Wrinkles are a part of life, and as early as your 20s and 30s, you may start to notice small creases and deeper folds developing on your forehead. We welcome the natural aging process, but there’s also nothing wrong with wanting to seek out skincare products and cosmetic procedures that can help restore a youthful radiance to your skin. 

With an overwhelming amount of options to treat fine lines and wrinkles, from topical retinoids to fractional laser therapy, it can be tricky to choose what treatment is best for your skin. In conversation with USA TODAY, three dermatologists break down everything you need to know about forehead wrinkles, from how they develop to the steps you can take to soften their appearance.    

Why is my forehead so wrinkly?

On the forehead, horizontal wrinkles run the length of your T-zone, and “11” lines are the vertical wrinkles that form between your brows, per Healthline. During the aging process, your skin begins to lose collagen. Over time, the thinning of the skin, and exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, contribute to the development of fine lines and wrinkles, according to Harvard Health. 

The repeated movement of the frontalis muscle, which moves your eyebrows up and down, causes horizontal lines to develop on your forehead, says Dr. DiAnne Davis, MD, FAAD, a board-certified, fellowship-trained dermatologist practicing in Dallas. Davis explains that “11” lines develop similarly, although the movement that causes you to furrow your brows is instead controlled by the procerus and corrugator muscles. “For some people, especially if they are very animated, or use a lot of expressions when they talk, they may start to notice fine lines and wrinkles on their forehead sooner,” she says. 

Is there really a wrinkle cream that works?

A solid skincare regimen that incorporates anti-aging topical treatments can help soften and slow the development of lines on your forehead. To combat forehead wrinkles, the most important skincare product you need is a retinoid, emphasizes Dr. Tia Paul, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Newport Beach, CA. 

Retin A (tretinoin) and Tazorac (tazarotene) are two common topical retinoids that stimulate collagen, improve hyperpigmentation, and smooth wrinkles, according to studies. Over the counter retinol products, which fall under the retinoid umbrella, present similar benefits. However, retinol is approximately 20 times less powerful than prescription-strength retinoids, evidence suggests. 

Retinoids can leave your skin dry, red, and at risk of photosensitivity, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. So, if you’re having trouble tolerating it on your skin, using a peptide-based product can be a great alternative, Paul says. 

As for other popular ingredients found in OTC anti-aging products, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid can help dissipate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, says Dr. Neera Nathan, MD, MSHS, a board-certified dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon. Lastly, never skip out on your sunscreen. The daily application of sunscreen “is still the most important thing you can do to prevent further sun damage and [the] appearance of lines and wrinkles,” Paul adds. 

How can I tighten my forehead skin?

Depending on your age group and the extent of your lines and wrinkles, serums and creams will only go so far. 

The most tried and true treatment that can be performed to soften forehead wrinkles and exaggerated “11” lines, is the injection of a neuromodulator, Davis says. Botulinum toxin, also known as Botox, inhibits your muscles from contracting, according to Mayo Clinic. Once injected into the active portion of a muscle, botox can provide a “temporary improvement of moderate to severe forehead lines and frown lines,” Davis adds. “It’s a great in-office treatment that can be done” within 10 minutes.

Resurfacing treatments, such as fractional laser therapy, can rejuvenate your skin and even out wrinkles, studies suggest. Lasers penetrate the skin barrier to create micro-thermal zones, which are “tiny little columns in this skin,” Davis explains. These columns signal the surrounding skin to start the wound healing process, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin, and leaving the skin younger, fresher and tighter, she says.

Similarly, “radiofrequency and ultrasound treatments can also help firm and tighten skin,” Nathan says. While fractional lasers use light, radiofrequency treatments leverage heat to get below the skin’s surface, according to Healthline. The treatment promotes collagen production by “creating these micro-wounds in your skin, and then allowing your skin to heal,” Paul says. 

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If you’re in your 20s and 30s, Paul suggests microneedling, which is a procedure that creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin, and is great at smoothing lines on your forehead, per WebMD. “The whole idea is for your body to respond to those tiny wounds that you're creating, and again, stimulate collagen production,” she explains.

As for exfoliating chemical treatments, there are superficial, medium-depth, and deep chemical peels that target different layers of the skin. To tackle forehead wrinkles, Davis often recommends a medium-depth chemical peel that reaches the second layer of the skin. However, “I usually don't recommend those for my patients with Black or Brown skin, or a darker skin tone,” due to the risk of hyperpigmentation, she says.