Dimples: What Patients Need to Know

Dimples are small indentations in the skin, most often seen on the cheeks or chin. They are usually a normal inherited facial feature, but a new, one-sided, painful, or changing dimple may need medical assessment.

Overview: what dimples are

Dimples are small natural indentations that appear in the skin, most often on the cheeks or chin. In most people, they are simply a variation in facial anatomy rather than a health problem. They may be visible all the time or only when a person smiles, talks, or makes certain facial expressions.

Cheek dimples are usually related to the way the facial muscles and overlying skin connect. Chin dimples, sometimes called a cleft chin, are linked more to the structure of the chin and lower jaw area. Both can run in families, although the exact pattern of inheritance is not always simple.

Many patients ask whether dimples mean anything about overall health. In general, the answer is no. Dimples are usually a cosmetic or inherited feature, not a sign of disease. However, if a dimple appears suddenly or changes over time, a medical evaluation can help rule out an underlying skin, soft-tissue, dental, or nerve-related cause.

Types of dimples and how they differ

The two most common types are cheek dimples and chin dimples. Cheek dimples are usually seen near the corners of the mouth and often become more noticeable during smiling. They may appear on one side or both sides of the face, and their depth can vary from subtle to more defined.

Chin dimples create a small central indentation or groove in the chin. Unlike cheek dimples, they are often visible even when the face is at rest. Chin dimples are usually related to the shape of the underlying soft tissue and bone rather than facial expression alone.

Some people also notice small indentations elsewhere on the body, but these are not generally described in the same way as facial dimples. A doctor may use different terms if a skin indentation is caused by scar tissue, inflammation, fat loss, or another medical condition. This is one reason why a new or unusual dimple should not automatically be assumed to be a normal facial feature.

• Cheek dimples: usually dynamic and most visible with smiling
• Chin dimples: often present at rest and linked to chin structure
• Acquired skin indentations: may be due to injury, inflammation, surgery, or other causes

What causes dimples?

Natural dimples are usually caused by the way facial tissues are arranged. In the cheeks, a common explanation is a variation in the zygomaticus major muscle, one of the muscles involved in smiling. In some people, this muscle may be divided or attached in a way that creates a small pull on the skin, producing a dimple when the muscle contracts.

The skin, subcutaneous fat, and connective tissue also play a role. A tight attachment between deeper tissues and the skin surface can create a visible indentation. This is why dimples can look more or less noticeable as facial fullness changes with age, weight change, or muscle tone.

Chin dimples are somewhat different. They are usually related to the way the two sides of the lower jaw and soft tissues come together during development. This can create a central cleft or small depression. In many cases, it is simply a hereditary facial trait.

Not every indentation is a classic dimple. In some situations, an apparent dimple can result from scarring, previous infection, localized fat loss, trauma, or a skin lesion tethering the skin downward. If a patient is concerned about a new indentation, it can be helpful to consider whether there was any recent injury, dental problem, skin change, or facial procedure.

Are dimples inherited, and can they change over time?

Dimples often appear to run in families, so genetics clearly plays a role. Still, they are not inherited in a perfectly predictable way. A parent with dimples may have a child without them, and dimples may vary in location, depth, and symmetry even among close relatives.

Dimples can also change throughout life. In children, facial fullness can make dimples look more prominent, while in adults they may become subtler or more visible depending on changes in body weight, skin elasticity, and muscle tone. Some dimples become less obvious with age, while others remain stable for many years.

A dimple that has been present since childhood is usually not concerning. By contrast, a dimple that develops later in life deserves more attention, especially if it is one-sided, fixed, or associated with pain, swelling, numbness, weakness, a lump, or a visible skin lesion. In those situations, the indentation may not be a true inherited dimple at all.

When dimples may need medical evaluation

Most dimples do not require tests or treatment. A doctor may evaluate a dimple when its appearance is new, changing, or accompanied by other symptoms. The goal is not because dimples are usually dangerous, but because facial indentations can sometimes reflect skin tethering, infection, inflammation, trauma, or a deeper structural issue.

During an assessment, a clinician may ask when the indentation first appeared, whether it changes with smiling, and whether there are symptoms such as tenderness, redness, swelling, dental pain, facial weakness, or recent weight loss. The examination may include the skin, oral cavity, facial muscles, and lymph nodes. Depending on the suspected cause, referral to dermatology, plastic surgery, dentistry, or ear, nose, and throat specialists may be appropriate.

Imaging is not needed for most natural dimples. However, ultrasound, CT, or MRI can sometimes be used if there is concern about a mass, salivary gland issue, or soft-tissue abnormality. If the problem appears related to the skin, a dermatologist may evaluate for scar tissue, cysts, or other lesions, including conditions such as skin cancer when a persistent skin change is suspicious.

• A new dimple appearing in adulthood
• One-sided facial indentation with swelling or pain
• Skin dimpling over a lump or firm area
• A dimple associated with facial weakness or numbness
• An indentation after trauma, surgery, or infection that is worsening rather than improving

Treatment options: when care is cosmetic and when it is medical

For natural dimples that are stable and symptom-free, no treatment is medically necessary. Some people enjoy this facial feature and simply want reassurance that it is normal. Others may ask about changing their appearance for cosmetic reasons. In that case, a discussion with a qualified plastic surgeon is the safest place to start.

Cosmetic options vary depending on whether a person wants to create dimples or reduce the appearance of a chin cleft or cheek indentation. Surgical dimple creation, often called dimpleplasty, may be offered in selected cases under the wider field of plastic surgery. Other facial contour procedures may sometimes be discussed, but suitability depends on the person’s anatomy, goals, skin quality, and general health.

If an indentation is caused by another condition, treatment focuses on the cause rather than the dimple itself. For example, management may involve dermatologic care for a skin lesion, dental treatment for an underlying oral issue, or surgical assessment if scar tissue or a soft-tissue mass is pulling the skin inward. In selected situations, reconstructive approaches such as facial soft-tissue surgery may be considered to improve contour after injury or scarring.

Patients considering any cosmetic procedure should understand the possible risks, including asymmetry, infection, scarring, and dissatisfaction with the result. A thoughtful consultation is important because facial anatomy is highly individual, and what looks natural for one person may not suit another.

Self-care, expectations, and emotional considerations

Because natural dimples are usually harmless, self-care mainly means observation rather than treatment. It can be useful to note whether the dimple has always been present, whether it appears only with expression, and whether there are any associated skin or mouth symptoms. Taking periodic photographs may help a doctor judge whether the appearance is stable or changing over time.

Skin health also matters. Good sun protection and attention to new or changing lesions can help distinguish a harmless facial feature from a skin problem that needs review. If there is a nearby spot that bleeds, crusts, changes color, or does not heal, a skin examination is appropriate.

Some people feel self-conscious about dimples, while others value them as part of their identity. Cosmetic concerns are valid, but they should be approached realistically. A supportive discussion with a specialist can help clarify whether the goal is achievable and whether a procedure is likely to match the patient’s expectations.

Near the end of the care pathway, some patients seek an opinion from a center with experience in facial anatomy, skin health, and aesthetic procedures. Acibadem International’s multidisciplinary specialists in JCI-accredited hospitals evaluate and treat facial concerns, including cases where a dimple is cosmetic and cases where it may reflect an underlying condition.

When to seek medical care

Medical care is advisable if a dimple is new, noticeably changing, painful, or linked with other symptoms. This is especially important if there is facial swelling, a lump, redness, fever, trouble opening the mouth, numbness, weakness, or a nearby skin lesion. These findings do not automatically mean something serious, but they should be assessed rather than ignored.

Urgent evaluation is more appropriate when facial weakness develops suddenly, when there is rapidly increasing swelling, or when signs of infection are present. A clinician can decide whether the cause is a local skin issue, dental problem, salivary gland disorder, or another condition that needs prompt attention.

If a patient is considering cosmetic creation or correction of dimples, a non-urgent consultation with a specialist is reasonable. In some cases, related options within maxillofacial surgery or facial aesthetic planning may be discussed if chin or cheek structure contributes to the concern.

Frequently asked questions

Are dimples considered a medical problem?

Usually not. Dimples are most often a normal variation in facial anatomy and do not affect health. A doctor is more likely to evaluate a dimple if it is new, changing, painful, or associated with other symptoms.

Why do some people have cheek dimples only when they smile?

Cheek dimples often become visible when smiling because they are related to how certain facial muscles pull on the skin. When the muscle contracts, it creates a small indentation. At rest, the dimple may be faint or not visible at all.

Can dimples appear later in life?

A true inherited facial dimple is usually present from early life, even if it becomes more or less noticeable over time. If an indentation appears for the first time in adulthood, it may reflect a change in skin, fat, muscle, or underlying tissue. That is a good reason to have it checked.

Are chin dimples and cheek dimples caused by the same thing?

Not exactly. Cheek dimples are often linked to facial muscle variation and skin attachment, while chin dimples are more related to the structure of the chin and lower facial tissues. Both are usually harmless, but they arise from somewhat different anatomy.

Can dimples go away on their own?

Yes, they can become less visible with age, changes in facial fullness, or changes in skin elasticity. In some people they remain stable for life, and in others they become subtler over time. This is usually a normal change rather than a sign of illness.

Is it possible to create dimples with surgery?

Yes, some people choose cosmetic dimple-creation surgery. The procedure should only be discussed with a qualified specialist who can explain whether it is appropriate, what result is realistic, and what risks are involved. As with any facial procedure, careful planning matters.

References

• American Academy of Dermatology
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• National Institutes of Health
• Mayo Clinic
• Cleveland Clinic

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.