Do Surgical Dimples Look Natural? How Dimpleplasty Results Settle Over the First Months

She had practiced the smile in the bathroom mirror for years, pressing a fingertip into each cheek to see where a dimple might sit. Now, ten days after surgery, the marks are there, but not the way she pictured them. Two small dents stare back at her even when she is not smiling, one a little deeper than the other, and a friend has already asked whether something went wrong.

Nothing has, necessarily. This is the part of dimpleplasty that social media clips rarely show: the awkward middle stretch when the cheek is healing from the inside and the result looks more like a puncture than a feature.

Understanding how dimpleplasty results settle, and why the early look is so different from the late one, matters more than any before-and-after photo. It shapes whether you judge the outcome fairly, whether you spot a genuine problem early, and whether you decide to have the procedure at all.

What dimpleplasty results actually are: a controlled scar, not a sculpted hole

A natural dimple is a small anatomical quirk. In most people who have one, a band of the cheek muscle (the buccinator, the flat muscle that pulls the cheek inward when you blow out a candle) is split or attached to the skin above it. When the muscle contracts during a smile, it tugs the skin down and a hollow appears. At rest, nothing shows.

Dimpleplasty tries to copy that arrangement. The surgeon does not carve a dent into the face. Instead, the operation creates a deliberate adhesion, which simply means a patch of internal scar tissue that glues the underside of the skin to the muscle beneath it. Once that bond is firm, the muscle drags the skin inward each time it moves, and a dimple forms with the smile.

This distinction explains almost everything about how dimpleplasty results behave. Scar tissue is not fixed on the day it is made. It forms, tightens, then slowly remodels and softens. Health services note that a scar can keep changing for up to two years before it reaches its settled appearance (NHS). The skin over a new dimple follows the same biology as any other healing wound, just in a spot where everyone can see it.

It also explains why outcomes vary. Some people form dense scar tissue; some form very little. Cheek fat thickness, skin thickness, how strongly the muscle contracts and how the stitch holds in the early days all influence what the dimple looks like months later. A result that is too deep, too shallow, or that fades entirely is not a sign of a careless surgeon in every case; it can be the natural spread of how bodies heal.

How dimple creation surgery works, step by step

Most dimpleplasty techniques share the same skeleton, although details differ from surgeon to surgeon. Knowing the steps makes the recovery make sense.

First comes marking. With you sitting upright and smiling, the surgeon identifies where a dimple would sit naturally, often near the point where a line drawn down from the outer corner of the eye meets a line drawn out from the corner of the mouth. You are usually asked to look, comment and agree before anything else happens.

Second, the cheek is numbed. The procedure is typically done under local anesthetic, which means an injection that blocks pain signals in that patch of tissue while you stay awake. Some surgeons add a mild sedative; the choice is a clinical decision made with you.

Third, the surgeon works from inside the mouth. A small opening is made in the lining of the cheek (the buccal mucosa) directly under the marked spot. Through it, a tiny core of muscle and fat is removed, creating a small pocket. No cut is made on the outer skin, which is why there is no visible external scar.

Fourth comes the stitch that does the real work. A suture is passed through the deep layer of the skin, then through the muscle, and tied. The knot pulls the skin inward against the muscle. In many techniques this suture is dissolvable, so it holds the tissues together for weeks and then breaks down, leaving the internal scar to keep the connection.

Finally the mucosal opening is closed with a dissolvable stitch or left to seal on its own, as many small mouth wounds do. Because the whole thing happens through an opening you cannot see, the visible result on the cheek is entirely the product of what that internal knot and scar do over time.

Why the first week of dimpleplasty results can look nothing like the final look

The early appearance surprises almost everyone, including people who researched the operation carefully. In the first days, the cheek is swollen from the injection and from the small internal wound. The stitch is at its tightest. The combination produces what surgeons call a static dimple: an indentation that is present all the time, whether you are smiling, talking or asleep.

Looked at critically, that early dent can seem too deep, too sharp-edged, or slightly puckered, as if the skin has been pinched from behind. The skin around it may look faintly bruised or shiny. Inside the mouth, the small wound may feel tender and a little swollen, and chewing on that side can be uncomfortable.

None of this is the finished product. Swelling from any minor surgical wound usually settles over the first week or two as the body clears fluid from the tissue (MedlinePlus). As the swelling leaves, the dimple often looks even more pronounced for a short period, because the puffiness that was padding the edges has gone while the stitch is still gripping. This is the stage when people worry most, and the stage most often photographed and posted without context.

Then the suture starts to weaken. As it loses tension, the constant tug on the skin eases. The skin begins to lie flat at rest and drop inward only when the muscle contracts. The dimple, in other words, becomes dynamic, appearing with expression and disappearing without it.

How fast this transition happens varies with the suture material used, how much scar the body forms, and how the tissue was handled. Published evidence on dimpleplasty is limited to small case series rather than large trials, so quoted timelines from individual surgeons are experience, not guideline. A fair rule: do not judge the result during the static phase.

Do surgical dimples look natural? What 'natural' means anatomically

The honest answer is that some do, some do not, and the difference is rarely about the surgeon’s artistry alone. It helps to break “natural” into the parts an observer actually notices.

The first is timing. A natural dimple appears with a smile and vanishes when the face relaxes. A surgical dimple that stays visible at rest months after the operation is the single most common reason people say a result looks “done.” Because the early phase is static by design, judging naturalness before the scar has matured is unfair to both patient and surgeon.

The second is shape. Natural dimples are usually soft-edged, slightly oval, and shallow enough that shadow rather than depth defines them. A surgical dimple that is very round, very deep, or has a small central pit tends to read as artificial. Depth is influenced by how much tissue was removed, how tight the knot was tied and how much scar formed.

The third is position and pairing. Dimples that sit too close to the mouth or too high on the cheekbone look out of place because they do not line up with where the buccinator muscle pulls hardest. Many people with natural dimples have only one, or have two that are not identical, so slight asymmetry can actually read as more believable than mirror-image perfection.

The fourth is movement. When you smile, a natural dimple deepens gradually along with the rest of the cheek. A surgical one that snaps in abruptly or pulls a small crease across the cheek draws the eye.

Put together, this is why most surgeons ask patients to reserve judgment until the scar has remodeled. Whether the result then looks natural depends on anatomy, healing and technique in roughly equal measure, and none of those can be promised in advance.

Dimpleplasty results month by month: how the dimple typically settles

The table below describes the pattern surgeons commonly report and the underlying wound biology that explains it. Individual healing varies widely, and the dimpleplasty literature consists mainly of small case series, so treat these as descriptions of a usual trajectory rather than a schedule to be met.

Stage	What is happening inside	What you typically see
First days	Local anesthetic wears off; swelling from the internal wound; suture at full tension	Deep, fixed dent; puffiness; tenderness inside the cheek when chewing
First one to two weeks	Swelling clears; early scar tissue begins to form around the stitch (MedlinePlus)	Dent may briefly look sharper as puffiness fades; still visible at rest
Following weeks	Dissolvable suture weakens and releases tension; scar bonds skin to muscle	Dimple starts to soften at rest and show more clearly on smiling
Following months	Scar remodels and softens; collagen fibers reorganize (NHS)	Dimple usually dynamic; depth and edge continue to change
Up to about two years	Scar reaches its settled state (NHS)	Final depth, symmetry and permanence become clear

Two things stand out from this progression. First, the phase most people find alarming, the fixed dent, is the phase least representative of the outcome. Second, the point at which a result can honestly be called final is much later than most online content implies. Health services describe scars as continuing to fade and flatten for up to two years (NHS), and the dimple is, at heart, a scar.

If your dimple still looks static well into the later months, or if it has faded to nothing, that is worth a conversation with your surgeon rather than a verdict on your own. Both outcomes can happen with careful technique, and both have options that only your treating team can weigh for you.

Who dimpleplasty is usually for, and who is usually asked to wait

Dimpleplasty is an elective cosmetic procedure. There is no medical reason to have it, which means the case for doing it rests entirely on whether the likely result, with its uncertainties, is worth the risks to you. Reputable services stress that cosmetic surgery should be a considered choice made with realistic expectations and time to reflect (NHS).

People who tend to be considered suitable candidates are adults in good general health, with a clear and specific idea of the look they want, who understand that the early result will be static, that the final depth cannot be guaranteed, and that the dimple may fade or need revision. Non-smokers heal more reliably, and cheeks with a moderate layer of fat often allow a more defined dimple than very thin cheeks.

Surgeons commonly ask certain people to wait or reconsider. Those under the age of majority are generally not treated for a purely cosmetic change of this kind. Anyone with an active mouth infection, gum disease or dental work planned near the site is usually asked to have that resolved first, because the operation passes through the cheek lining and the mouth is full of bacteria. People with conditions that impair healing, such as poorly controlled diabetes, or who take medicines that affect bleeding or immune response, need those factors reviewed by the prescribing clinician before any decision.

A separate group deserves a gentle mention. Health services advise that anyone considering cosmetic surgery during a period of emotional distress, after a relationship breakdown, or under pressure from someone else should be given time and, where appropriate, support before proceeding (NHS). A surgeon who explores your motivations is not being obstructive; that conversation is part of good care.

The decision, in every case, sits with you and the treating team together, and a good team will be as willing to say “not now” as “yes.”

How painful is dimple surgery, and what does recovery feel like?

Most people describe dimpleplasty as uncomfortable rather than painful, and the discomfort is concentrated in the first few days. The operation is usually done under local anesthetic, so the sharpest sensation many report is the numbing injection itself, followed by pressure and tugging during the procedure rather than pain.

Once the anesthetic wears off, the inside of the cheek feels sore, similar to having bitten it hard. Chewing on that side, wide yawning and broad smiling can pull on the healing area. Swelling peaks early and eases over the first week or two, following the pattern of any small surgical wound (MedlinePlus). Bruising on the outer skin is uncommon but possible.

Pain relief, if needed, is usually simple. Your surgeon will advise which over-the-counter or prescribed options are appropriate for you, and that advice should be followed rather than any general suggestion, because some common pain relievers affect bleeding and may be discouraged in the early days.

Practical care in the first week tends to focus on the mouth rather than the face. Surgeons often recommend soft foods, avoiding very hot or spicy meals, gentle rinsing with a solution they specify after eating, and keeping the area clean without scrubbing. Smoking slows wound healing and raises infection risk, and is generally discouraged around the time of any surgery (NHS).

Most people return to desk work and ordinary social life within days, though the fixed early dimple may make some people self-conscious. Strenuous exercise, contact sports and anything that raises blood pressure sharply are usually deferred on the surgeon’s advice to reduce bleeding and swelling.

A useful reframe: the physical recovery is short; the visual recovery is long. The cheek stops hurting long before the dimple stops changing.

How long does a dimpleplasty last? Is dimpleplasty permanent?

Dimpleplasty is intended to be long-lasting, because the result depends on scar tissue rather than on the stitch, and scar tissue does not dissolve. In many people the dimple, once it has become dynamic, persists indefinitely. That is the intended outcome, and it is a reasonable expectation to discuss, not a guarantee to bank on.

The honest caveat is that loss of the dimple is a recognized outcome. If the suture releases before enough scar has formed to hold the skin to the muscle, the skin can lift free and the dimple shrinks or disappears. This can happen early, after a knock, after vigorous chewing, or for no obvious reason. Because the published evidence on dimpleplasty consists of small case series rather than large systematic reviews, there is no reliable percentage to quote for how often this happens, and any surgeon who gives you a precise figure is drawing on personal experience rather than guideline data.

The opposite problem, a dimple that remains too deep or stays static, is also durable, since the same scar biology applies. Scars do soften and flatten over time, in some cases for up to two years (NHS), so a deep early result often improves. If it does not, revision to release or reduce the adhesion is possible, though it introduces new healing and new uncertainty.

Weight change matters too. A dimple sits in cheek fat. Significant weight gain can pad the hollow and make it shallower; substantial weight loss can make it appear deeper or change its shape. Aging, which thins cheek fat and loosens skin, can alter the look over decades.

So the fair answer to “is dimpleplasty permanent” is: usually long-lasting, sometimes lost, occasionally revised, and never entirely fixed, because your face keeps changing around it.

What are the downsides of dimpleplasty? Dimple surgery risks in plain language

Dimpleplasty is a small procedure, but small is not the same as risk-free. The downsides fall into two groups: complications that can affect any minor surgery, and outcomes specific to creating a dimple.

The general complications are the familiar ones. Bleeding into the cheek can cause a swollen, bruised pocket. Infection is a particular consideration because the wound is inside the mouth; signs include worsening pain, spreading redness, warmth, pus or fever, and prompt treatment is important (MedlinePlus). A reaction to the local anesthetic is uncommon but possible. Health services advise anyone considering cosmetic surgery to make sure they understand the general risks of the procedure before consenting (NHS).

The dimple-specific downsides are the ones people underestimate:

• Asymmetry, where two dimples differ in depth, size or position, or one fades while the other holds.
• A persistently static dimple that shows at rest long after the scar should have softened.
• A dimple that is too deep, pitted or puckered.
• A dimple that is too shallow, or that disappears altogether.
• A visible crease or dent in the wrong place if the marking sat off the natural line of muscle pull.
• A small lump or firm scar felt inside the cheek.
• Injury to the parotid duct, the small tube that carries saliva from the cheek gland into the mouth, or to a branch of the facial nerve that moves the cheek. Both are uncommon but can cause saliva leakage or weakness of movement.

There is also a less tangible downside: regret. Because the result is designed to be permanent and the early appearance is not representative, some people commit to a change they later wish they had not made. Reputable guidance emphasizes taking time, asking questions and never feeling rushed (NHS). Reversal is possible in principle by releasing the scar, but it is a second operation with its own healing.

Static versus dynamic dimples: the difference that decides how natural it looks

If you remember one concept from this article, make it this one. A static dimple is present all the time. A dynamic dimple appears with movement and vanishes at rest. Almost every natural dimple is dynamic. Almost every fresh surgical dimple is static. The entire settling process is the journey from one to the other.

The mechanics are simple. Immediately after surgery the suture is tied tight, so the skin is pinned to the muscle continuously, whether or not the muscle is contracting. That constant tether produces the fixed dent. As the suture dissolves, the pin is removed and only the scar remains. Scar is strong but has a little give, and it connects skin to muscle rather than holding skin down against nothing. So at rest the skin lies almost flat, and when the buccinator contracts during a smile, it pulls the scar, which pulls the skin, and the hollow appears.

Three things can interrupt that journey. If too much tissue was removed, the pocket beneath the skin is too big and the skin sinks into it even at rest. If the knot was tied very tight and the body forms dense scar, the adhesion may keep the skin permanently drawn in. And if the skin itself is thin, it has less capacity to spring back when the muscle relaxes.

Surgeons therefore make a trade-off during the operation. A firmer, deeper set at the start gives a better chance that the dimple survives once the suture goes, at the price of a longer and more obvious static phase. A gentler set looks more natural sooner but carries a higher chance of fading. Different surgeons weigh this differently, and your own anatomy shapes their choice.

This is why the question “does it look natural?” only has a fair answer once the scar has matured, which health services describe as a process lasting many months and up to two years (NHS).

Symmetry, placement and depth: what surgeons can control, and what they cannot

Patients often imagine that a skilled hand can dial in an exact result, the way a tailor sets a hem. Some elements of dimpleplasty are indeed controllable; others are handed to biology the moment the mouth is closed.

Placement is largely in the surgeon’s hands. Where the dimple sits is decided during marking, with you smiling and looking in a mirror. Most surgeons aim for the area where the cheek naturally hollows most on a full smile, and they check that the two sides sit at matching heights relative to the nose and mouth, since faces are rarely symmetrical to begin with. If you dislike the proposed position, that is the moment to say so; moving a dimple afterward means a new operation.

Initial depth is partly controllable. The amount of tissue removed and the tightness of the knot set the starting point. But the final depth depends on how much scar your body lays down and how the suture releases, which cannot be measured in advance.

Symmetry is the hardest of all. Even with identical technique on both sides, the two cheeks can heal differently. One suture may release earlier. One side may form more scar. Fat thickness often differs between sides, and many people have a smile that is naturally stronger on one side, which pulls one dimple deeper than the other. Slight asymmetry is common in natural dimples too, so a small difference is not a failure, but a large one may prompt a discussion about adjustment once healing is complete.

Shape is influenced by how the skin was engaged by the stitch. A broader bite of skin tends to produce a softer oval; a narrow bite can create a small round pit. Again, scar remodeling over the following months (NHS) blurs edges and usually softens early sharpness.

The realistic promise a surgeon can make is about position and intention, not about the exact finished picture.

What people often get wrong about dimpleplasty results

The myths around this procedure are remarkably consistent, largely because short videos reward a dramatic reveal over an honest timeline.

“The result is instant.” Something is visible instantly, but it is the static dent, not the finished dimple. The look that most people are actually paying for emerges over weeks and keeps changing for months as the scar matures (NHS). Judging at day three is like judging a painting while the primer is still wet.

“If it looks deep now, it will always look deep.” Early depth is exaggerated by suture tension and swelling. Scars soften and flatten over time, which is why many surgeons deliberately set a dimple deeper than the target at the start.

“If it fades, the surgeon did it wrong.” Loss of the dimple is a recognized outcome of a procedure that depends on the body forming scar in a specific way. Technique matters, but so does individual healing, which no one can predict.

“It is just a stitch, so it is risk-free.” The operation passes through the mouth lining, near the duct that drains saliva and near nerve branches that move the cheek. Infection, bleeding and asymmetry are real possibilities that any surgeon should discuss before you consent (NHS).

“Before-and-after photos show what I will get.” Photos show one person’s healing, usually at a flattering moment, in chosen lighting. They cannot show your fat thickness, your smile pattern or your scar behavior. Reputable guidance encourages patients to ask about typical outcomes and complications rather than to rely on curated images.

“Two dimples will match.” Even natural pairs rarely do. Mild difference is normal; marked difference is a reason to talk to your team once healing is complete, not a sign to panic early.

“It can be undone easily.” Reversal means another procedure to release the scar, with its own healing and uncertainty.

Alternatives to dimple creation surgery, including doing nothing

Because dimpleplasty is purely cosmetic and designed to be permanent, it is worth setting it beside the alternatives before committing, even if the answer is still surgery.

The first alternative is time. Health services recommend that anyone considering a cosmetic procedure allow themselves a period of reflection, seek more than one consultation if they wish, and never feel pressured into a date (NHS). Many people find that the wish for a particular feature fades or sharpens with a few months of thought, and either outcome is useful information.

The second is makeup. Contouring products can create the shadow of a dimple for photographs or events. The effect is temporary, obviously, but it is reversible, carries no surgical risk and lets you test whether you actually like how a dimple changes your face before making a permanent decision. Some surgeons encourage exactly this as a rehearsal.

The third is devices sold online that claim to create dimples by pressing or clamping the cheek. There is no credible evidence that these produce lasting dimples, and pressing hard on the cheek carries a small risk of skin irritation or bruising. They should not be presented, or bought, as a treatment.

The fourth is to reconsider the goal. Some people who ask about dimples are really describing a wish for a fuller or more animated smile, or a dislike of cheek shape. Those concerns have different considerations, and a frank consultation can separate them.

The final alternative is to proceed with surgery on a single cheek. Many natural dimples are unilateral, a single dimple is less vulnerable to the asymmetry problem, and some people simply prefer the look.

None of these options is right for everyone. The point is that a permanent change deserves to be measured against the reversible alternatives, with your treating team helping you weigh them.

Questions to ask your care team before dimple surgery

A good consultation is a two-way examination. You are assessing whether the procedure and the team suit you as much as they are assessing you. These questions tend to surface the information that matters most for dimpleplasty results.

• What training and registration do you hold for this procedure, and how often do you perform it? Health services advise checking that any practitioner is appropriately qualified and registered (NHS).
• How do you decide where to place the dimple, and can I see the marking in a mirror before we start?
• Will the early result be static, and how do you usually describe the transition to a dynamic dimple for your patients?
• Do you set the dimple deeper than the target at first, and why?
• What happens if the dimple fades, stays too deep or the two sides differ? What is your approach to revision, and how long do you wait before considering it?
• Which complications have you seen in your own practice, and how were they managed?
• How will the wound inside my mouth be closed, and what care do you want me to follow?
• Which pain relievers do you recommend and which should I avoid because of bleeding risk?
• What should I do about smoking, alcohol, exercise and dental appointments around the procedure?
• Who do I contact if something worries me after hours?

Many people also want to ask about cost. This article does not discuss prices, and none should be quoted as typical, because fees vary with location, setting and what is included. What you can and should ask is what the quoted figure covers: the consultation, the procedure, follow-up visits, and whether any revision is included or charged separately. A clear written answer protects you from surprises later.

Bring a written list, take notes, and consider asking for a second consultation before deciding. Any team confident in its work will welcome the scrutiny.

When to call your doctor after dimpleplasty

Most recoveries are uneventful, and a fixed early dimple, mild swelling and soreness when chewing are expected rather than alarming. Certain signs, however, should prompt a same-day call to your surgical team, or urgent care if you cannot reach them.

Call promptly if you notice increasing rather than easing pain after the first few days, spreading redness or warmth on the cheek, swelling that grows rather than shrinks, pus or a foul taste from the wound inside the mouth, or a fever. These can indicate infection of the surgical site, which is more likely with wounds inside the mouth and which usually responds well when treated early (MedlinePlus).

Seek help if there is bleeding from inside the cheek that does not stop with gentle pressure, or a rapidly enlarging, tense, painful lump in the cheek, which may indicate bleeding under the tissue.

Report any new weakness of the cheek or mouth on the operated side, difficulty moving that part of the face, or persistent clear fluid leaking into the mouth from the cheek, especially with eating. These may point to irritation or injury of a nerve branch or the saliva duct and need assessment.

Seek emergency care immediately for signs of a serious allergic reaction to any medicine or anesthetic, such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, or a widespread rash, or if redness on the face spreads quickly along with feeling generally unwell, which can indicate a skin infection such as cellulitis that needs urgent treatment (NHS).

Cosmetic concerns follow a different clock. A dimple that looks too deep, too static or uneven in the first weeks is usually a matter of waiting, because scar tissue continues to change for many months (NHS). Raise those worries at your scheduled follow-up, keep photographs in consistent lighting to track the change, and let your treating team decide whether and when any adjustment is appropriate. Every decision about further treatment belongs with them and with you, never with a comment thread.

Frequently asked questions

What are the downsides of dimpleplasty?

The main downsides are outcomes you cannot fully control: a dimple that stays visible at rest, fades away, sits too deep, or does not match the other side. General surgical risks also apply, including bleeding, infection inside the mouth, and uncommon injury to the saliva duct or a facial nerve branch. Because the result is designed to be permanent, regret is a real consideration, and reversal requires another procedure.

How long does a dimpleplasty last?

Dimpleplasty is intended to be long-lasting, because the dimple is held by scar tissue rather than by the stitch, and scar does not dissolve. Many dimples persist indefinitely once they have become dynamic. Some fade or disappear, particularly if the suture releases before enough scar forms. The evidence base is made up of small case series, so no reliable percentage exists for how often that happens.

Is dimpleplasty permanent, or can it be reversed?

It is designed to be permanent, but it is not irreversible. The internal scar can be surgically released if a dimple is too deep, too static or unwanted. That is a second procedure with its own healing, swelling and uncertainty, and a small dent or irregularity can remain afterward. Anyone considering the operation should treat it as a permanent change and ask the surgeon how they approach reversal before consenting.

How painful is dimple surgery?

Most people describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful. The procedure is usually done under local anesthetic, so the sharpest moment is often the numbing injection. Afterward the inside of the cheek feels sore, much like a hard bite, and chewing on that side or smiling widely can pull on the area for several days. Your surgeon will advise which pain relievers suit you, since some common ones affect bleeding.

What is the typical dimple surgery recovery time?

Physical recovery is short and visual recovery is long. Soreness and swelling from a small surgical wound usually ease over the first week or two, and most people return to ordinary activities within days. The dimple itself keeps changing far longer: it typically shifts from a fixed dent to a smile-only dimple over the following weeks, and scar tissue can continue to soften for up to two years.

Why does my new dimple show even when I am not smiling?

Because the stitch is still holding the skin against the muscle. In the early phase, that constant tension produces a static dimple that is present at rest. As the dissolvable suture weakens and scar tissue takes over the job, the skin usually lies flatter at rest and drops inward only when the cheek muscle contracts. A dimple that remains static many months later is worth discussing with your surgeon.

What are the main dimple surgery risks inside the mouth?

The opening is made in the cheek lining, an area rich in bacteria, so infection is the principal local risk. Warning signs include increasing pain, spreading redness or warmth, pus, a foul taste or fever. Bleeding into the cheek can cause a tense swelling. Less commonly, the saliva duct or a branch of the facial nerve near the site can be irritated or injured, causing fluid leakage or weakness of movement.

How expensive is a dimpleplasty?

This article does not publish prices, and no single figure would be accurate, because fees depend on location, the setting, the surgeon and what is included. Rather than comparing quoted amounts, ask each team exactly what the fee covers: consultation, the procedure, follow-up visits and any revision. A clear written breakdown matters more for your decision than the headline number, since revision policy directly affects your real cost.

Can I choose exactly how deep my dimples will be?

Only partly. The surgeon controls the starting point through how much tissue is removed and how tightly the suture is tied, and many deliberately set the dimple deeper than the target because scars soften with time. The final depth depends on how much scar your body forms and how the stitch releases, which cannot be measured in advance. Position can be chosen precisely; final depth cannot be guaranteed.

Will two surgical dimples look the same?

Often not exactly, and that is not necessarily a problem. Natural pairs of dimples are frequently uneven, and most smiles are stronger on one side, pulling one dimple deeper. Even with identical technique, the two cheeks can heal differently, with one suture releasing earlier or one side forming more scar. Mild difference reads as natural; a marked difference after healing is complete can be discussed with your surgeon.

References

• NHS: Cosmetic procedures
• NHS: Cosmetic surgery
• NHS: Scars
• NHS: Cellulitis

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor about your individual situation.