What Causes Forehead Wrinkles?

Facial wrinkles are visible indicators of the normal aging process, and can be seen on the skin's surface in the form of faint lines, thin creases or deep grooves. On the forehead they can appear in horizontal lines in the area between the eyebrows and the hairline. Forehead wrinkles may also be visible as vertical frown lines between the eyebrows.

The principal cause of wrinkles is the loss of skin elasticity as a person grows older. As the body ages, skin cell division slows down, the dermis layer begins to thin and the fat cells beneath the dermis start to shrivel. As a result of the oil glands producing less water-lipid emulsions, the skin retains less moisture and becomes drier.

The collagen fibers, which provide structural support to the skin layers, elongate and loosen up. At the same time, the elastin protein in the connective tissue is damaged and the skin's elastic ability is affected. The skin is no longer able to repair itself and it sags and wrinkles appear.

Aside from normal aging, some people may have a genetic predisposition that brings on forehead wrinkles at an earlier age. Certain habitual expressions like frowning or raising the eyebrows may also contribute towards wrinkle formation. The muscle contractions that occur with habitual facial expressions can, over a long period of time, give rise to face wrinkle lines.

The lifestyle choices that people make are also often responsible for the development of forehead wrinkles. Smoking and alcohol consumption can interfere with the skin regeneration process, and unhealthy diets, irregular routines and stress can further exacerbate matters. Drastic slimming is another cause as the rapid weight loss equates to a rapid loss of fat cells in the skin.

Environmental factors like over-exposure to the sun and pollution also harm the skin and cause premature aging. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun damages the collagen and elastin proteins, and ozone pollutants diminish the amount of Vitamin E antioxidant in the skin. In response, the body produces metalloproteinase enzymes to repair the skin damage. Continual repairs of this sort, however, leave the skin vulnerable to the formation of forehead wrinkles.

Reducing exposure to weather elements and using sunscreen can help to some extent. Nourishing skin moisturizers and a healthy lifestyle regimen can help too in keeping forehead wrinkles at bay. Alternatives procedures like Botox® treatment and plastic surgery are also sometimes used for treating face wrinkles.