What Does It Mean to Furrow Your Brow?

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Explore the emotional meaning behind this common facial expression
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Our facial expressions tell those around us a lot about what we’re thinking or feeling. “Furrowed brows,” or when someone’s brows are pulled together, is just one of many of those expressions, and is commonly made when we’re feeling any number of negative emotions. We’ll tell you more about this common expression, the possible meanings behind it, and how to prevent wrinkles if you think you’re doing it a bit too much.


Things You Should Know

  • “Furrowed brows” refers to the facial expression in which someone pulls their eyebrows together to form wrinkles between them.
  • People furrow their brows when they experience negative emotions, like anger, sadness, confusion, pain, disapproval, or fear.
  • Prevent permanent wrinkles by relaxing your face, staying hydrated, and wearing sunscreen when you venture outside.
Section 1 of 3:

What is a furrowed brow?

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  1. It’s usually made by someone experiencing things like pain, anger, or sadness. It occurs when someone’s eyebrows move closer together, making wrinkles in the space between them and also sometimes on their forehead. [1]
    • The phrase uses the word “furrow,” which means a groove or deep line, often used in agricultural contexts to mean a plowed trench between crop rows.
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Section 2 of 3:

Why do people furrow their brows?

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  1. Furrowed brows might express frustration or contempt at other people or their actions. Here, it’s often accompanied by a raised upper lip, narrowed eyes and a flared nose.
    • Someone who’s angry might also place their hands on their hips, clench their fists, or make their lips narrow.
    • Reader Poll: We asked 1586 wikiHow readers who read body language, and only 9% of them agreed that the best way to tell when someone is angry is when they furrow their brows. [Take Poll] Be sure to pay attention to the rest of their body language before assuming they’re angry!
  2. A furrowed brow can indicate many kinds of sadness or emotional pain. In these instances, it’s often accompanied by frowning or an open mouth. [2] The person might also tear up, narrow their eyes, or sob.
  3. People often furrow their brows to communicate that they don’t understand something. It’s often tied to a fear or surprise response, or both combined. [3] Here, the person might also frown, look around, or gesture vaguely with their hands.
  4. You might furrow your brows to show that you don’t agree with someone, or to communicate that you show contempt or disgust, like when someone does something that offends you or grosses you out.
    • It’s usually a bit less intense, and might be accompanied by a turned-up lip or a cocked eyebrow.
  5. Furrowed brows are a common sign of physical hurt, just like gritted or bared teeth and tightly closed eyes. Someone in pain might also tighten or widen their lips, raise their cheeks, or open their mouth. [4]
    • These responses may be caused by the person trying to shut out the painful sensation.
  6. Think about how characters in scary movies react; they often furrow their brows when they see something frightening, just like you do. It’s linked with expressions of confusion, as fear often accompanies disorientation. [5]
    • Someone who’s afraid might also breathe heavily, open their mouth or eyes wide, or flare their nostrils.
  7. Furrowed brows can be a sign of disbelief or doubt. When someone does this, they communicate, either on purpose or subconsciously, that they can’t quite believe or comprehend something, or suspect that it’s untrue.
    • A suspicious person might also narrow their eyes, pucker their lips, or frown.
  8. People tend to furrow their brows when they’re stressed or anxious about something. It’s similar to a fear response, but not quite intense, when a person is still analyzing a threat or risk. [6]
    • A worried person might also dart their eyes from side to side, swivel their head, crinkle their eyes, or frown.
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Section 3 of 3:

Preventing Wrinkles from Furrowed Brows

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  1. For some people, furrowed brows become more of a habit than an occasional emotional reaction. If you notice your brows wrinkle, take a moment to relax your forehead. [7] You might also practice some breathing exercises to calm down.
    • That said, furrowed brows are a natural expression and emotional response. Don’t worry too much about them if they’re a genuine result of negative emotions. They’re natural!
  2. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a leading cause of wrinkles, as the UV rays break down the collagen in your skin over time, causing it to slacken prematurely. If you’re headed outside, wear a hat with a brim or slather on some SPF 30+ sunscreen . [8]
  3. Your skin needs plenty of water to stay healthy, hydrated, and plumped. [9] To stay hydrated , experts recommend that men drink about 15.5 cups (3.7 L) of water per day, and women drink 11.5 (2.7 L) per day. [10]
    • Also, use a hydrating facial moisturizer each morning to give your skin some much-needed direct hydration.
    • Vitamin A and C supplements may also provide vital nutrients that prevent and get rid of wrinkles .
  4. Wrinkles are totally natural, and don’t need to be “treated.” But if you’re concerned, a doctor may prescribe over-the-counter anti-wrinkle creams or procedures like dermabrasion (scraping away layers of skin) or laser resurfacing. [11]
    • Patients may also receive facial fillers to lift deep wrinkles, or even opt for facelift surgery.
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      • Furrowed brows are so ingrained in humans that furrowing your brow can actually make you feel more negative emotions than you did before you furrowed them. [12]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3530173/
      2. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15541780/
      3. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8546352/
      4. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2706565/
      5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8546352/
      6. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22229459/
      7. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/prefrontal-nudity/201208/calm-your-face-calm-your-mind
      8. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10984-wrinkles
      9. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10984-wrinkles
      1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
      2. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10984-wrinkles
      3. ↑ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/02699939208409689?needAccess=true

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