30 Sep How to Get Rid of Forehead Lines: Causes and Treatment in Singapore
Horizontal forehead lines form where the forehead skin folds each time the eyebrows lift. They can be softened, but the right approach depends on whether the lines appear only with movement, stay visible at rest, or are partly caused by the eyebrows or eyelids working harder than usual1,3.
What causes horizontal forehead lines?
The frontalis is the muscle that raises the eyebrows. Each time it contracts, the forehead skin folds into horizontal lines1. With years of movement, sun exposure and thinning skin, some of those lines stay visible when the forehead is relaxed4,5.
Forehead lines are one of several wrinkle types covered in wrinkle treatment in Singapore.
Our article on dynamic vs static wrinkles explains how to tell the two apart in the mirror.
Why forehead lines and heavy eyelids are assessed together
Some people lift their eyebrows all day without noticing, to hold a drooping upper eyelid or heavy brow out of their line of sight3. The forehead lines are then partly a sign of that effort.
Relaxing the forehead in this situation can make the brows and eyelids feel heavier. This is why eyelid position and brow height are examined before forehead lines are treated. Where the brow itself has dropped, our non-surgical brow lift page covers the assessment.
How to get rid of forehead lines naturally: what skincare can do
- Daily sunscreen: in a four-and-a-half-year randomised trial of 903 adults, daily sunscreen users showed 24 per cent less skin ageing than occasional users4.
- Prescription retinoid cream: tretinoin improved fine and coarse wrinkling in a two-year placebo-controlled trial of 204 adults6.
- Moisturisers and facial exercises: hydration makes fine lines look softer for a few hours. Exercises that work the forehead muscle do not reduce lines caused by that muscle.
Skincare works best on fine lines and on slowing further change. It does not stop the frontalis from folding the skin.
Botulinum toxin for forehead lines: what the evidence shows
Botulinum toxin reduces how strongly the frontalis contracts, so the skin folds less when the brows lift2.
- A review of two pivotal phase 3 trials found significantly more people with improved forehead lines at day 30 than with placebo. The results held across three treatment cycles7.
- In those trials the forehead was treated together with the frown-line muscles between the brows. The incidence of eyebrow and eyelid drooping was low7.
A natural result keeps some forehead movement. Treating the forehead too strongly, or without balancing the muscles that pull the brows down, can flatten or lower the brows.
Side effects of forehead line treatment
A meta-analysis of 24 studies covering 4,268 treatment sessions to the forehead and between the brows reported an overall complication rate of 16 per cent. Most complications were mild and temporary, most often headache, local skin reactions and effects on nearby muscles8. The effects to discuss before treatment are:
- brow heaviness or a lowered brow
- uneven brows or a raised outer brow
- drooping of the upper eyelid, which needs prompt review3
Other treatments for deep forehead lines
Lines that stay deep at rest may also need treatment aimed at the skin:
- chemical peels for surface texture9
- skin boosters for skin quality
- RF microneedling for texture
These can be combined with movement-directed treatment in a planned sequence.
Forehead line assessment at The Skin Longevity Clinic
Dr Rachel Ho examines the forehead at rest and when the brows lift, brow height, eyelid position and skin quality. The plan then states which lines are being treated, what movement will be kept and when it will be reviewed.
For the other upper-face lines, see our guides to crow’s feet and to forehead lines, frown lines and crow’s feet. You can arrange an assessment at Scotts Medical Center, 9 Scotts Road.
Frequently asked questions about forehead lines
Why do I have forehead lines in my twenties?
Frequent brow lifting, strong expressions and sun exposure can create early forehead lines. Heavy eyelids that make you lift your brows are also a cause worth checking3.
Can forehead lines be removed completely?
Lines that appear only with movement can soften substantially. Deep lines that stay visible at rest usually improve rather than disappear, and may need skin-directed treatment as well1.
How long does forehead line treatment last?
The effect of botulinum toxin commonly lasts around three to four months2. See how long botulinum toxin lasts.
References
- Small R. Botulinum toxin injection for facial wrinkles. Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(3):168–175. www.aafp.org
- Small R. Botulinum toxin procedures: a practical approach to cosmetic injections. Am Fam Physician. 2026;113(5):449–456. www.aafp.org
- Bacharach J, Lee WW, Harrison AR, Freddo TF. A review of acquired blepharoptosis. Eye. 2021;35:2468–2481. doi:10.1038/s41433-021-01547-5.
- Hughes MCB, Williams GM, Baker P, Green AC. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2013;158(11):781–790. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002. PMID 23732711.
- Coleman SR, Grover R. The anatomy of the aging face. Aesthet Surg J. 2006;26(1 Suppl):S4–S9. doi:10.1016/j.asj.2005.09.012.
- Kang S, Bergfeld W, Gottlieb AB, et al. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2005;6(4):245–253. doi:10.2165/00128071-200506040-00005. PMID 16060712.
- De Boulle K, Carruthers A, Solish N, et al. OnabotulinumtoxinA treatment for moderate to severe forehead lines: a review. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(3):e2669. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000002669. PMID 32537333.
- Zargaran D, Zoller F, Zargaran A, et al. Complications of cosmetic botulinum toxin A injections to the upper face: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aesthet Surg J. 2022;42(5):NP327–NP336. doi:10.1093/asj/sjac036. PMID 35178552.
- SingHealth. Chemical peels. www.singhealth.com.sg