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One thing you can always count on in life is the continuous passage of time. Each day you get a little bit older, though you may not start to feel it until you hit your 40s or 50s.
By the time you really start to feel old, you may already look the part.
As you get older, your skin becomes thinner and it may not look as smooth and supple as it once did.
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Collagen production slows with age and gravity does its part to cause your skin to wrinkle and sag. Maybe you notice more lines around your eyes and you're looking for ways of how to get rid of under eye wrinkles.
Once these changes start to happen, it’s like a snowball gathering speed down a steep slope — they only get worse.
Before you know it, you’ve developed crow’s feet, smile lines and deep wrinkles between your eyebrows. One day you're looking up eye wrinkle treatments and wondering where your baby face skin went.
Aging is an inevitable part of life, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit back and accept these unwanted changes to your skin.
Below, we’ve explored the subject of deep wrinkles between the eyebrows, including what causes them and how to get rid of them.
The skin on your forehead above your nose and between your eyebrows is called the “glabella,” so deep wrinkles in this area are often referred to as “glabellar lines.”
Glabellar lines differ from frown lines in that they run horizontally rather than vertically. Frown lines typically form between the eyes while glabellar lines develop above the eyebrows and run horizontally across the forehead.
A number of factors contribute to the formation of deep forehead wrinkles including aging, genetics, repeated facial expressions, stress, smoking and sun damage.
Deep wrinkles are difficult to treat because, as you get older, the skin loses its elasticity — the natural bounce-back quality that comes from high levels of collagen and elastin in the skin. As you age, your skin will produce less collagen each year.
Skincare techniques such as exfoliating and moisturizing can delay the development and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Cosmetic procedures and topical treatments may also help reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles.
Wrinkles are a natural consequence of aging. They typically start as fine lines — small, thin wrinkles that develop on the face — but deepen into visible indentations over time.
Though wrinkles are a byproduct of the natural aging process, there are several factors which can contribute to and speed up their development:
Genetics. Your DNA determines your skin type which could impact how well your skin holds up against the natural aging process. Dry skin, for example, tends to show the visible signs of aging more clearly than normal or even oily skin.
Repeated Facial Expressions. Certain facial expressions — like frowning, smiling or squinting — cause your skin to wrinkle. When you’re young, your skin bounces back quickly. But as you get older and your skin loses its elasticity, these expressions can leave fine lines that deepen into wrinkles over time.
Stress. It’s no secret that stress can wreak havoc on your health, but it can also affect your skin. Manifestations of stress such as repeatedly furrowing your brow can exacerbate the formation of wrinkles on the forehead. Plus, stress can increase cortisol levels which may speed up the aging process.
Smoking. Tobacco use contributes to wrinkle formation in a number of ways. The physical act of smoking involves repeated facial movements such as pursing the lips. Nicotine has a vasoconstrictive effect, causing the blood vessels to narrow which reduces oxygen supply to the skin. Research suggests smoking may also reduce the production of collagen.
Sun Damage. Unprotected exposure to UV rays can damage your skin and increase the visible signs of premature aging such as wrinkles, not to mention your risk for skin cancer.
Dealing with deep wrinkles can be frustrating. Luckily, they are treatable!
From at-home skin care techniques and over-the-counter products, to cosmetic procedures and prescription remedies, there are a variety of science-backed treatments available to help you get rid of deep wrinkles between your eyebrows.
Your best defense against skin issues is a basic skin care routine carried out consistently.
Daily cleansing helps remove dead skin cells, sebum, dirt, sweat and other impurities from the surface of the skin.
Exfoliation helps remove the top layer of skin and triggers cell renewal to keep your skin looking young and fresh.
Finally, moisturization is the key to keep your skin hydrated so any fine lines or wrinkles you do have look less pronounced.
One of the most effective treatments for fine lines and deep wrinkles is a topical retinoid called tretinoin.
Tretinoin is generally sold as a cream, gel or solution, and it works by speeding up the skin cell turnover process.
In other words, it helps your skin make new cells more quickly.
Though research on tretinoin specifically for the treatment of forehead wrinkles is limited, several studies show that regular use is linked to a reduction in facial wrinkles.
For example, a 2004 study tested the effects of tretinoin on aged skin over a four-week treatment period.
The majority of participants in the study experienced an improvement in fine lines and skin texture.
A more extreme version of at-home exfoliation, chemical peeling is a technique that involves removing the outermost layer of skin using a chemical solution.
Removing the outer layer of skin enables new skin to grow in its place and may reveal a smoother texture with fewer visible wrinkles.
These peels vary in depth, though the deeper the peel the more dramatic and noticeable the results are likely to be.
This professional skin treatment involves using a roller covered in tiny needles to create microscopic punctures in the skin.
These micro-injuries stimulate collagen production, which may help improve the tone and texture of your skin over time.
The treatment generally only takes 15 to 20 minutes and can be repeated as often as every three weeks. Full results may not be visible until three to six months following the treatment.
This procedure involves removing the outermost layer of skin with a surgical laser and it can help reduce the visible signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
Laser skin resurfacing is fairly expensive, between $1,200 and $2,000 per treatment and you may experience redness, swelling or itching for up to a week afterward.
Injectable fillers like Botox® work by weakening or paralyzing the facial muscles affected by wrinkles. Though Botox is an effective treatment for deep wrinkles, it requires ongoing maintenance for sustained results.
It can also be expensive — priced between $300 and $600 per treatment area.
Dermal fillers are another option to get rid of deep forehead wrinkles.
Similar to Botox, they are injected into specific areas of skin and may need to be repeated every few months to sustain the results.
They are similarly priced to Botox, as well.
If you’re looking for a non-invasive option to get rid of deep wrinkles between your eyebrows, you may come across silicone pads.
These are simply reusable pads made of silicone gel that can be placed on the forehead, checks or neck and under the eyes.
Several studies suggest topical silicone gel may help reduce the appearance of hypertrophic scars and keloids, though only anecdotal evidence is available to support their use in reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
When it comes to deep wrinkles, the best solution is not to get them in the first place. Even if you’re able to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, you may not be able to eliminate them entirely once they form.
You can, however, take steps to keep them from getting worse.
Keeping your body hydrated and eating a healthy, balanced diet is key. Consume plenty of fresh fruits and veggies to get your daily dose of antioxidants and don’t neglect essential fatty acids like those found in nuts, seeds and fatty fish.
It’s also important to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Poor sleep has been linked to dry skin and, as you know, dry skin can increase the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Always wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from sun damage and make an effort to minimize sun exposure when the UV index is at its highest.
If you’re not sure how best to treat your wrinkles, talk to your dermatologist or healthcare provider. You can even complete an online consultation to get customized skincare advice.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Kristin Hall is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with decades of experience in clinical practice and leadership.
She has an extensive background in Family Medicine as both a front-line healthcare provider and clinical leader through her work as a primary care provider, retail health clinician and as Principal Investigator with the NIH.
Certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, she brings her expertise in Family Medicine into your home by helping people improve their health and actively participate in their own healthcare.
Kristin is a St. Louis native and earned her master’s degree in Nursing from St. Louis University, and is also a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. You can find Kristin on LinkedIn for more information.