- Dermal fillers are an effective treatment for lines and wrinkles on the forehead.
- Hyaluronic acid fillers plump and smooth the skin, with instant results lasting up to twelve months.
- Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) fillers are a longer-lasting treatment, with results visible for up to five years.
- Forehead fillers cost an average of around $682–$1000 per treatment.
- Botox can be used in combination with fillers to treat and prevent forehead lines and wrinkles.
Forehead wrinkles are an unavoidable sign of aging and a common skin complaint among many. Fortunately, there are a number of non-invasive procedures that can help to reduce their appearance, including dermal fillers. Fillers are temporary, yet effective treatments that will plump your skin to fill out lines and creases.
Contents
How Do Fillers Work?
Dermal fillers are gel-based solutions that are injected into the skin through a needle or cannula (a thin tube similar to a needle). They provide instant volume to fill in static lines and deep wrinkles on the face. They are also commonly used to add volume to the lips and cheeks, as well as being an effective treatment for scarring.
There are a number of ingredients used in fillers to provide a plumping effect, including:
- Hyaluronic acid (HA)
- Collagen
- Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
Can you use them on your forehead?
Yes, dermal fillers can be used as a safe and effective treatment for filling out existing lines and wrinkles on your forehead. The results can be observed immediately, and last for an average of twelve months.
Best Fillers for Forehead Wrinkles and Frown Lines
HA fillers are the most commonly used filler in the US, thanks to their proven safety and instantaneous effects. Over time, the HA filler is metabolized by your body and is, therefore, a temporary treatment.
Juvederm and Restylane are two leading HA fillers that have been shown to restore facial volume and effectively treat lines and wrinkles, with results typically lasting between six to twelve months. Both Juvederm Vollure XC and Restylane Volyme have been specifically developed to treat deep lines and folds on the face. Their thick, yet smooth gel consistency makes them best suited to filling in wrinkles on the forehead.
PMMA-based fillers, like Bellafill, are also widely used to treat fine lines and wrinkles. Bellafill lasts significantly longer than Juvederm and Restylane, with results still visible after five years of treatment. Bellafill also contains added collagen to instantly rejuvenate and plump the skin.
However, as PMMA is a synthetic material, there is a higher risk of complications with these types of fillers. Hardening of the surrounding tissue, as well as the formation of hard nodules has been reported after PMMA filler use. PMMA is not metabolized by the body, and therefore must be removed surgically if these issues occur.
Side Effects of Using Forehead Fillers
Filler injections are considered to be a safe skin care treatment when performed by a trained professional. However, there are some side effects associated with injection that may occur after treatment, including:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Itching
- Minor bleeding
These effects are normally temporary and should subside once your skin has healed.
In rare cases, more severe side effects may occur as a result of the fillers themselves. These include:
- Tissue damage
- Infection
- The formation of hard lumps or nodules
- Allergic reaction to the filler ingredients
These effects require immediate medical attention, and it is likely that your filler will need to be removed. This can be done through the injection of hyaluronidase or by surgical removal.
How Much Do Forehead Fillers Cost?
The cost of forehead fillers will differ greatly depending on your location and the dermatologist performing the treatment. On average, the cost for one session of HA filler is around $682. This cost will vary depending on the amount of vials needed to plump your forehead.
PMMA fillers are typically more expensive, with average treatment costing around $889 per vial. With the effects of PMMA fillers lasting up to five years, this may be a more cost-effective option in the long term.
Collagen fillers gradually plump your skin over time. These cost around $691 per treatment.
When Should You Use Botox?
Botox is another injectable anti-wrinkle treatment, which can be used in combination with dermal fillers. Botox targets dynamic wrinkles; these are the ones that are formed by facial expressions, such as frowning or smiling.
Botox, rather than dermal fillers, works well to treat dynamic wrinkles because it relaxes the facial muscles underneath the skin, preventing them from moving and causing creases.
While this cosmetic procedure has been found to have a positive effect on existing wrinkles, Botox works most effectively as a preventative measure against the formation of forehead wrinkles and can be used as early as your mid-twenties.
Takeaway
Furrows and deep wrinkles on the forehead are a common sign of aging. Dermal fillers are an injectable treatment that can be used to fill-in static wrinkles, providing a smoother and more youthful appearance.
HA and PMMA fillers provide the most immediate results, costing between $600 and $1000 per treatment. Botox can be used in combination with fillers to treat and prevent dynamic wrinkles on the forehead.
Sources
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- de Melo Carpaneda, E., Carpaneda, C.A. Adverse Results with PMMA Fillers. Aesth Plast Surg 36, 955–963 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-012-9871-8
- Franchi, G., Neiva-Vaz, C., Picard, A., & Vazquez, M. P. (2018, June). Facial injections of hyaluronic acid-based fillers for malformations. Preliminary study regarding scar tissue improvement and cosmetic betterment. In Annales de chirurgie plastique et esthetique (Vol. 63, No. 3, pp. 197-204). doi:10.1016/j.anplas.2018.01.001
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- Joseph, J. H. (2015). The case for synthetic injectables. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics, 23(4), 433-445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsc.2015.07.003
- Raspaldo, H., Niforos, F. R., Gassia, V., Dallara, J. M., Bellity, P., Baspeyras, M., … & Consensus Group. (2011). Lower‐face and neck antiaging treatment and prevention using onabotulinumtoxin A: the 2010 multidisciplinary French consensus–part 2. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 10(2), 131-149. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2165.2011.00560.x
- Satriyasa B. K. (2019). Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: a literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 12, 223–228. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S202919