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Delve into the different categories of dimples, including Dahlia dimples
While we often find dimples endearing or attractive, there’s still a lot we don’t fully understand about them or why they appear! Many experts and researchers suggest they are a genetic trait, with cheek dimples typically occurring due to a muscle division during fetal development. Here, we’ll explore what dimples are, their causes, the many types of facial and body dimples, and address some of your most common questions about this rare and charming characteristic.
Common Types of Facial Dimples
- Vertical dimples
- Non-moving dimples
- Symmetrical cheek dimples
- Matching dimple pairs
- Chin indentations
Process Overview
Various Types of Cheek and Facial Dimples
Vertical Dimples These are the most commonly seen dimples. They appear as vertical indentations on the cheek, becoming most noticeable when a person smiles. Unlike the natural lines formed around the mouth and cheek while smiling, these dimples are typically located slightly to the side of those lines.
Horizontal or Transverse Dimples Similar to vertical dimples, these appear horizontally across the cheek due to the way the zygomaticus major muscle divides during development.
Dynamic & Static Dimples Dynamic dimples are those that become visible or more pronounced when a person smiles. These change with facial movement. Static dimples, on the other hand, remain visible even when the face is relaxed. While static dimples are commonly the result of cosmetic surgery, they can also occur naturally.
Fovea Buccalis These dimples appear higher up on the cheek, near the corners of the mouth. They are generally not as deep or as frequent as other types of dimples.
Unilateral and Bilateral Dimples These terms refer to the number and location of dimples on the face. Bilateral dimples appear on both sides of the face, while a unilateral dimple is found on just one side, typically on a single cheek.
Lower Cheek Dimples This term refers to dimples that are positioned lower on the cheek than the typical placement.
Dimple Pairs While most people have one dimple per cheek, it’s rare but possible to have two dimples on the same cheek. This is referred to as a dimple pair!
Double Dimples A dimple pair is already unusual, but double dimples are even rarer. This refers to having two separate sets of dimples, rather than just two matching ones.
Faux Dimples While most dimples are naturally occurring, some individuals opt for cosmetic surgery to create dimples where they didn’t have them before. These are often referred to as faux or artificial dimples.
Dahlia Dimples Dahlia dimples have recently gained attention on social media. These dimples are said to appear near the area where the cheeks crease when a person smiles, often referred to as the “smile line.” Some people call this a “Dahlia dimple.” While it’s possible to have a small indentation near the smile line, most of the time, this is simply the smile line.
- To determine if it’s a Dahlia dimple, smile in the mirror. If the crease is where your cheek folds near the mouth, it’s a smile line. If the dimple appears on a flat part of the skin, it might be a Dahlia dimple.
Cleft Chin A cleft chin, sometimes humorously called a “butt chin,” is a dimple located on the chin. These dimples occur when the jawbone doesn’t completely fuse, and the skin settles into the depression formed by the gap. They are natural, harmless, and sometimes even considered attractive.
- This is also referred to as “fovea mentalis.”
Fovea Inferior This is an extremely rare type of chin dimple found just beneath the corner of the mouth. It’s seldom seen and is most noticeable when the person smiles.
Types of Body Dimples
Back Dimples Also known as Dimples of Venus, Veneral dimples, or butt dimples, these dimples typically appear in pairs just above the buttocks and inward toward the crack. They are generally indentations where the sacrum (the base of the tailbone) connects to the pelvis.
- Similar to facial dimples, back dimples are often seen as a sign of beauty.
Sacral Dimples Sacral dimples are most commonly seen in newborns and are located just above the crease of the buttocks. They are typically harmless and often fade away with time, though in some cases, they may remain. The exact cause of these dimples is still unknown to researchers.
- If a sacral dimple is accompanied by other unusual features, like a patch of thick hair or a skin tag, it could indicate potential spinal issues.
Cellulite Cellulite occurs when fat deposits under the skin form and the connective tissue binding them to the skin causes the surface to appear bumpy, rippled, or dimply. It’s more common in women, but men can experience it too. Cellulite is completely natural and may even be more widespread than traditional dimples.
- While some people choose to remove cellulite, it’s not harmful and doesn’t need to be treated.
Other Body Dimples Dimples are essentially indentations in the skin, and they can appear almost anywhere on the body for a variety of reasons. For instance, you might find dimples on your shoulders where the muscles overlap, or on your elbows where the bone extends past the muscle.
- Muscle scarring can also lead to dimples on areas like the thighs, biceps, or elsewhere on the body.
What Are Dimples?
A dimple is a natural indentation in the skin. They are most commonly seen on the cheeks, especially when a person smiles, though not everyone has them. Dimples vary in shape and size and can appear in many areas of the body.
- Most people with dimples are born with them, but they can also develop for various reasons.
- In some cases, dimples may signal a health concern or condition, particularly if the dimple appears suddenly or is new.
What Causes Dimples?
Many experts believe dimples are genetic. Just like your height or hair color, dimples are often considered a dominant genetic trait. If one of your parents has dimples, you’re more likely (though not always) to have them too. However, not all researchers agree with this, and some suggest there may be other, non-hereditary causes for dimples.
- There’s still a surprising lack of research into the exact cause of dimples, which is why opinions on the matter differ.
- Nonetheless, dimples are not considered birth defects—they are perfectly natural and normal.
Most dimples arise from a split muscle or a bone gap. This is particularly true for cheek dimples. The muscle controlling the corners of your mouth, the zygomaticus major, can split before birth, creating a dimple where the muscle separates. This results in a depression in the skin.
- Generally, there are no negative effects from a dimple caused by a split muscle, and the muscle continues to function normally.
- Other types of dimples, like a cleft chin, occur due to an unfused bone beneath the skin, with the skin conforming to the gap and creating a dimple.
Are Dimples a Good Thing?
Dimples are often seen as attractive, and in some cultures, lucky. In many cultures, particularly facial dimples, are seen as an appealing feature. They are considered cute, interesting, charming, and rare. Some cultures view dimples as a sign of good fortune or associate them with heroism or moral virtue.
- However, this is mostly based on superstition and tradition! Having dimples doesn’t necessarily make you luckier or better than others.
How Rare Are Dimples?
Only 20-30% of people have facial dimples. Dimples are relatively uncommon! Though there’s not much solid research on the topic, experts estimate that around 1 in 5 to 1 in 3 individuals have facial dimples. That means the majority of people don’t have them. And when it comes to body dimples, the numbers are likely even lower, as they’re usually hidden and people might not even realize they have them.
- Single cheek dimples are rarer than paired dimples, but there’s a lack of reliable data on this specific statistic.
Can You Develop Dimples Later in Life?
Yes, dimples can appear or vanish as you age or change weight. A baby born with dimples may lose them as they grow and the fat in their face shifts. Conversely, someone who didn’t have dimples might develop them later in life as their body undergoes changes. Some suggest that dimples can be linked to weight fluctuations or muscle definition, but there isn’t enough research to back these claims yet.
Dimples can also be created through surgery. Cosmetic surgery can now create dimples. Typically, the procedure involves inserting a stitch under the skin to attach the cheek to the muscles beneath, forming a dimple. Sometimes, facial fillers are added to enhance the new dimple’s appearance, according to licensed esthetician Jessica Lu.
- Some people believe that you can naturally develop dimples through facial exercises or certain products, but these methods are mostly folk remedies and the results tend to be temporary.
