The question of whether dimples become more pronounced with weight loss is a common one, linking a specific genetic trait to changes in body composition. Dimples are small indentations, most notably on the cheeks, and their visibility is closely tied to the underlying anatomy and the volume of soft tissue surrounding them. Exploring this requires understanding what causes a dimple and how facial fat distribution shifts during weight loss. This analysis reveals a mechanism that affects the appearance of true facial dimples but does not apply to all indentations across the body.
The Anatomy of a Dimple
Facial dimples are the result of an anatomical variation in the zygomaticus major muscle, the primary muscle responsible for lifting the corners of the mouth when smiling. This feature is often caused by a bifid, or double, structure of the muscle. In people with dimples, a second, inferior bundle of the muscle exists. This extra bundle attaches directly to the dermis, the layer of skin beneath the epidermis. When the person smiles, this shortened muscle bundle contracts, pulling the skin inward and creating the characteristic indentation. This dermal tethering effect is the structural basis for the dimple.
How Weight Loss Affects Dimple Appearance
Facial dimples are often surrounded by a layer of subcutaneous fat, particularly in the cheeks. This fat acts as a cushion, which can fill out the natural indentation caused by the tethered muscle attachment. When a person loses body weight, the volume of this subcutaneous fat decreases. The reduction in fat volume lessens the padding that previously masked the indentation. As the cheeks slim down, the fixed attachment point of the zygomaticus major muscle becomes more prominent relative to the surrounding tissue. Consequently, the dimple appears “deeper” or more noticeable. The anatomical structure of the dimple itself does not change, but the loss of supporting facial fat accentuates the pre-existing depression.
Different Types of Dimples and Weight Change
Not all indentations on the body are caused by the same muscular mechanism as cheek dimples, meaning weight loss affects them differently.
Chin Dimples (Cleft Chin)
A chin dimple, also known as a cleft chin, is primarily a feature of the underlying bone and muscle structure. This trait results from an incomplete fusion of the two halves of the lower jawbone, or mandible, during development. Because the appearance of a chin dimple relates to bone structure, and not primarily to subcutaneous fat thickness, its depth is not significantly altered by weight loss.
Sacral Dimples (Dimples of Venus)
Another common feature, known as the Dimples of Venus or sacral dimples, also has a distinct cause unrelated to fat volume. These bilateral indentations on the lower back are located directly over the sacroiliac joints. A short ligament connects the skin in this area to the underlying pelvis. The structure of these dimples is fixed by this ligamentous connection to the bone. While reducing overall body fat may contribute to a clearer outline of the lower back, the depth of the sacral dimple itself does not deepen in the same way a facial dimple does.