How to Get Rid of Forehead Wrinkles, According to Dermatologists

February 12, 2025

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How to Get Rid of Forehead Wrinkles, According to Dermatologists

Coppola continues saying that, essentially, when we’re young our skin has robust collagen and elastin fibrils with a rich and healthy extracellular matrix. This means that when dynamic folds and wrinkles form on youthful skin (say, from expression lines or raised eyebrows), the forehead will look smooth again at rest. “However, as [we] get older, this is not often the case. Due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors, our skin loses its elasticity, plumpness, and rebound and has less ‘give,’ therefore we can develop fine lines and wrinkles at rest”—even when we are not making an expression. Per Coppola, there are an array of changes that could cause this, from the normal physiologic process of aging (think decreased collagen and elastin production) to UV exposure, pollutants, oxidative stress, and lifestyle. Keep in mind, though, that genetics can play a role in the look of wrinkles. “Some people who are very expressive and have family members with deep wrinkles may start to show wrinkles earlier than others who are not as expressive or do not have a significant family history of deep wrinkles,” explains board-certified dermatologist and owner of Sperling Dermatology Dr. Shari Sperling. “Those with a lot of solar damage from prolonged sun exposure over the years will also tend to show wrinkles at an earlier age.”

Though our experts cite the likes of Morpheus8 microneedling treatments, wrinkle relaxer treatments, and lasers as in-office solutions, they also emphasize that wrinkle prevention starts with your daily skin care routine. “Taking care of your skin with topicals like vitamin C, antioxidants, retinol, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and growth factors can help maintain a youthful appearance,” Sperling notes. Ahead, a deeper dive into the five major steps one can take to get rid of forehead wrinkles—from in-office treatments to light therapy devices.

Preventative Care

Per Sanan, “Protecting the skin from environmental damage is the foundation of any anti-aging regimen. Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen, maintaining proper hydration, and avoiding smoking or excessive sun exposure help preserve collagen and elastin.” On the sun exposure front, experts generally recommend at least an SPF 30 or higher year-round. Test out a few of Vogue’s favorite sunscreens for face; or, the best Korean sunscreens of 2025.

La Roche-Posay

Anthelios Sunscreen SPF 60

Neutrogena

Invisible Daily Defense Sunscreen SPF 60+

Beauty of Joseon

Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50

A Smart Skincare Regimen

Turns out, your skin-care routine actually does help staving off (and diminishing!) forehead wrinkles. “At the minimum, you want your at-home treatment to include an antioxidant serum, an anti-aging moisturizer, a retinol or retinoid (if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding), and a good quality sunscreen,” Dr. Coppola explains. “Formulations that include hyaluronic acid, growth factors, proprietary peptides, vitamin C and vitamin E, ceramides, and lipids are good ingredients to look for.” Dr. Coppola adds that formulations that include alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic) and beta hydroxy acids (salicylic) can also work to increase collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Dr. Sanan furthers this, citing hyaluronic acid as a key component for hydration, helping to plump fine lines and restore suppleness; whereas, Dr. Tripathi nods to ingredients like argiriline, matrixyl3000 that “act as the closest ‘topical toxin.’”

Neocutis Bio Serum Firm Rejuvenating Growth Factor and Peptide Treatment

One of Coppola’s favorite solutions for forehead wrinkles is this Neocutis treatment. “It is a truly high-grade medical quality skin care product that [consists] of a proprietary mix of human growth factors and peptides that are delivered through nanosphere technology that allows for greater absorption with smaller molecules,” she says, noting that you can actually feel it tightening the skin. “It works to boost elasticity through elastin formation and boost collagen type one and type three with hyaluronic acid.”

Revision Skincare Revox 7

Per Sperling, Revision Skincare’s Revox 7 can be compared to “botox in a bottle.” Through seven types of peptides, glycerin, AHAs, and arnica, this oil-free serum aims to firm expression lines around the eyes, forehead, and mouth. What’s more, this can also treat neck wrinkles.

Alastin Restorative Skin Complex

Coppola also has a penchant for the Alastin Restorative Skin Complex for its medical-grade formulation powered by its patented TriHex peptide technology. “[This technology] works in multiple ways to both clear out the extracellular matrix of damaged collagen and elastin debris, and [simultaneously] works to stimulate the regeneration of collagen and elastin to replace the damaged bundles with healthy ones.” The result? Improved elasticity, toning, and radiance.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream

The restorative benefits of retinol almost go without saying these days, but what product would Sperling select? The dermatologist recommends Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair, which combines retinol and hyaluronic acid to rejuvenate skin overnight.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic With 15% L-Ascorbic Acid

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is Vogue Verified for a reason. Often considered the gold standard vitamin C serum, this utilizes a blend of l-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, and vitamin E to address concerns like sagging, dullness, and pigmentation. “These ingredients in C E Ferulic work together to decrease the damage to the cells to slow down this aging process and decrease fine lines and wrinkles,” as previously explained by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Vicki Rapaport.

Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Rapid Firm + Lift Treatment Serum

These days, Coppola is particularly interested in the neurotransmitter peptide argireline, which has been getting more and more attention lately. Otherwise known as acetyl hexapeptide-3 or acetyl hexapeptide-8, the peptide “has been shown to potentially reduce the formation of lines and wrinkles by limiting the ability of neurotransmitters at the neuromuscular junction as well as increasing collagen production.” Argireline can be found in Estée Lauder’s serum alongside AHAs to promote a plump, youthful complexion.

Isdin

Isdinceutics Melatonik Night Serum

“This night serum combines melatonin, bakuchiol, and vitamin C to repair oxidative stress, boost skin’s natural defenses, and stimulate collagen production, resulting in smoother, firmer skin,” says Dr. Sanan. One of the best serums for mature skin, this offers benefits beyond skin-smoothing. “It also works proactively to restore skin vitality, elasticity, texture, and tone by stimulating collagen and elastin production,” dermatologist Dr. Deanne Mraz previously tells Vogue.

Peter Thomas Roth

Peptide Skinjection Amflified Wrinkle-Fix

Dr. Tripathi recommends a peptide-rich serum like Peter Thomas Roth’s Peptide Skinjection Amflified Wrinkle-Fix. “These have peptides that have been shown to lengthen the life of neurotoxin,” he says. The silky serum pairs the ingredient with matrixyl, argieline, and hyaluronic acid to mimic the effects of your neuromodulators—essentially helping freeze fine lines and smoothing wrinkles with consistent use.

Neuromodulators

“For dynamic forehead wrinkles caused by repetitive muscle movements, neuromodulators are the most effective treatment,” Dr. Sanan details. “By temporarily relaxing the muscles, these treatments smooth existing wrinkles and prevent further deepening, delivering a refreshed yet natural look.” He and Dr. Tripathi agree that neuromodulators like Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Daxxify administered via an in-office treatment are incredibly useful—especially for more intensive results.

Collagen Stimulation

Collagen stimulation essentially helps spur skin’s natural regeneration process. Vital to skin’s elasticity and internal structure, the more collagen you have, the firmer and bouncier skin appears (which is part of the reason we’re seeing the rise of collagen ingestibles and supplements or inclusion in skincare). However, our experts emphasize that devices and treatments are the best way to go. “Techniques like fractional laser resurfacing, microneedling with PRP, or radiofrequency treatments enhance collagen production, improving skin elasticity and reducing static lines,” Dr. Sanan says. “These treatments work at a cellular level to rejuvenate and strengthen the skin.”

At-Home Devices

“Any product that has anti-aging benefits is helpful in the fight against the development of forehead wrinkles,” Coppola says, emphasizing that, while they may yet be scientifically proven for wrinkle-reduction, “these at-home treatments can be valuable tools in our armamentarium of antiaging.”

Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand with Red Light Therapy

Of this year’s best beauty tools, the Solawave wand is often a topic of discussion; perhaps because its portable design makes it simple to treat concerns conveniently and effectively. Through red light therapy, facial massage, microcurrent, and therapeutic warmth, the wand helps smooth fine lines, reduce puffiness, and diminish dark spots with consistent use.

LED Light Therapy Face Mask: Series 2

“Red light therapy has been shown to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles,” Sperling says, and Coppola echoes this: “Studies have shown that red light therapy may improve the overall health of skin by helping to reduce oxidative stress and photoaging.” One such red light therapy device is Currentbody’s FDA-cleared mask which rejuvenates skin concerns from sagging and breakouts to pigmentation and inflammation. “By emitting specific wavelengths of light, these devices stimulate collagen production, enhance skin texture, and reduce fine lines over time,” Sanan adds.

NuFace Trinity+ Smart Advanced Facial Toning Device System

Per Coppola, microcurrent “works to stimulate the cells to allow them to work more efficiently, thereby theoretically helping to tighten muscles in the area and stimulate collagen and elastin.” Keep in mind that you want to be sure the device has been FDA-cleared and is safe for at-home use. That said, the NuFace Trinity reigns supreme in the world of microcurrent gadgets. Vogue editors love that it leaves skin looking taut and sculpted in a matter of minutes.

Lanshin

Pro Gua Sha Jade Face Massager

“[Gua sha stones] promote blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, which can temporarily reduce puffiness and smoothen the skin,” says Dr. Sanan. Lanshin’s is an editor-favorite. Crafted from nephrite jade, it features five different zones to massage, lift, and sculpt various areas of the face with precision.

What causes forehead wrinkles?

“Horizontal forehead wrinkles are generally caused by repetitive contraction of the expression muscles but are also made worse by sun damage and genetics” says Tripathi. The repetitive activity of raising the eyebrows or frowning, coupled with the declined skin elasticity as one ages, results in increased forehead lines. “Over time, the skin’s collagen and elastin fibers weaken, and external factors like chronic sun exposure, environmental damage, and lifestyle habits such as stress or inadequate hydration exacerbate their formation,” says Dr. Sanan. “Genetics also play a significant role in determining the depth and onset of these lines.”

Is it possible to get rid of forehead wrinkles?

“While it’s not always possible to completely erase forehead wrinkles, their appearance can be significantly reduced,” Dr. Sanan says. “A combination of preventive care, skincare, and collagen stimulating treatments can smooth the skin and restore a youthful look.” However, it’s important to remember to stay consistent with whichever treatment you choose—per Dr. Tripathi, “as long as the muscle is moving, however, the lines will form and eventually etch into the skin.”