What to do about frown forehead lines that isn’t surgery? (I’m 40)

[Seasider6]

Is there anything you can do about frown lines? I seem to be ageing in a way that makes me look quite scowly! Would prefer laughter lines!

I don’t want surgery / Botox, but perhaps that’s all that can be done?

Why not try botox and see what you think, it really is the only thing that works and really quickly.

Tretinoin is brilliant at staving off wrinkles.

Thought I’d add a very non-flattering pic of my forehead

Oof the thumbnail of that looks very weird! But I think you can see what I mean.

I am googling Tretinoin, thanks timetest!

I’m a bit reluctant to get Botox, annette, I would rather try other stuff or just get used to it somehow. I don’t know!

They don't look too bad! I found retinol reduced my frown lines and the vertical ones between my eyebrows too. It also helped with a few pigmentation spots. (If you haven't used it before, start low dose a few times a week and where sunblock during the day).

They are really only very fine lines. Botox would sort them out completely.

Maybe a silly question as I haven’t looked into Botox - but does having it stop lines from getting worse? As the lines are then “frozen”?

Have a fringe that's what I do!

That’s great to know about retinol, quirky! Don’t even know where to start with retinol or Tretinoin brands!

pesky I have been considering exactly that!

Look for someone who does Fascial Facials. They are brilliant - likes a natural face lift plus you get a face massage! (It is basically a face massage that unsticks wrinkles.) I’m biased because I do them but they work! One makes a difference - 6 makes a big difference!

I'd try retinol first. People who I know who have had botox in their forehead either have a very big shiney forehead that doesn't move at all, or one that has rolls instead of wrinkles if that makes sense? It doesn't look great anyway.

Also your forehead looks good for being 40!

@Seasider6

Also to add, I've just started looking into retinol, one of my colleagues is in her mid 50s and has amazing skin, she said her secret is retinol. I think tretinoin is a type of retinol, it's all very confusing to start with though!

I used tret for a solid 2 years in an attempt to improve my forehead lines. It did, but only marginally (and it did really improve my skin overall). After 2 years I had to admit defeat on the lines, though, and get the botox. It is the best thing I ever did for myself. My therapist has a light touch and you can still see my lines very faintly when it's done. I could get it topped up to completely eradicate them, but I prefer the light touch as I think I look very natural. Get the botox, or learn to live with the lines.

Cut in a fringe.

No trying to put you off op, you do what you want to, but honestly there’s nothing wrong with your forehead, it’s really not lined at all

I'm a bit older than you, 49. I started retinol a few years ago and started with La Roche-Posay, because it had good reviews and is only 0.3% retinol (I think). I used it after cleansing at night a couple of times a week to start. I think it's quite pricey, but it lasted months. You need to use sunblock if you use retinol, as it makes your skin sensitive. I did see quite a difference quite quickly on forehead lines. I increased it slowly to every night, over time I have increased the retinol from The Ordinary 0.5% and then 1%. Some people are sensitive to retinol and use a retinoid, I think, which is gentler. I didn't have any issues with sensitive skin, though.

Botox 100%
But you should be using retinol longterm too.

This is pretty much what Botox is for but you could try retinol too.

And yes Botox does stop lines getting worse.

And the doctor who does my Botox insists that there is absolutely no point using any sort of product or having any sort of intervention if you don’t back them up with Factor 50mDPF every day of the year.

I miss my Botox. I haven’t had any since November and I look the worse for it.

Yy to sunblock, at least factor 50. The retinol made the forehead lines much better for me but it still looks natural.

Botox really is the only thing for frown lines. You would only need a small amount and wouldn't look frozen if that's not the look you wanted. Find a good Injector and have a consultation first.
I agree though, good skincare regime including retinol is a must

Mine are better for wearing sunglasses and getting contact lenses, less squinting!