Skin Care

Dehydration Lines On The Forehead? Here Is All You Need To know!

So, if lines and wrinkles come from dehydration, the answer is to hydrate the skin, right? The answer is yes!


Written by Ravina K

On Apr 17, 2023 – 11 minutes read

Are Your Forehead Lines a Sign of Dehydration Here is all you need to know

Do you feel that the lines on your forehead become more noticeable during the summer? If yes, then you are not alone. Dehydration Lines On the Forehead appear normally during summer since water absorption in our body decreases and we become dehydrated.

Although a fine line is a natural sign of aging, when it appears before time or appears more prominent than usual on occasions, it can be a sign of dehydration. This problem is more common during the summers when searing sunlight and cold air from the air conditioner strip away the natural moisture from the skin. The result is dry, dull, and dehydrated skin. 

Even those with a normal skin type may feel the need to apply a moisturizer repeatedly to keep themselves hydrated. So, before the summer heat gets more intense, let’s understand how to get rid of the dehydration lines on the forehead.

What Are Dehydration Lines On The Forehead?

Our skin is the biggest organ of the body and also the most sensitive one. It is a reflection of our inner health and just like any other part of the body, it also gets dehydrated. 

Dehydration lines appear when the skin loses its elasticity and plumpness due to a lack of water intake or loss of excess water from the body. It can be caused due to exposure to dry environments, sun, lack of hydration, and other lifestyle reasons. Many confuse these lines with fine lines or wrinkles, but unlike the latter, these are not permanent and go away once your body is hydrated again properly. 

What Are Dehydration Lines On The Forehead?

A dehydration line is a kind of skin condition, not a skin type, that is mainly caused due to lack of water in the body. So, it can happen to anyone with any skin type – dry, oily, or normal. 

Types Of Dehydration Lines On The Forehead

While lines on the forehead are a common type of dehydration lines, they can also appear in other areas of the face and neck. Depending on their location, dehydration lines can be classified into different types.

Forehead Lines

These are the most visible and common types of dehydration lines that run horizontally on the forehead. It becomes more prominent due to repeated facial expressions such as raising the eyebrows.

Crow’s Feet

The lines at the corners of your eyes resembling the legs of crows (hence the name!) are crow’s feet. These kinds of dehydration lines appear at the corner of the eyes, usually while squinting.

Types Of Dehydration Lines On The Forehead

Laugh Lines

The laugh lines run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. When dehydrated these lines become more prominent. 

Marionette Lines

These are the lines that run from the corner of the mouth to the chin and are more prominent when talking or laughing. 

Necklines

Dehydration can also be a reason for lines that appear on the neck. Sometimes lines on the neck also appear due to aging and sun damage. 

How To Identify Dehydration Lines On The Forehead

Well-hydrated skin looks smooth and supple. So, when your skin feels otherwise, you know that something is not right. Here are some common signs of dehydration that you should look out for. 

Dryness

Lack of water intake affects your skin’s capability to shed its outermost layer frequently enough, leading to the accumulation of dead cells on its surface. This leads to clogging of pores and congestion. When your skin looks dry, expect that you are suffering from dehydration.

Dullness

Healthy and well-hydrated skin looks supple and shiny. So, if your face looks dull, uneven, and exhausted, it is due to dehydration and you need to take the right steps to prevent it and hydrate it again. 

Itchiness

Lack of moisture and hydration also makes your skin itchy and scaly. The dead skin accumulation on the outermost layer can make it tight and flaky. No matter how much moisturizer you apply to your skin, it will remain the same.

Increased Sensitivity

Dehydration also increases sensitivity. As the moisture barrier of the outermost surface is disrupted, your skin may find it difficult to protect itself from external environmental stressors. It can cause bacteria to easily penetrate the skin, causing irritation, acne, and other skin-related issues. 

Dehydration Lines

Dehydration can also accelerate the signs of aging. This leads to the appearance of lines on your face, particularly in the areas where creases are formed like the forehead, corner of the eyes, and mouth. 

Dehydration Lines Vs Wrinkles

Difference between dehydration lines on the forehead and wrinkles:

At first glance, both dehydration lines and wrinkles may appear the same – like creases on your skin. But the two conditions are quite different from each other. 

Dehydration lines are finer and more superficial. It may appear different from time to time, sometimes it can stretch across your forehead, and other times it can be very light and can be visible only when you look closer. They are common to all skin types and people of all age groups. 

On the other hand, wrinkles are permanent lines that appear with age. They are deep, do not fluctuate like the dehydration lines, and also do not appear overnight. Caused due to lack of collagen, aging, genes, and sun exposure, wrinkles affect everyone once they hit a certain age. They are more pronounced in the areas where skin folds when talking, laughing, or making any other kind of facial expression.  

While dehydration lines are not permanent and go away once you hydrate properly and moisturize your skin, wrinkles are difficult to treat. Given that wrinkles are permanent, it requires more regressive cosmetic treatments like anti-aging, injectable fillers, chemical peel(1), and others. 

Causes Of Dehydration Lines On The Forehead

There are many reasons for dehydration lines on the forehead. The real cause varies from person to person and their daily activity. Some of the common factors that may lead to the dehydration of the skin are: 

  • Not drinking enough water
  • Dry and hot weather 
  • Change of seasons
  • Poor diet 
  • Lack of sleep
  • Excessive alcohol or caffeine intake 
  • Use of heating or air conditioner
  • Excess sweating 
  • Unmanaged stress

Through exposure to any of the conditions above, the skin may lose water and lines may appear. The forehead is the first place where the dehydration lines are revealed, highlighting your lifestyle choices and your inner health condition. These lines are a way for the body to ask for water and moisture. 

If you ignore these signs of dehydration, the line will get deeper, more prominent, and even start appearing on other parts of the body. 

How To Prevent Dehydration Lines On The Forehead?

Unlike wrinkle lines, dehydration lines are not permanent. That means by taking some simple precautionary steps, you can easily get rid of these lines on the forehead and other parts of the body by following some easy tips and tricks. 

How To Prevent Dehydration Lines On The Forehead

Drink Plenty Of Water

First and foremost, drink plenty of water every day. Water is the source of life and about 70% of our body is made up of it. When you do not drink ample amounts of water, the skin naturally gets dry and the internal organs also have to struggle a lot to carry out their day-to-day functioning. To stay fit and healthy inside out, drink about 2-3 liters of water daily. 

Use A Good Moisturizer

To trap moisture on the skin’s surface and make them look healthy and supple, apply good moisturizer at least 2 times a day. Look for moisturizer as per your skin type and apply it on your face, neck, and all the exposed parts after cleaning them properly in the morning and at night. 

Dehydration Lines On the Forehead: Limit Your Sun Exposure

The scorching sunlight sucks away all the moisture from your skin, making it look dull and dehydrated. This may lead to the formation of lines on the forehead. To protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and indoor blue light, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on all your exposed parts.

Avoid Alcohol And Caffeine

Both alcohol and caffeine have a dehydrating effect on the body. They make you pee more, which leads to loss of water from the body leading to dehydration. So, it is best to take them in limited quantities daily and also drink sufficient amounts of water to nullify their negative effect on the body. 

Eat A Balanced Diet

Junk, fried, and unhealthy food, not only affects your inner health, but its effect is also visible on the skin. To keep your skin healthy, shiny, and hydrated, eat more fruits, green veggies, and nuts. 

Avoid Smoking

Smoking affects the lungs as well as accelerates the aging process. It can not only dehydrate your skin but also leads to the formation of lines on the forehead and other areas of the face. 

Use Scrub

For your skin care products to penetrate deeper, your skin should be clean from dust and dead skin. Make sure you exfoliate nicely every 2-3 times a week to remove the product’s build-up and dead skin to hydrate your skin more nicely. 

Gentle Facial Cleanser

Avoid harsh face cleaners with strong cleansers like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and others. These harsh chemicals can suck the water content from your skin, making it look dull, dry, and flaky. Always use a mild cleanser and dermatologically tested cleanser. 

Dehydration Lines On the Forehead Due To Hot Water

Hot water also makes your skin look dry and damaged. It strips away the natural oil from the skin, exposing your delicate inner layer. Wash your face either with lukewarm water or cold water to retain moisture. 

How To Treat Dehydration Lines On The Forehead?

The dehydration lines on your forehead can be easily treated with some steps and products. Here is how you can treat the lines and make your skin look hydrated again. 

Drink More Water

The first step to treat dehydration is by drinking more water throughout the day. Water helps to rehydrate your cell making it look more smooth and plump. Particularly in the morning, it is essential to drink 2 glasses of water after you wake up because you stay thirsty for 7-8 hours when you’re sleeping. So replenish yourself by drinking water first thing in the morning. 

Cleanse Your Face

Clean your face with normal or lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser to remove all the dirt, oil, and dead skin from the uppermost layer of the skin. It helps to open the pores for the products to absorb more nicely and penetrate deeper into the skin to hydrate it. Make cleansing a part of your morning routine for brighter and smoother skin. 

Add Facial Oil

Add facial oil to your skincare routine to seal the moisture and prevent water loss which helps in preventing dehydration lines on the forehead. Nutrient-dense oil strengthens the skin to hold moisture and also controls the formation of excess oils that block the pores. Get oils with powerful antioxidants for better results. 

Moisturize

After applying facial oil, use a good-quality moisturizer to hydrate the skin. Pick the one that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides. Also, try to avoid the ones with harsh chemicals. Use it two times a day. 

Apply Sunscreen

Sunscreen is very essential for any daytime skincare routine. Not only when you step out, but even when you are planning to stay indoors all day long, apply sunscreen all over your exposed parts to prevent your skin from the harmful blue lights. Use the one with SPF 30 or above for better results.(2)

Use A Humidifier

Humidifiers help add moisture to the air around you. With the excess use of air conditioners during the summer months it is essential to use a humidifier to keep your skin hydrated. 

Take Professional Help

If the line on your forehead is very prominent and has been there for a while, it is best to take professional help to recover from it. With the help of laser therapy and chemical peel, you may be able to get rid of the lines and other signs of dehydration on the face. 

Frequent Answered Questions (FAQ)

Can dehydration cause lines on the forehead?

Yes, dehydration can cause lines on the forehead. This is caused because the skin loses its elasticity and plumpness when it is dehydrated. 

Do dehydration lines go away?

The dehydration line can go away when the skin is rehydrated and moisturized properly. Only if the lines are deep and have been present for a long time may they not completely disappear. 

Can you reverse dehydration wrinkles?

It is possible to reverse the dehydration lines on the forehead by drinking sufficient amounts of water and moisturizing your skin regularly. 

What do dehydration lines look like?

Lines caused by dehydration are like small, shallow wrinkles that appear in the skin, particularly where creases are formed. They can be easily spotted around the eyes, forehead, and near mouth. 

How to tell the difference between dehydration lines and wrinkles?

Dehydration lines are often shallow and go away when you properly hydrate yourself. On the other hand, wrinkles caused by aging are more prominent and permanent. 

Concluding Thoughts

Dehydration of the skin is a common problem in summer. The heat outside and the dry air of the conditioner strip away all the moisture, making the skin look dry and dull. On top of that, if you are not drinking enough water during the day, the skin may feel itchier, and sensitive and lines may appear on the face. To minimize the damage it is essential to keep the skin protected and hydrated. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day, avoiding exposure to the sun, and applying sunscreen before stepping out are some of the things that you can do to prevent dehydration.  

Taking care of the skin is essential to prevent dehydration lines, dullness, and skin damage. If you do not pay attention to your skin it will look old before time and the dehydration lines will become more prominent. 

  1. Elsevier B.V.(2023).Chemical peels. Available at:

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0738081X07001964
  2. John Wiley & Sons.(1999-2023).Application of sunscreen − theory and reality. Available at:

    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/phpp.12099

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ravina

Hi there, I am Ravina! I am a storyteller, who loves to write about lifestyle, politics, and social issues. Writing for me is like meditating as it helps me connect with my inner self and everything around me. It is a medium to express my thoughts and feelings. When not writing, I can be found reading, painting or admiring the beauty of nature.

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