Dimples - Causes and Types

Introduction

A few common features that carry aesthetic value include a perfect smile, the shape of the face, and the jawline. Dimples, especially cheek dimples, are also one of these. It is commonly believed that dimples on the cheeks signify beauty. Therefore, someone with dimples on the cheeks is often considered more beautiful and attractive than those who do not have them.

Dimples are sometimes referred to as genetic defects, birth defects, or anomalies because they are abnormal hollow depressions. Not everyone has dimples; some people develop them during their teenage years, while others may have them for a lifetime or only during childhood. Dimples can appear on one or both cheeks and may be temporary or permanent. Recent trends in cosmetic surgery have popularized dimple creation through a minimally invasive procedure known as dimpleplasty, which is becoming increasingly common for aesthetic enhancement.

What Are Dimples?

Dimples, also called gelatin, are indentations (hollow spaces or depressions caused by bending) on the skin.

Where Do Dimples Commonly Occur?

Dimples can occur in various parts of the body, commonly seen on:

• Cheeks.
• Chin.
• Butt.
• Thighs.
• Lower back.
• Shoulder.
• Abdomen (stomach).

What Are the Types of Dimples?

The different types of dimples include:

• Fovea Buccalis - Dimple on the cheeks.
• Fovea Mentalis - Dimple on the chin.
• Fossa Supraspinous - Dimple on the shoulder.
• Elbow dimples.
• Fossae Lumbales Laterales - Dimple on the back.

What Are the Causes of Dimples on the Cheek?

The human face has four major muscles responsible for basic expressions like fear, sadness, smiling, and anger. Facial muscles are unique as they surround the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth differently. For example, the buccinator muscle on the cheeks is a thin muscle that aids in chewing by holding the cheeks against the teeth.

Recent anatomical studies note that the zygomaticus major muscle is the primary cause of smile-induced dimples. This muscle, located around the mouth, is responsible for creating a smiling expression. A dermal tethering effect of the zygomaticus major muscle causes dimples on the cheeks. This occurs when the muscle bands bifurcate into two, leading to a hollow depression in the skin. Dimples become more prominent during smiling as the muscle contracts or stretches, pulling the skin inward. This can be unilateral (on one cheek) or bilateral (on both cheeks), occurring in both men and women.

What Percent of People Have Dimples?

The prevalence of dimples varies across different populations. For instance, a study in the United States found that approximately 20 percent of the population has dimples. In a study from southwestern Nigeria, 100 out of 500 people were reported to have cheek dimples. Another study from Karnataka, India, reported that 73 percent of participants had unilateral cheek dimples.

Which Muscles Cause Dimples?

The zygomaticus major muscle is responsible for causing dimples on the cheeks.

Does Smiling Cause Dimples on the Cheek?

Yes, smiling triggers the contraction of the zygomaticus major muscle, causing the skin above it to move, resulting in dimples.

Are Dimples a Birth Defect?

The abnormal insertion of muscle bands causes dimples in the skin, often developing during fetal growth. For this reason, dimples are sometimes considered minor birth defects. However, experts who focus on genetics indicate that dimples are inherently benign and not defects in any way.

Are Dimples a Deformity or Genetic Defect?

According to some researchers, while the genetic basis of dimple formation is not fully understood, it is widely believed that dimples are hereditary. They may be associated with chromosome 16, which is linked to the genetic transfer of traits from parents to children. If both parents have dimples, the chances of the child inheriting them range from 50 percent to 100 percent. If only one parent has dimples, the chances decrease to 50 percent. If neither parent has dimples, the chances are very low.

What Is the Role of Genetics in Dimple Formation?

A few people popularized noninvasive methods developed to produce temporary dimples. Among them are exercises to develop cheek muscles, which may be supposed to create an indentation in time. According to some proponents of this method, if people apply constant pressure on their cheeks at different places and perform facial expressions, such as smiling, they can mimic dimples without surgery. While their efficacy is debated, these procedures are far less harmful and cheaper than dimpleplasty, especially for people who are opposed to medical intervention.

When Do Dimples Appear?

Dimples may appear at birth, during childhood, or even in later stages of life. Some fade with time, while others remain permanent. Ironically, it may give way to weight gain to fill up the face and cheeks with fat, increasing dimples. Temporary dimples can also be created using a non-surgical approach, such as a dimple trainer, which may stimulate dimple formation.

How to Get Dimples?