Dimples, the small indentations that appear on the cheeks, are a highly sought-after facial feature. These depressions are typically visible only when a person smiles. To understand if this trait is a gift of nature or something that can be acquired, we must first examine the biological and genetic mechanisms that create them naturally.
The Biological Basis of Dimples
A cheek dimple is an anatomical variation, often regarded as a minor structural defect in the zygomaticus major muscle. This muscle is the primary one used to pull the corners of the mouth up when smiling. In people without dimples, the muscle extends as a single structure from the cheekbone to the corner of the mouth.
In individuals with natural cheek dimples, the zygomaticus major is often bifid, meaning it splits into two separate bundles near its insertion point. This split structure causes a fascial strand to attach directly to the overlying dermis of the cheek. When the person smiles, the tethered skin is pulled inward, creating the characteristic depression. This dermal tethering effect is the definition of a true, naturally occurring dimple.
Chin dimples, or cleft chins, are formed by a different anatomical mechanism. They result from an underlying fissure or incomplete fusion of the two halves of the lower jawbone (mandible) during development. Cheek dimples (fovea buccalis) are solely a function of the specific variation in the zygomaticus major muscle.
Genetic Inheritance Patterns
The presence of cheek dimples is widely considered a heritable trait passed down through families. For many years, dimples were classified as an autosomal dominant trait, suggesting that only one copy of the associated gene was needed for a child to express the feature. The reality, however, is much more complex than a single dominant gene.
Modern genetic research suggests that dimples are an irregular dominant trait, influenced by multiple genetic factors. This complexity helps explain variable penetrance, where a person may inherit the genetic blueprint but never physically manifest the feature. Conversely, a child may exhibit dimples even if both parents do not visibly possess them. While a genetic inclination exists, the expression of dimples is not guaranteed.
Addressing Non-Genetic Acquisition
Since natural dimples are a result of a specific inherited muscle anatomy, acquiring them later in life without intervention is not scientifically possible. Methods popularized online, such as performing facial exercises, pressing the cheeks with fingers, or using suction devices, are ineffective for creating permanent dimples. These techniques cannot alter the underlying structure of the zygomaticus major muscle or force a lasting dermal attachment. Any temporary indentation resulting from these practices is purely superficial and quickly disappears.
For those who desire the feature, the only reliable method for non-natural acquisition is a surgical procedure called dimpleplasty. This minimally invasive, outpatient procedure is designed to intentionally mimic the natural muscle defect. During dimpleplasty, a small incision is made inside the cheek, and the surgeon uses a suture to connect the inner cheek tissue to the dermis at the desired location. This suture creates a controlled scar that permanently tethers the skin to the underlying muscle, creating an indentation when the patient smiles.
While dimpleplasty offers a permanent solution, individuals may also experience temporary indentations due to shifts in facial fat. Dimples are often more prominent in children who have more subcutaneous fat in their cheeks, which can disappear as they mature and lose “baby fat.” Significant weight fluctuation can also occasionally lead to temporary changes in cheek contour, but these are not true, structurally-caused dimples.