in turn, can prevent the formation of fine lines.
You Will Need
1/2 teaspoon of petroleum jelly
What You Have To Do
- Dampen your forehead and apply a tiny amount of petroleum jelly.
- Massage it in so that the skin doesn’t feel sticky.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this every night before going to bed.
Note: Do not use this remedy if you have acne-prone skin since petroleum jelly may aggravate the acne.
9. Manuka Honey
The active components found in Manuka honey, namely benzoic acid and methylglyoxal, impart therapeutic properties to it (11). It also has emollient properties, which help in moisturizing your skin and delays the formation of wrinkles. These properties work on the skin and keep it healthy, regenerated, and young-looking.
You Will Need
- 1-2 tablespoons of honey
- Hot water
- Sterile washcloth
What You Have To Do
- Soak the washcloth in the bowl of hot water.
- Wring out the excess and place the cloth on the forehead for a minute or two to open up the pores.
- Remove the washcloth and apply a thin layer of Manuka honey on the forehead.
- Leave it on for 20 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water.
- Rinse with cold water to close the pores.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this every day.
10. Almond Oil
Almond oil can make your skin smooth and enhance skin barrier function. Its emollient property keeps the skin moisturized and hydrated (12). This, in turn, can help reduce forehead wrinkles.
You Will Need
1 teaspoon of almond oil
What You Have To Do
- Apply a few drops of almond oil on the forehead.
- Massage for a few minutes and leave it on.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this every night before going to bed.
There are a host of medical options that could help eliminate forehead wrinkles. Some of themare listed below.
Medical Treatment Methods
- Neurotoxin Injections: Botulinum toxin (BT) or Botox is a neurotoxin injection that is produced by Clostridium botulinum (13). This is effective in eliminating facial wrinkles and lines and is commonly used as a part of overall facial rejuvenation.
- Laser Resurfacing: In this method, your surgeon will use an ultra pulsed laser beam to ablate the epidermal cells, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles (14). This procedure has little to no side effects. This is an effective method to eliminate superficial wrinkles on your forehead, neck, and cheeks.
- Acupuncture: This procedure, known as Facial Cosmetic Acupuncture (FCA), is done on your face, head, and neck. It increases facial elasticity by helping boost facial muscle tone (15). Needles are inserted in the muscles of the face and neck. This may cause mild bruising at the site of insertion in some cases.
Here are some ways by which you may be able to prevent the early appearance of forehead wrinkles.
Prevention Tips
- You can use an anti-aging facial that contains active ingredients that can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles on your face.
- Several studies show that retinoids or vitamin A can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles as they can enhance cell growth and differentiation (16).
- Follow a healthy diet. This can make sure that you consume essential vitamins (like vitamins A, C, and E) and minerals required to boost collagen production in your skin, thereby preventing wrinkles (17).
- Engaging in regular workouts and physical activity can help keep your skin replenished and supple.
- It is imperative to keep yourself hydrated as it keeps your skin replenished and supple.
- Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight as this can cause photoaging and increase the appearance of forehead wrinkles.
- Quit habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption as it harms your skin tissue and eventually gives them an aged appearance (18).
- You could use facial creams and products that contain hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring biopolymer that is a part of the extracellular matrix of skin tissues. This can be used as a dermal filler as HA gets crosslinked in your skin, thereby reducing forehead wrinkles.
- Getting enough sleep and staying away from stress is also important.
Aging is a natural process, and it is inevitably accompanied by the appearance of wrinkles and age lines around your mouth and forehead. Keeping your skin well moisturized is essential to prevent the formation of fine lines on your forehead. These tips and tricks can help you manage the appearance of fine lines and forehead wrinkles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which muscle is responsible for horizontal wrinkles on your forehead?
A. The occipitofrontalis muscles are responsible for the horizontal lines on your forehead.
Q. What to use for deep forehead wrinkles?
A. The remedies listed above work for both fine lines and deep forehead wrinkles. Although it might take a while for the deeper lines to smoothen out, it is recommended to use these remedies on a regular basis for the best results.
