forehead wrinkles
What are forehead wrinkles ?
Forehead wrinkles are horizontal lines on the forehead.
Initially, they are only dynamic, appearing when the eyebrows are raised: these are expression lines.
Over time, the skin breaks down and these wrinkles become static, appearing even when the skin is at rest: these are static wrinkles.
These wrinkles are responsible for a tired, worried and ageing face, hence the aesthetic and social demand (impact on professional activity). Forehead wrinkles are treated with botox injections. A natural, lively result depends on the skill of the doctor, who must target the indications carefully and maintain the mobility of the area.
Why do forehead wrinkles appear ?
Forehead wrinkles are caused by the action of the forehead muscle. In the face, the muscles are glued to the skin. As we make expressions, the muscles (the right and left forehead muscles) become increasingly powerful and pull the skin as the eyebrows move upwards. These are known as expression lines.
The skin, stressed by these movements and weakened by the reduction in hyaluronic acid and collagen levels that inevitably occurs over time, becomes damaged and static wrinkles (wrinkles present when the skin is at rest) appear, known as rest wrinkles.
The age at which they appear varies and depends on the basic muscle tone, which is genetically determined, and the expressiveness of the individual. This explains why these wrinkles can be visible before the age of 18.
→ Find out more about expression wrinkles
Stages of severity of forehead wrinkles
The medical profession identifies five stages of severity for this type of wrinkle:
♦ Stage 0: no wrinkles
♦ Stage 1: superficial wrinkles.
♦ Stage 2: slight wrinkles.
♦ Stage 3: moderate wrinkles.
♦ Stage 4: deep wrinkles.
Intervening quickly with aesthetic medicine treatments is important in order to prevent the stage from worsening.
But at what age should you start treating forehead wrinkles? The age varies from person to person. We recommend starting as soon as the first static wrinkles (wrinkles at rest) appear.
Preventing forehead wrinkles : facial gymnastics
More and more women are turning to facial gymnastics to reduce wrinkles and slow their progression.
The anti-wrinkle forehead massage consists of placing three fingers on the eyebrows, pulling them downwards and raising the eyebrows at the same time.
This should be done ten times a day for five seconds.
Creams don’t erase wrinkles, they only keep the skin moisturised.
Treatments for forehead wrinkles
The leading technique for treating forehead wrinkles is botulinum toxin injection.
Hyaluronic acid injections may also be used, but the indications are limited and the results are slight.
Botox injections to remove forehead wrinkles
Botox injections block the action of the forehead muscle. The forehead muscle extends from the base of the skull to the eye sockets. For the treatment of forehead wrinkles, only the anterior part is targeted, from the edge of the scalp to the eyebrows.
The doctor’s technique and expertise are crucial to achieving a natural, attractive result. The number of points injected, the units used for each point and the position of each point make all the difference between one practitioner and another. Frozen brows and drooping eyebrows are avoided; the aim is to keep the look lively and open up the eyes.
Of course, if the patient wishes, complete blocking is possible.
The injection does not last long, one minute. A slight warming sensation is felt.
I always recommend combining this injection with one for frown lines and crow’s feet (the reason for this is explained at the end of the page).
The result is progressive, visible from the second day and definitive after seven days. A check-up one to three weeks later is scheduled for a free touch-up. The result lasts five to six months.
→ Find out more about botox injections
→ Find out more about hyaluronic acid
Filling forehead wrinkles with injections of hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid improves forehead wrinkles in certain indications.
There are two ways to treat this unsightly feature:
♦ Injecting the wrinkle. A hyaluronic acid, with very fine particles, is used and injected with a cannula. The product is placed very superficially in small quantities all along the wrinkle. It is not possible to make the wrinkle disappear, as this would lead to the creation of small visible balls of product. The result only lasts a few months because of the persistent contraction of the forehead muscle, which wears out the product. To increase its duration, we recommend combining it with botulinum toxin injections.
♦ The injection for filling hollows or for the bulging appearance of the forehead (find out more about forehead plump up). A hyaluronic acid with very firm, volumising particles is used and injected with a cannula. The product is placed between the muscle and the bone. The increase in volume stretches the wrinkles. The results last around two years. We always recommend botox injections, as the forehead muscle continues to contract, aggravating wrinkles.
The treatment of forehead wrinkles must always be accompanied by the treatment of frown lines and crow’s feet wrinkles
The treatment of forehead wrinkles should always be accompanied by the treatment of frown lines and crow’s feet.
At eyebrow level there is a muscular balance:
♦ Two muscles pull it downwards: the corrugator muscle responsible for frown lines and the orbicularis eyelidis muscle responsible for crow’s feet wrinkles.
♦ A single muscle lifts it: the forehead muscle responsible for forehead wrinkles.
Botox blocks or weakens the action of a muscle. If the single lift muscle is blocked, without blocking the two depressors, it is obvious that the eyebrow will fall.
Results
The result of botox injection is progressive, visible after two days and definitive on the seventh day. The patient is seen again seven to ten days later for a free touch-up.
The result must be natural, unless the patient requests otherwise. Mobility must be maintained: the eyebrows must be able to move upwards.
It is essential to prevent the eyebrows from drooping; on the contrary, the eyes must be opened up, which brightens up the face.
Triangle-shaped eyebrow lift (the Mephisto) can sometimes occur and is due to individual hyperactivity of the outer part of the forehead muscle. They are not really predictable at the time of the initial injection, and are therefore possible, but they will be corrected at the time of the touch-up.
The result of the hyaluronic acid injection is immediate. Slight short-term oedema is common.
If an injection is used to bulge the forehead or correct a hollow, the result lasts for around two years.
If the injection targets wrinkles, the result lasts a few months.
Prices
Type of consultation
Prices
Botox
For women 1 zone: 300 CHF, two zones: 450 CHF, three zones 600 CHF
For men 1 zone: 350 CHF, two zones: 500 CHF, three zones 650 CHF
Hyaluronic acid
600 CHF per syringe