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How to Prevent Stress Lines and Wrinkles, According to Experts 2022

I don't know about you, but I have ~mixed feels~ about the wrinkles on my face. Smile lines? Love 'em. Crow's feet? So cute! The “11” lines between my eyebrows, and the deep forehead wrinkles earned from years of worrying and anxiety? Mmm, yeah, I could definitely do without those stress lines, tyvm. I'd rather my face be etched with happy reminders of my post-pandemic moments, not the stressful chaos during it. But alas, I cannot control my DNA.

And though fine lines, wrinkles, and aging itself are all normal (and v privileged) things, I personally like to pick and choose the creases on my face—which is why I chatted with board-certified dermatologists Samer Jaber, MD, and Michele Green, MD, about all things stress lines and how to minimize them. Keep reading for everything you've wanted to know about your worry wrinkles, including the best treatment and prevention tips, below.

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What causes stress lines?

Stress lines (and wrinkles in general) are usually the result of multiple skin-aging factors, specifically known as intrinsic and extrinsic factors, says Dr. Jaber. Intrinsic causes of aging are due to the body's natural aging process, because as we get older, our body produces less collagen and elastin. Extrinsic causes of aging, on the other hand, are external to the body, like sun exposure, smoking, or chronic stress. You can't control the intrinsic, but the extrinsic (ahem, stress)? That's why we're here today, my friends.

Long-term high levels of stress affect the entire body, and your skin is just one part of that. The more you're stressed, the more your cortisol (stress hormone) levels spike, and these elevated levels of cortisol lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, resulting in wrinkle formation. And if you're someone who wears emotions on their face (hi, me), stress can lead to certain expressions that result in even more fine lines and wrinkles.

“Repeatedly furrowing the eyebrows from stress and concentration commonly leads to dynamic wrinkles on the forehead and glabella—aka in between the eyebrows—because the collagen and elastin gradually break down,” explains Dr. Green. Reminder: Stress and facial expressions are just a normal part of life, and it's a privilege to be able to experience wrinkles at all. But, of course, that doesn't mean you have to love 'em.

Where do stress lines appear?

Stress lines have this fun little way of intensifying whenever you're feeling stressed, worried, or anxious. My stress lines appear as “11 lines” between my brows, but yours may pop up wherever you tend to tense your face. “Common areas for stress lines include the forehead and in between the eyebrows,” Dr. Green says.

Can you reduce stress wrinkles?

The dynamic wrinkles commonly shown on the forehead and in between the eyebrows are caused by repeated muscle movement, like furrowing and raising your eyebrows. Me telling you to stop furrowing your brow is about as effective as me telling you to not be stressed, so thankfully, there are other prevention options.

With certain treatments (ahem, see below), you can actually help prevent dynamic wrinkles from forming and also smooth the appearance of existing lines and wrinkles—if, you know, that's what you want to do.

How do I get rid of stress lines on my forehead?

Nope, you don't need to run immediately to the dermatologist for your stress lines and worry wrinkles. Why? Because the best treatment actually starts at home with your daily skincare routine.

At-home treatments for stress lines:

  • RETINOL
    It's no secret that retinol can help smooth fine lines (including stress lines) and wrinkles, which is why both derms recommend incorporating over-the-counter retinoids into your skincare routine early on. Retinol is super effective at stimulating skin-cell turnover and collagen production in the skin—but it also requires you to wear SPF 30 every single day to prevent a worsening of lines.
Our favorite retinol serums and creams:
Holifrog Moonbeam Retinal Treatment Serum
Holifrog Moonbeam Retinal Treatment Serum
Credit: Courtesy ImageMurad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream
Credit: Courtesy ImageZO Skin Health Wrinkle + Texture Repair
ZO Skin Health Wrinkle + Texture Repair
Credit: Courtesy ImageKlur Sculpture + A Overnight Enrichment Cream
Klur Sculpture + A Overnight Enrichment Cream
Credit: Courtesy Image
  • SUNSCREEN
    I can't stress this enough, but sunscreen is one of the most important steps for preventing fine lines and wrinkles. Period. “I recommend all patients use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreens daily," says Dr. Jaber, "while making sure you reapply every 2 hours when you are outside."
  • ANTIOXIDANTS
    Dr. Green explains that applying antioxidants, like vitamin C serums, helps prevent free-radical damage and oxidative stress caused by the sun. Vitamin C has also been shown to stimulate collagen synthesis, which will prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
4 excellent vitamin C serum to try:

This Award-Winning Vitamin C Serum

Universal C Skin Refiner
BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner
Credit: Courtesy Image

This Drugstore Vitamin C Serum

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Professional treatments for stress lines:

  • INJECTABLES
    Certain injectables, like Xeomin, Botox, or Dysport are great for smoothing stress lines by helping to relax your muscles. How? As Dr. Green explains it, the active ingredient blocks signals in the neuromuscular junction to temporarily paralyze the target muscle and prevent the repeated movement that causes dynamic wrinkles. Translation? Neuromodulators, like Xeomin, temporarily freeze the muscle, so it can't create a wrinkle in your skin.
  • PRP MICRONEEDLING
    Stimulating collagen production is key in anti-aging and preventing stress lines, which is why Dr. Green recommends options for collagen synthesis, such as microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (but you might know it as a vampire facial).
  • RADIOFREQUENCY
    Thermage is a popular radiofrequency skin-tightening laser that delivers RF energy into the deeper layer of the skin to stimulate collagen production, Dr. Green explains. “Thermage is a gold-standard anti-aging treatment due to its ability to tighten the skin, improve skin texture, and give a lifting effect like a mini facelift,” she says.
  • RESURFACING LASERS
    Dr. Jaber also recommends Fraxel, a microscopic laser that changes the surface of your face by encouraging new collagen and elastin growth in your skin.
  • PRESCRIPTION RETINOIDS
    “Prescription topical retinoids are superior to OTC retinols, so if your skin is not too sensitive speak to your dermatologist about a prescription retinoid,” Dr. Jaber says.

How do you prevent stress wrinkles?

Telling someone who is stressed not to stress tends to have the opposite effect, but the best way to tackle your lines is to beat them at the source. You'd be amazed at what stress-relieving activities, like yoga and meditation, coupled with a healthy lifestyle can do to prevent an increase in cortisol.

Beyond stress management, Dr. Jaber says the best options for decreasing the risk of stress line formation include meticulous sun protection, avoidance of smoking, getting enough sleep, topical vitamin C serums, and topical retinoids. And, of course, neuromodulators to relax your muscles. You might be stressed, but at least your forehead won't be, too.

Meet the experts:

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer at Cosmopolitan for over three years and has 10 years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle across print and digital. She’s an authority in all skincare categories but particularly loves poring over both at-home and in-office skincare treatments, from DIY pimple remedies to dermaplaning. She regularly interviews the industry’s top dermatologists to assess new formulas and treatments for all skin concerns, including wrinkles.

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Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com.

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