How to Reduce the Appearance of Forehead Wrinkles in the Months Leading Up to the Wedding

Wrinkles are completely natural and normal, and if you’re lucky enough to grow old and gray, you can expect to have some fine lines as you continue to age. However, we understand that forehead wrinkles can make some women feel a bit self-conscious about their appearance, especially if they're gearing up to walk down the aisle.

According to dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler, "Forehead wrinkles are usually formed by overuse of muscles from the forehead in between the eyebrows." And while wrinkles don't impact your beauty in any way, for those who'd prefer to lessen these pesky fine lines, there are a handful of dermatologist-approved methods to combat their appearances before saying "I do." Interested in learning more?

Ahead, we unpack the reasons why forehead wrinkles can form at any age, while providing you with several effective ways to reduce all fine lines. Following the expert advice of Dr. Wechsler, here's how to get rid of wrinkles on your forehead, so that you can feel your very best on your wedding day.

The Science Behind Forehand Wrinkles

Dr. Wechsler notes that there are two muscles responsible for forehead wrinkles. "The procerus and corrugator muscles bring down the eyebrows that people use when they're furrowing, frowning, pensive, and squinting,” she says. “The frontalis muscles are the ones that are responsible for elevating or raising up the eyebrows.”

What's more, since most people consistently both muscles to express emotions (they are even used when eating and talking), after a while, these repeated movements cause the underlying muscles to deepen, leading to forehead wrinkles. 

As far as timing is concerned, forehead wrinkles can develop at any age. “There are some people that are just very expressive who have been overusing their eyebrows since they were little kids,” says Dr. Wechsler. “They might already have lines on their forehead when they're at rest [in their early 20s].” However, fine lines do get worse as you get older due to the decline of collagen production, which causes the skin to lose elasticity.

How to Get Rid of Forehead Wrinkles Before the Wedding 

There’s a difference between having forehead wrinkles when you raise your eyebrows or squint (which most people have) and having forehead wrinkles at rest, which are present when your face is completely relaxed. “If someone has lines at rest on their forehead, it's very hard to get rid of them at home,” says Dr. Wechsler. “I would say it's usually not possible.” Thus, pay attention to how your fine lines look, as that will help you determine the best approach to reduce their appearance, as highlighted below.

In-Office Procedures

For forehead wrinkles at rest, Dr. Wechsler uses low doses of injectable neuromodulators like Botox in her practice. (Other common brands also include Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin.) “Low doses of molecules like Botox injected in just the right places make a huge difference,” she says. “It’s also important to wear sunscreen to prevent more sun damage which can make wrinkles worse.”

If you’re curious about using Botox or a Botox alternative to address your forehead wrinkles, Dr. Wechsler suggests seeing your dermatologist for a consultation five to six months before the wedding. “If someone's doing Botox for the first time, we can't always predict the way it kicks in,” she explains. “I don't freeze anybody's forehead; I partially relax the muscles, and when you're partially relaxing a muscle, another part of the muscle could pull.”

Additionally, you'll need to plan your Botox in advance because Dr. Wechsler always includes a touch-up in her treatments, as that gives her the chance to fix any asymmetry and helps her ensure that the patient is completely satisfied. If there’s enough time, she might also suggest doing another treatment six weeks before the wedding. “That way, we all know what to expect and [the bride] isn’t surprised,” says Dr. Wechsler. “It's much more relaxing to do it that way if we have time.”

At-Home Methods

If your fine lines are not at rest, or you're simply not ready to take the Botox plunge, there are still plenty of ways to lessen the appearance of forehead wrinkles. For starters, adding retinol to your skincare routine is a huge game-changer. Multiple studies have shown that retinol significantly improves the appearance of wrinkles after 12 weeks of regular use. It also increases skin cell production, unclogs pores, and increases collagen production—all of which can help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles over time.

For an instant smoothing effect, though, Dr. Wechsler suggests wearing forehead wrinkle patches (like these from Wrinkles Schminkles) overnight to help hold moisture at the surface of the skin and soften the appearance of fine lines. What's more, Dr. Wechsler also urges her patients to moisturize their skin. “It sounds silly, but dry skin appears more wrinkly, so having a good skincare routine that includes a good moisturizer is always a good idea.” Apply moisturizer in the mornings, evenings and before wearing makeup to hydrate and plump the skin.  

Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of sleep when it comes to minimizing fine lines. Another important tip? Reduce your alcohol intake. This not only improves the quality of your sleep but also prevents dehydration, which can exacerbate forehead wrinkles. “We heal in our sleep and we make collagen in our sleep. I always tell my brides not to drink any alcohol the week before the wedding, and try to sleep seven and a half to eight hours a night. Everyone always thanks me after,” shares Dr. Wechsler.