The glabella is a slightly prominent bony area located between the two eyebrows, above the nose. Percussion of this area causes a primitive blinking reflex. Frown lines, brown spots, rosacea… this hairless region is not spared by skin imperfections. We take stock.

The glabella refers to a slightly prominent bony area located between the two eyebrows and above the nose. Indeed, the term is derived from the Latin glabellus, meaning “hairless”.

The glabella is part of the frontal bone. The latter is a flat bone located in the forehead above the nasal and orbital cavities. It is intended to protect the frontal lobes and the cavities of the face from external aggressions. This bone articulates with other bones of the face (ethmoid bones, maxillary bones, parietal bones, nasal bones, etc.).

The glabella is located between the two drip arches, bony protuberances located on the frontal bone above the orbit of the eye. The brow bone is covered by the eyebrows on the skin.

Tapping the glabellar area causes a reflex to close the eyes: we are talking about glabellar reflex.

The glabellar reflex also named fronto-orbicutary reflex (or orbital) is a primitive reflex that is to say an involuntary automatic movement in response to a stimulus. Its function is to protect the eyes. It is caused by tapping with a finger on the glabella (we are talking about percussions glabellaires).

A persistent reflex in infants

In newborns, the glabellar reflex is normal and persistent. It reproduces with each glabellar percussion. On the other hand, the adult patient normally gets used to the percussion and the blinking stops after a few taps. Persistent blinking is also called Myerson’s sign. The latter is often observed in patients with Parkinson’s disease (in whom we observe the persistence of other primitive reflexes).

An absent reflex in the event of a coma

In 1982, the scientist Jacques D. Born and his collaborators invented the Glasgow-Liège scale (Glasgow-Liège Scale or GLS) in order to improve the Glasgow score. Indeed, according to specialists, this last score would know certain limits, especially in the case of deep comas. The Glasgow-Liège scale (GLS) adds the predictive efficiency of brainstem reflexes (of which the glabellar reflex is a part) to the strictly motor reflexes taken into account in the Glasgow scale. In the event of a coma, we observe the gradual disappearance of brainstem reflexes and in particular of the glabellar reflex.

The lion’s wrinkle

The frown line is also called the glabella line because of its location between the two eyebrows. It results from the repeated contraction of the frontal muscles: the procerus muscle (or pyramidal muscle of the nose) located between the eyebrows and the corrugator muscles located at the head of the eyebrows. The thinner the skin and the more frequent the contractions, the earlier the frown line. For some, it begins to take shape at the age of 25. The causes of facial contractions are diverse:

• intense light;
• poor eyesight;
• tightness of the face;
• etc.

Glabella and skin imperfections

Lentigos, melasma…

The glabella is an area that can be affected by hyperpigmentation spots such as lentigines or melasma (or pregnancy mask).

Couperosis, erythema …

For patients with rosacea or redness (erythema), the glabella area is often not spared.

Glabella and “browbone”

If the glabella comes from the Latin glabellus meaning “hairless”, this area is unfortunately not always completely hairless. Some even suffer from a strong inter-brow hairiness colloquially called “browbone”.

Lion wrinkles

Botox (botulinic acid) injections are the preferred treatment for frown lines. Indeed, they have a preventive action by freezing the muscles responsible for frown lines when they contract. Their effects are about 6 months after which the injections can be repeated. Hyaluronic acid injections allow them to plump up the wrinkle, their action is absorbable in 12 months.

Glabella and skin imperfections

Lentigos, melasma…

In order to deal with its inconvenience, various solutions exist. The anti-pigment agents found in skin cosmetics (vitamin C, polyphenols, arbutin, thiamidol, dioic acid, etc.) make it possible to prevent or even reduce the symptoms of hyperpigmentation. Hydroquinone, prescribed by prescription, is reserved for more severe cases because of its side effects.

Peels (most often based on glycolic, trichloroacetic, salicylic acid, etc.) can also be used on an area such as the glabella. They are nevertheless aggressive and it is best to use them only as a last resort: you can therefore first rely on exfoliators in the form of scrubs or dermocosmetics based on AHA, BHA, glycolic, lactic acids, etc. .

Couperosis, erythema …

Treatments can be used on this area: lasers, vasoconstrictor creams, antiparasitics, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, etc. Be careful, the glabella is an area close to the eyes, it is important to take care to avoid any projection towards them. Rinse thoroughly in case of eye contact with any product.

Glabella and “browbone”

It is possible to depilate this area without danger with wax (hot or cold), with tweezers or even with an electric epilator suitable for the face. Permanent laser hair removal is sometimes possible. However, it is not without risk and suffers from a large number of contraindications: tanning, dark or dark skin, photosensitizing treatments, herpes, skin diseases, pregnancy, breastfeeding, white, light or red hairs, etc.