Buzz
Dimples are small indentations or folds in the flesh on the cheek. They are caused by a slight muscle deformity that makes the skin on the cheek pull together during movement, creating an outward dimple. This charming feature is often genetic. However, many individuals born without natural dimples can still create them through various methods, ranging from simple techniques (makeup) to more permanent solutions (surgery).
Steps
Perform dimpling exercises
Pucker your lips and suck in your cheeks. To start exercising the muscles in your cheeks, make a facial expression as if you're eating a lemon or something very sour. Your lips should slightly pucker or push outward, and the middle of your cheeks should gently sink in. Do not clench your teeth as this will prevent your cheeks from sinking in, but make sure your lips are pursed.
- Note – this is a traditional method. In other words, it is not scientifically proven, but based on vague, unverified experience. Therefore, this method does not guarantee effectiveness.
- Your cheeks should naturally sink in, with the deepest part of the dimple located between your upper and lower teeth, in the middle of the front and back of your mouth.
- If you're unsure how this expression looks, try eating something sour – the natural reaction to sourness is the expression this exercise is mimicking.
Press and hold the dimple points. Identify the deepest spots on your cheeks. Gently press with your index fingers on both cheeks. Hold these points while preparing to move your mouth.
- You can also use your thumb or the end of a pencil to press on these spots if it’s more comfortable.
Smile and adjust your fingers if needed. Slowly stretch your facial muscles as if you’re smiling widely, keeping your index fingers in their original positions on your face. You need to smile with your mouth open and the corners of your mouth stretched, as natural dimples usually appear when a person smiles broadly. Now, the tips of your fingers must be placed near the corners of your mouth, as this is where natural dimples typically form.
- Use a mirror to check. If your finger positions seem off, adjust them accordingly.
- Use your fingertip or pencil end to press firmly at the spot where you want the dimple to appear. For a temporary dimple, release your hand quickly. You can take a photo if you like. Keep in mind, these dimples will disappear as soon as you relax your mouth muscles.
Continue pressing for another 30 minutes or longer. To train the cheek muscles to form dimples for a longer duration, you need to keep pressing those points for at least another 30 minutes.
- The longer you press on the “dimple points,” the higher your chances of making the dimple last longer.
- In the past, there were mechanical devices used to create dimples by applying constant pressure to points on the face. These devices have not been scientifically validated for effectiveness, but some people claim they worked. This exercise mimics the action of those devices.
Repeat daily. Keep practicing the “dimple exercises” for 30 minutes each day over several weeks. If after a month you still haven’t formed a dimple, you may want to abandon this method. This is a technique not supported by scientific evidence, and is only a folk remedy, so if it doesn’t work for you, it might just not be effective for your body.
Create fake dimples with makeup
- As you smile, wrinkles will form around your mouth. Your "dimples" should be outside of these lines, starting from the highest point of your upper lip.
- Make sure to smile broadly, but without losing your natural look. Dimples become more prominent with a big smile, so when deciding where to draw them, you'll find the right spot by smiling naturally, not shyly. Don’t hold back!
- Note – this method works best for creating temporary dimples for photos. These dimples might look unnatural when not in a photo setting.
Mark the highest point of the imaginary dimples. Dimples typically appear as short indentations or crescent shapes. Using a dark brown eyeliner or eyebrow pencil, make a small dot at the top point of the dimple you want to draw.
- Dark brown works best because it blends into the skin more naturally. Avoid using black eyeliner or other colors.
Draw a crescent shape on your cheek. Once you've marked the highest points, relax your mouth muscles. Starting from the dot, draw a small, slightly curved line. Use the pencil you marked with to draw.
- The line shouldn’t exceed 2.5 cm below the dot. It should be only slightly curved – a bit straighter than the curve of your fingernail.
Blend evenly or redraw if necessary. After drawing the dimples, make sure to refine the lines for a more natural, subtle look. You can use your finger or a brush to blend the drawing into your skin, using an up-and-down motion rather than side-to-side.
- One drawing might not create the desired depth, so you’ll likely need to redraw and blend several times.
Smile to check the result. Look in the mirror and check your newly created dimples – are they even? Are they too dark or not dark enough? Do they look unnatural under certain lighting? If something seems off about your drawn dimples, don’t hesitate to wash it off and start over.
Simulating natural dimples by getting a dimple piercing
Opt for professional piercing services. Just like any body piercing, getting a dimple piercing comes with the risk of infection if hygiene isn't ensured. Do not attempt to do it yourself at home. Always visit a professional and reputable place—those that are trained and equipped with proper tools to minimize the risks of infection or complications.
- Most professional piercing establishments refuse to pierce dimples for individuals under 18, even with parental consent. However, the age requirement can vary depending on the region and country.
- Note – many professional piercers do not recommend piercing dimples at any age. Unlike ear and nose piercings, which only go through skin and cartilage, dimple piercings penetrate muscle, making it riskier for nerve damage and complications to occur.
Clean thoroughly. A good and reputable piercing place will carefully clean both sides of your cheeks before starting the procedure. The outer cheek skin should be washed with antibacterial soap and disinfected with alcohol or other sterilization methods to eliminate microorganisms that could cause complications during the piercing.
- You will also be asked to rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce the risk of infection from harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Ensure all tools are sanitized. Reputable piercing establishments use single-use piercing guns and sterilize equipment using an autoclave or single-use needles (separate from the gun). The needle used for the piercing must be sterilized. Never pierce with unsterilized needles. Additionally:
- The needle should be pre-heated before use to further sterilize it.
- The piercer's hands should be thoroughly washed with antibacterial soap. Piercers may wear disposable gloves or not, depending on the establishment.
- The jewelry should also be cleaned with an antibacterial solution.
Get the piercing done. The piercer will quickly insert the needle through the skin at the exact location of your natural dimple. Immediately afterward, they will insert the jewelry into the hole and apply a disinfecting solution.
Proper aftercare for your piercing. The piercing site needs proper care to minimize the risk of infection or complications. Ask your piercer for instructions – you may need to clean the pierced area with a salt solution several times daily until it heals.
- Your piercing studio may provide a cleaning solution, but you can also prepare your own by mixing 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of salt into 250 ml of distilled water.
- Use sterile cotton balls and the salt solution to clean the piercing. Gently dab around the jewelry and carefully wipe beneath it.
- Avoid playing with the jewelry during the healing period. Touching the piercing with your hands can transfer bacteria to the wound and may shift the jewelry, causing irritation.
Keep the jewelry in for 1 to 3 months. This is the minimum time for the piercing to heal. The piercing must fully heal before it is safe to remove the jewelry. Removing it too early may cause the hole to close. Waiting at least 1 month (and up to 3 months) is enough for the wound to partially heal.
- When you remove the jewelry, your skin will quickly begin the self-healing process. During the healing period, you'll have two small holes in your cheeks. But once healed, you’ll have two dimples just like natural ones.
- During this time, monitor the jewelry. Some people may have allergic reactions to certain metal types, especially cheaper ones.
- Note – The dimple indentations will likely remain visible! You’ll always have two “dimples” on your cheeks, regardless of your facial expression.
Advice
- Dimples can be very charming, but always stay true to yourself.
- You might try using a bottle cap to create a temporary cheek indent. However, this will not produce natural-looking dimples.
- You could also consider cosmetic surgery. Although surgery isn't a “natural” method for obtaining dimples, it can be very effective.
- Don’t let the desire for dimples lower your self-esteem or mental health. If the thought of dimples becomes an obsession or negatively impacts other areas of your life, seek guidance from a healthcare professional.
Warning
- Note that getting dimple piercings can cause long-term and unpredictable damage to the muscles in your cheeks. Improper aftercare can also lead to serious infections. Only proceed with this method if you are fully prepared for the possible consequences.
Items You Need
- Mirror
- Pencil
- Antiseptic solution
- Salt solution
- Dark brown eyeliner or eyebrow pencil
- Makeup brush
