When looking up, horizontal lines often appear on the forehead, usually in the form of 3 to 6 lines or even more. These lines are commonly referred to as forehead wrinkles, as they tend to appear when one raises their forehead. But how are these wrinkles formed?
Normal aging of the skin
In older individuals, the appearance of forehead wrinkles is often attributed to the natural aging process. As skin cell differentiation slows down with age, the skin undergoes normal aging and forehead wrinkles form. Typically, the shrinkage of subcutaneous fat cells and the loosening and sagging of skin tissues contribute to the development of permanent wrinkles.
Decline in muscle function
A decline or imbalance in muscle function can also lead to the appearance of forehead wrinkles. For instance, individuals with congenital ptosis of the upper eyelids may have more prominent forehead wrinkles due to excessive development of the frontal muscles. In such cases, the weak levator muscle of the upper eyelid forces the individual to use their forehead muscles to open their eyes, eventually resulting in forehead wrinkles.
Facial expressions
Excessive facial expressions, such as frequently furrowing the brows or squinting, can contribute to the formation of forehead wrinkles. Additionally, habitual frowning or raising of the eyebrows can also lead to the development of forehead wrinkles.
Excessive leanness
Individuals who are excessively lean tend to have less subcutaneous fat, making their skin more prone to problems such as dryness, concavity, peeling, and roughness. In comparison, individuals with fuller figures are more likely to develop body wrinkles, including forehead wrinkles. Furthermore, a lack of nutrition or rapid weight loss can also contribute to the appearance of forehead wrinkles.
Lack of facial sun protection
Neglecting to protect the facial skin from the sun can cause the skin to become dry, lose elasticity, and accelerate aging. This is because under UV radiation, the skin's moisture evaporates rapidly, leading to the formation of forehead wrinkles.
Unhealthy lifestyle habits
Unhealthy lifestyle habits can also cause premature appearance of forehead wrinkles. For example, frequently touching the forehead with hands, smoking and drinking excessively, or using low-quality cosmetics can all accelerate skin aging and contribute to the formation of forehead wrinkles.