Wrinkles on your forehead are a sure sign of aging and, unfortunately, only get worse as you get older.
So, what can help? Botox!
Here we give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about anti-wrinkle injections treatment...
As you'd expect, forehead wrinkles and lines are the horizontal forehead lines that appear on your forehead. As they form as a result of facial expressions but can also become more prominent as a result of losing skin elasticity and volume in a process of skin ageing. They can be dynamic, meaning they can only be seen when you raise your eyebrows, or static; present even when your face is at rest. They can be shallow or deep and may appear on their own or in a cluster.
Forehead wrinkles are usually a common concern for women and men. They are caused by the repeated contraction of the Frontalis muscle, responsible for lifting eyebrows. They can also be caused by the repeated furrowing of the brow which contracts facial muscles, which causes permanent lines to form.
What Causes Forehead Lines?There are many factors that can contribute to forehead wrinkles. These include:
-
Excessive muscles use: if you are particularly expressive with your face, raising your eyebrows a lot, frowning or smiling, then you may start to see wrinkles developing early. The more active the frontalis muscle, the more prominent the appearance of forehead wrinkles
-
Age: as you age the skin on your face becomes thinner and loses its collagen and elasticity; this leads to fine frown lines and wrinkles
-
Sun exposure: a major contributor to the ageing face is too much sun; UVA rays damage the fibres that hold the skin together which, again, leads to lines and wrinkles
-
Genetics: unfortunately, some people are just more predisposed to particular ageing concerns than others
Can You Get Rid of Forehead Lines With Botox?
Absolutely!
Botox is a brand name for botulinum toxin – a highly effective injection that relaxes the muscles causing wrinkles and therefore gives you a smooth, natural-looking appearance. Other brands of licensed botulinum toxin available in the UK include Azzalure and Bocouture.
When Should You Start Getting Botox for Forehead Lines?
You can start anti-wrinkle treatment for your forehead wrinkles as soon as they start to appear! Some practitioners recommend getting it early to stop lines from becoming worse and requiring a higher dose of botulinum toxin later in life.
Be aware that if your wrinkles are particularly deep, botulinum toxin alone may not be effective.
A good practitioner will recommend other products or treatment modalities to try out.
The use of botulinum toxin for cosmetic reasons is illegal for those under 18.
Where Do They Inject Botox for Forehead Lines?
Botox injections to treat forehead wrinkles are placed in the frontalis muscle on the forehead.
Treatment targets the frontalis muscle and involves a number of small injections into the muscle. Your practitioner will inject at a few points along your forehead wrinkles. The total amount will depend on the severity of the wrinkles and size of your forehead. It's also important to note that the amount will vary, depending on which brand of botulinum toxin is used.
Botulinum toxin injections are quick (less than 30 minutes) and relatively painless. Some practitioners will numb the forehead beforehand, so you'll only feel a slight prick of the needle. You may have some slight redness and swelling immediately after treatment, which will calm down after a few hours.
You can discuss how much movement you want to retain in your forehead beforehand; some people like wrinkles to show a little when they raise their eyebrows, while others prefer a completely frozen look.
Results last three to six months, so you will need to invest in regular top-ups if you want ongoing smoothness.
How Much Does It Cost to Treat Forehead Lines With Botox?
It all depends on how experienced your practitioner is and where they are based. The amount of forehead wrinkles you have may also influence the cost of Botox. In general, botulinum toxin forehead treatment costs around £200-400.
To ensure you undergo safe treatment, always choose an experienced practitioner, even if they cost a little more!
Are There Side Effects to Botox Injections for Forehead Wrinkles and Frown Lines?
Side effects to Botox and other brands of botulinum toxin are rare, but can include:
-
Headaches
-
Swelling, bruising, redness, pain
-
Allergic reaction
-
Droopy eyelids
-
Dry eyes or mouth
The most dangerous complications are double vision and difficulty breathing, but these are thankfully extremely rare.
If you experience any side effects or complications, contact your practitioner immediately.
An experienced medical practitioner should be top of your list!
We highly recommend that you only undergo treatment with a medically-qualified professional, who will have undergone training in anatomy and physiology, as well as be accountable to a regulatory body such as the General Medical Council (GMC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), or General Dental Council (GDC).
They should also be able to advise you of the risks of injectable treatment and be confident in handling complications if they arise.
Author: Anna Kremerov
Mrs Anna Kremerov is an award-winning Nurse Practitioner known for Aesthetic Medicine and non-surgical procedures. She is the Founder of Anna Medical Aesthetics, the only CQC registered aesthetic medical practice in Swindon and a MaiLi Centre of Excellence for the South West of England.
Anna and her team have built up an impeccable reputation with over a hundred 5-star patient reviews on Google and Trustpilot.
Anna has over 22 years of combined medical experience in Intensive Care, Woman Health, Primary Care and Aesthetics Medicine.
To view more blogs by Anna Kremerov please click here.