Cheek Dimples: How They Form, And How To Get Them - Healthline

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Why Do Some People Have Cheek Dimples?

Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M.D. — Written by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. on April 17, 2019

How cheek dimples form
Genetics
Are dimples attractive?
How to get cheek dimples
Takeaway

Cheek dimples are likely a genetic trait, although the specifics of how they’re inherited still aren’t clear.

Dimples are small indentations that can be found on your skin. They can occur on different places of the body, including the cheeks, chin, and lower back.

Cheek dimples can be found on the sides of the mouth. You can have a dimple on both sides of your mouth or on just one side.

You’ve probably noticed that some people have cheek dimples and others don’t. That’s because cheek dimples are formed by differences in the muscles and skin of the face.

They’re often believed to be inherited in a genetically dominant way, although there’s some debate about this.

So how many people have dimples? While the prevalence of dimples may vary by population, one study of over 2,300 people found that about 37 percent of participants had cheek dimples. Continue reading to discover more.

How cheek dimples form

Dimples are sometimes caused by a change in a facial muscle called the zygomaticus major. This muscle is involved in facial expression. It’s the one that helps to raise the corners of your mouth when you smile.

In people without dimples, the zygomaticus major muscle usually begins at a bone in your cheek called the zygomatic bone. It then runs downward, connecting to the corner of your mouth.

In people with dimples, the zygomaticus major may divide into two separate bundles of muscle on its way down to the mouth. One bundle connects at the corner of the mouth. The other bundle connects below the corner of the mouth and is also tethered to the skin above it.

This split in the muscle can be referred to as a double or bifid zygomaticus major muscle. Movement of the skin over the double zygomaticus major muscle when you smile causes the dimple to form.

Because cheek dimples can result from a muscular variation that occurs during fetal development, they’re sometimes mistakenly referred to as a birth defect.

It’s important to remember that not only are cheek dimples rather common, but they also don’t have any negative health effects.

The genetics

You inherit one set of genes from your mother and another from your father. Most genes have at least two variations, which are called alleles. Alleles can be dominant or recessive.

Dominant traits are exactly that — they tend to “dominate” over recessive traits. If both parents display a dominant trait, the chances that their child will also display that same trait are very high.

What does this mean for cheek dimples?

It’s often said that cheek dimples are an inherited dominant trait. However, very little research has actually been done into the actual genetics of cheek dimples. It is not known if dimples are truly inherited or not.

People with cheek dimples do tend to have children with cheek dimples. This suggests that it’s a heritable dominant trait. However, not every couple with dimples has a child with dimples.

Additionally, while some individuals may have dimples for their entire life, in others dimples can actually change over time. Someone with dimples as a child may not have them as an adult. Additionally, a child born without dimples may develop them later on in their childhood.

Because the inheritance pattern of cheek dimples can be unpredictable, some researchers classify them as an irregular dominant trait. This means that cheek dimples are often, but not always, inherited as a dominant trait.

Also, dimple inheritance may not be as simple as one set of alleles. Multiple genes could actually influence cheek dimples. More research would need to be done to find the actual answer.

Are dimples considered attractive?

If you were to ask a group of people if they found dimples attractive, you’d probably get a large variety of answers or opinions. Some may say that dimples make people look more youthful or approachable.

Dimples are indeed associated with beauty and even good luck in some cultures. But what does research say about the perception of dimples? There’s actually a limited amount of studies on this subject.

One study found that men preferred women with facial traits similar to their own, including eye color, hair color, and chin dimples. Cheek dimples weren’t evaluated in the study, but perhaps people with dimples prefer other people with dimples.

Dimples may also help us communicate with others. A study on human facial features suggests that the presence of features such as a dimple may make an expression or smile more noticeable, or may convey more information about the intensity of a person’s expression.

What if you want cheek dimples?

Do you want cheek dimples even though you don’t have them? There’s now a type of plastic surgery available that creates cheek dimples. It’s called a dimpleplasty.

During dimpleplasty, a small incision is made at the site where the dimple will be. Then, a small amount of tissue is carefully removed. A small stitch, called a sling, is passed through the skin and muscle on either side of the area. This brings the skin and muscle together and creates the dimple.

If you’re interested in this procedure, set up an appointment with a plastic surgeon to talk about the benefits and risks.

The bottom line

Cheek dimples may result from a difference in the structure of one of the muscles in your face. They’re likely a genetic trait, although the specifics of how they’re inherited still aren’t clear.

Many people may find cheek dimples to be cute or attractive. However, the scientific reasons why aren’t completely known.

People who want cheek dimples can now have them created via plastic surgery. If you’re considering dimpleplasty, be sure to speak to your doctor and weigh the potential risks and benefits beforehand.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M.D. — Written by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. on April 17, 2019

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