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Dermal Fillers

How to Get Rid of Forehead Wrinkles without Botox

Clients use different ways to enhance looks, alleviate aging signs and bring a face to shape. This article discusses how to get rid of forehead wrinkles without botulinum toxin injections, including; causes of forehead wrinkles, alternatives for removing them, and habits to prevent them from growing.

Forehead wrinkles are signs of aging. Genetics and excessive use of facial expressions can also cause forehead wrinkles. Forehead wrinkles are also caused by hormonal imbalance, overexposure to sunlight, or poor skincare routine. These deep horizontal lines can make patients uncomfortable and older than they are. Spotting a wrinkle on the skin can be an unpleasant experience. Botulinum toxin injection is among the most common ways to get rid of frown lines and achieve a smooth forehead. However, clients can use other options to get a smooth forehead without botulinum toxin injections.

What Causes Forehead Wrinkles?

Smoking

Smoking is detrimental not only tothe skin but also to the whole well-being. Smoking narrows blood vessels reducing oxygen flow and the number of nutrients reachingthe skin cells. It also reduces the body’s ability to generate new cells, making the skin defenseless against damage by free radicals. Heavy smokers risk a higher chance of getting noticeable forehead wrinkles.

Overexposure to Sunlight

Sunlight is essential to health. However, excessive sunlight exposure is detrimental to the skin. The sun contains harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation,destroying the skin’s collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin ensure the skin is smooth, plump, and revitalized. Overexposure to sunlight causes premature aging, leading to the formation of forehead wrinkles.

Genetics

Some patients come from a family history of premature aging. They are likely to develop forehead wrinkles at a younger age.

Excessive Use of Facial Expressions

Making constant facial expressions moves the forehead muscles. This creates skin depressions, leading to the formation of forehead wrinkles.

Too Much Alcohol

Alcohol is a bloodthinner and a dehydrating agent. It constricts blood vessels minimizing oxygen flow to the skin cells and making the skin appear dry and aged. Alcohol destroys skin cells, forming premature wrinkles.

Aging

Forehead wrinkles can be a result of the natural aging process. It happens to clients over 40 years of age. Natural oil production decreases, and the skin loses its elasticity and fatty tissues while aging. This changes skin texture, making it susceptible to wrinkles.

What Is Botulinum Toxin Injection, and How Does It Work for Forehead Wrinkles?

Botulinum toxin is highly poisonous. However, when appropriately administered in smaller doses, botulinum toxin is safe and effective. According to Small (2014), botulinum toxin treatments are popular because they reduce deep forehead wrinkles. Satriyasa (2019) stated thatbotulinum toxin injections freeze muscle cells, reducing wrinkles.

Alternatives for Removing Forehead Wrinkles

Skin Resurfacing Treatments

Lasers resurface the skin by removing dead cells on the forehead. Khunger&Chanana (2022) suggested that skin resurfacing procedures, such as chemical peels, lasers, micro-needling, and dermabrasion, can reduce the appearance of forehead wrinkles. A chemical peel solution causes layers to peel off, revealing more refreshed skin. They are available in different strengths ranging from mild, medium, and deep chemical peels.

Surgical Procedures

Kim et al. (2015) noted that patients could consider surgical procedures such as forehead lifts and skin tightening to eliminate forehead wrinkles. Unlike non-surgical procedures, the recovery time is longer. However, their effects are more long-lasting.

Retinol Products

Nilforoushzadeh et al. (2018) suggested that patients try skincare products containing retinol to improve collagen and stimulate new skin cell production. Retinol does not work well with sunlight. Patients may need to apply it overnight for the best-looking results.

Injectable Dermal Treatments

According to Bukhari et al. (2018), different dermal fillers restore lost volume in the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Most of them contain natural substances such as hyaluronic acid. According to Kapoor et al. (2021), hyaluronic acid stimulates collagen production and adds plumpness to the skin, leaving it more refreshed.Funt& Pavicic (2013) showed that  Injectable dermal fillers are long-lasting. The study above also showed that their effects last 6 to 12 months, depending on the filler used.

Facial Cosmetic Acupuncture

Facial cosmetic acupuncture (FCA) is relatively new but can produce promising results. According to Yun et al. (2013), acupuncture can help improve oil/water content and elasticity in the facial skin. This may help reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, including forehead wrinkles.

Habits to Prevent Forehead Wrinkles

Patients should do the following;

  • drink plenty of water.
  • do regular face scrubbing
  • Stay stress-free
  • Minimize sunlight exposure
  • Reduce alcohol consumption
  • Avoid smoking
  • Eat a balanced diet

Frequently Asked Questions about Botox

What Arethe Side Effects of Botulinum Toxin Injections?

Kassir et al. (2020) suggested that common side effects after botulinum treatment include bruising, redness, mild pain, or swelling at the injection site. However, if botulinum toxin injection is poorly done, patients may experience dry eyes or blurred vision.

What Is the Difference Between Botox and Dermal Fillers?

Botulinum toxin injections relax muscle cells and make them less stiff to minimize the appearance of wrinkles. Dermal fillers add fullness to areas of the skin with lost volume, helping patients achieve a more youthful look.

Conclusion

Botulinum toxintreatment is a popular treatment for facial wrinkles and fine lines. However, it may not appeal to all clients. Clients may have more options to consider for getting rid of forehead lines. Several facial creams, anti-wrinkle dietary supplements, chemical peels, and other injectable treatments available in the market can work as botulinum toxin injections. Patients should consider alternatives, advantages, and disadvantages before choosing what’s right for their forehead wrinkles.

References

Bukhari, S. N. A., Roswandi, N. L., Waqas, M., Habib, H., Hussain, F., Khan, S., … & Hussain, Z. (2018). Hyaluronic Acid, A Promising Skin Rejuvenating Biomedicine: A Review Of Recent Updates A Nilforoushzadeh, M. A., Amirkhani, M. A., Zarrintaj, P., Salehi Moghaddam, A., Mehrabi, T., Alavi, S., &MollapourSisakht, M. (2018). Skin Care And Rejuvenation By Cosmeceutical Facial Mask. Journal Of Cosmetic Dermatology, 17(5), 693-702.

Funt, D., & Pavicic, T. (2013). Dermal Fillers In Aesthetics: An Overview Of Adverse Events And Treatment Approaches. Clinical, Cosmetic And Investigational Dermatology, 6, 295.

Kapoor, K. M., Saputra, D. I., Porter, C. E., Colucci, L., Stone, C., Brenninkmeijer, E. E. A., … &Bertossi, D. (2021). Treating Aging Changes Of Facial Anatomical Layers With Hyaluronic Acid Fillers. Clinical, Cosmetic And Investigational Dermatology, 14, 1105.

Kassir, M., Gupta, M., Galadari, H., Kroumpouzos, G., Katsambas, A., Lotti, T., … &Goldust, M. (2020). Complications Of Botulinum Toxin And Fillers: A Narrative Review. Journal Of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(3), 570-573.

Kim, B. J., Choi, J. H., & Lee, Y. (2015). Development Of Facial Rejuvenation Procedures: Thirty Years Of Clinical Experience With Facelifts. Archives Of Plastic Surgery, 42(05), 521-531.

Patrocinio, L. G., &Patrocinio, J. A. (2008). Forehead-Lift. Archives Of Facial Plastic Surgery.

Satriyasa, B. K. (2019). Botulinum Toxin (Botox) A For Reducing The Appearance Of Facial Wrinkles: A Literature Review Of Clinical Use And Pharmacological Aspect. Clinical, Cosmetic And Investigational Dermatology, 12, 223.

Small, R. (2014). Botulinum Toxin Injection For Facial Wrinkles. American Family Physician, 90(3), 168-175.

Yun, Y., Kim, S., Kim, M., Kim, K., Park, J. S., & Choi, I. (2013). Effect Of Facial Cosmetic Acupuncture On Facial Elasticity: An Open-Label, Single-Arm Pilot Study. Evidence-Based Complementary And Alternative Medicine: Ecam, 2013.

Tatyana Dyachenko
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