Forehead wrinkles are the horizontal lines that appear when you raise your eyebrows. They are the area where restraint is most important—and the area where poorly done treatments are most easily detected.
Why the forehead is more delicate than the frown lines
The frontalis muscle is the only muscle that raises the eyebrows. If it is weakened too much, the eyebrows droop, the upper eyelid appears heavier, and the eyes look tired—exactly the opposite of what people come for. Therefore, I rarely treat the forehead in isolation or intensely, but rather in conjunction with its antagonist muscle, which... Frown lines.
For some face shapes, I advise against forehead treatment: Those who already have low-set eyebrows or a somewhat heavy upper eyelid tend to raise their eyebrows slightly on a permanent basis to maintain a clear view. In these patients, weakening the frontalis muscle would be more of a hindrance than a help.
The process
- Analysis in motion: Raising eyebrows, frowning, closing eyes. I observe the eyebrow position and eyelid opening.
- Information and written consent.
- A few injections distributed across the forehead, in a low dose.
- Follow-up examination after 14 days — here, more medication is administered if necessary, never the other way around.
Effect and duration
Visible after three to seven days, fully visible after about two weeks, duration usually three to four months. The goal is not a smooth forehead, but one that still moves and whose lines are softer.
Risks
- Drooping eyebrows at too high a dose — the reason I start low
- A heavier-looking upper eyelid
- Bruising and headaches may occur in the first few days.
- Temporary asymmetry, such as one eyebrow being higher than the other.
Treatment is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding, in cases of neuromuscular diseases, infections in the treatment area, and in cases of known hypersensitivity.
Aftercare — what to keep in mind
- No sports or sauna on the same day.
- Avoid massaging your forehead for several hours.
- Avoid lying flat for about four hours
Cost
Treatment with botulinum toxin costs 200 € For one region. If the forehead and frown lines are treated together, that's two regions: €320; three regions: €400. Duration approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
The check-up after two weeks is included. All prices can be found at [website address]. Prices; The cost estimate provided during the initial consultation is decisive. Cosmetic treatments without a medical indication are not covered by health insurance. The initial consultation lasts approximately 25 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the forehead be treated alone?
Technically yes, but often not practical. Without coordination with the muscles that pull the eyebrow downwards, the balance shifts and the eyebrows droop. That's why I always look at both.
Why does one side of my forehead appear more prominent?
Faces are not symmetrical, and neither is muscle strength. Small differences are normal and can be corrected during the follow-up examination after two weeks.
Do the lines disappear completely?
The movement lines, yes, largely. Deeply etched resting wrinkles soften, but this takes time and several intervals.
Does the treatment hurt?
The punctures with very fine needles are barely noticeable. Anesthesia is not required.
How long will the appointment last?
Approximately 20 to 25 minutes including consultation. The injections themselves only take a few minutes.
How many units does the forehead need?
There's no single answer to that, because muscle strength varies greatly from person to person. A strong frontalis muscle needs more than a weak one, and a high hairline requires a different distribution than a low one. I deliberately start at the lower end of what seems reasonable. If it's not enough after two weeks, we'll adjust it at the follow-up appointment. This sequence is important: Too little can be corrected in five minutes, too much takes three months.
What botulinum toxin cannot do on the forehead
Horizontal forehead lines have two components: the mobile part and the part that has become etched into the skin over the years. The mobile part disappears reliably. The etched part softens because the skin is no longer constantly being refolded—but this takes several cycles and depends on skin quality. Anyone expecting a perfectly smooth forehead will be disappointed; those wanting a smoother forehead usually won't.
Sun protection is more important here than elsewhere
The forehead receives more UV radiation in everyday life than almost any other area of the face. Anyone wanting to keep lines flat in the long term needs consistent sun protection. It's unspectacular and costs a fraction of a treatment, but its effects are more pronounced over the years.
Combination with other areas
In practice, the forehead is rarely treated in isolation. Coordination with the Frown lines This is almost always part of the plan, often including crow's feet, to ensure the face remains consistent in motion. You can find an overview of all areas on the page about... Botulinum toxin.
Unsure whether you should have your forehead treated? We can clarify that in a consultation.
Medically responsible: Dr. Jan Gumilar, General Practitioner — Private Practice for Aesthetic Medicine, Brandstätte 3, 1010 Vienna. Member of the German Society for Aesthetic Botulinum and Filler Therapy (DGBT).