How to Smooth the Lines on Your Forehead

There's just no denying that none of us are getting any younger - except maybe Demi Moore, who seems to be un-aging a la Benjamin Button before our very eyes. Unfortunately for the rest of us, Moore is not giving up her secrets (although they likely include a team of dermatological specialists and/or the long-fabled fountain of youth). In any case, plenty of people are looking to slow the progression of time in order to continue looking as young as they feel. Although an understanding of diet and exercise will go a long way towards keeping your body fit, your face will eventually give away the fact that you've been around a bit longer than you'd like to admit. Sun damage takes its toll, gravity pulls at your sagging skin, and before you know it you look in the mirror and see your parents looking back. And one of the worst indicators of age comes in the crinkles on your forehead. Luckily there are a few ways of minimizing these telltale lines. Here are a some tips and tricks to keep your forehead looking smoother longer.



The best defense is a good offense, so minimizing sun damage is a good place to start. UV rays will not only lead to burns and blotchiness; they can also increase the appearance of lines. So get yourself a good sunblock, start wearing hats, and basically keep the sun off your face as much as possible. Even if you already have wrinkles it's never too soon to start protecting your skin. This is especially true if you'll be undergoing expensive procedures to reverse whatever damage has already been done by the harmful rays of the sun.

If you're beyond the point of preventive measures it's time to attack the lines on your face head-on, so to speak. While you can certainly hide your forehead behind a concealing curtain of bangs, this tactic won't really solve your problem. And you may need to address an ongoing problem, like strong muscles in your forehead and a proclivity for furrowing your brow. You can definitely modify your behavior to frown less frequently, but if you want to fight your muscles you're going to need help from a little product called Botox. This injectable solution contains Botulinum toxin, which temporarily paralyzes muscles into which it is injected. So you couldn't wrinkle your forehead even if you wanted to. The upside is smoother skin; you'll need to talk to your doctor about potential downsides (although many users complain about looking "plastic" following treatments). Moderation may be the key to successful (and subtle) application here. Another options is a brow lift.

Of course, the anti-aging product marketplace is rife with non-invasive solutions, so don't think that Botox or cosmetic surgery are your only options. Anti-aging creams contain all kinds of ingredients, but the ones you'll want to seek out for wrinkle reduction include retinol (an antioxidant that fights free radicals to combat sun damage), hydroxy acids (which speed cell turnover and promote the growth of new skin), coenzyme Q10 (a cellular energy regulator that has proven effective at treating fine lines), and kinetin and copper peptides (thought to boost collagen production). And if you want to treat major sun damage, talk to your dermatologist about the many peels that could help to smooth your skin. The real trick is to start treatments as early as possible if you want to enjoy a smooth forehead and face for many years to come.

(Guest Post by Carol)