Plastic surgery restores form and function through reconstructive procedures, cosmetic enhancements, and body contouring.
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For the first few weeks to months, the dimples will be static. This means they will be present as indentations even when the face is completely relaxed. This is a regular part of the healing process due to the initial tension of the suture.
Patients should be prepared for this aesthetic. It can look slightly unnatural initially. As the suture absorbs and the tissue relaxes, the skin will begin to flatten out when not smiling, transitioning the dimple from static to dynamic.
The ultimate goal is a dynamic dimple that appears only upon smiling. This transition happens gradually over 1 to 3 months. As the internal scar tissue matures and elongates slightly, it allows the skin to rest flat.
However, when the muscle contracts during a smile, the scar tissue tether engages, pulling the skin in. The speed of this transition varies from patient to patient. In some cases, a faint, shallow depression may always be visible at rest, which is generally considered acceptable.
Most surgeons use absorbable sutures that dissolve within a few weeks to months. The longevity of the dimple does not depend on the suture staying there forever; it depends on the scar tissue that forms around the suture.
The suture creates the initial tunnel. The body’s healing response creates a fibrous adhesion along that tunnel. By the time the suture dissolves, the adhesion should be strong enough to maintain the dimple permanently.
Scar tissue undergoes a maturation process that can take up to a year. Initially, the internal scar may feel firm or hard (induration). This can sometimes be felt with the tongue or fingers.
Over time, this scar tissue softens and becomes more pliable. This softening contributes to the dimple’s natural look and feel. A gentle massage of the area after the initial healing period (3-4 weeks) can help soften any hard nodules.
Success rates for dimpleplasty are high, but retention varies. In most cases, the dimple is permanent. However, in some patients, the adhesion may loosen or break over time, causing the dimple to fade or disappear altogether.
Factors affecting retention include the amount of cheek fat, the strength of the muscle, and the patient’s healing response. If a dimple fades significantly, a revision procedure can be performed to recreate the tether.
Even after the incision heals, maintaining good oral hygiene is essential. The internal scar can create a small recess inside the cheek where food might get trapped. Regular brushing and rinsing help keep the area healthy.
Long term, no special maintenance is required for the dimple itself. It becomes a natural part of the face. The patient can treat their skin and mouth as they usually would.
Interestingly, dimples can fluctuate. They might appear deeper in the morning due to facial fluid retention or shallower when dehydrated. Weight gain can sometimes make the dimples appear deeper as the surrounding cheek gets fuller.
Conversely, significant weight loss might make the dimples less pronounced if the subcutaneous fat layer thins out, reducing the contrast between the surface and the tether point.
Significant changes in body weight can alter the appearance of the dimples. Gaining weight adds volume to the cheeks, which can make the dimple look more profound and more pronounced as the tether holds the skin down against the expanding fat.
Losing extreme amounts of weight can cause facial skin laxity. If the skin becomes too loose, the dimple might look like a fold or a wrinkle rather than a cute indentation. Maintaining a relatively stable weight helps preserve the optimal aesthetic result.
As the face ages, skin loses elasticity and begins to sag. The underlying fat pads also shift downward. A surgically created dimple will age along with the rest of the face.
Sometimes, an aging dimple can elongate into a vertical crease or fold. This is a natural progression for both natural and surgical dimples. In some cases, facelift surgery later in life may need to be adjusted to preserve or reposition the dimple.
Surgeons typically have a policy regarding revisions. If a dimple fails to take or is asymmetrical, a touch-up might be offered. It is usually recommended to wait at least 3 to 6 months before attempting a revision to allow all inflammation to subside and the tissue to soften.
Revisions are generally successful but may require removing more tissue or using a different suture technique to ensure a stronger bond.
Patients usually adjust quickly to their new look. The initial period of having static dimples can be socially awkward for some, as people might comment on them. However, as they become dynamic, they integrate seamlessly into the patient’s expressions.
The long-term psychological benefit is often a sustained increase in smiling and confidence. Patients feel their faces are friendlier and more attractive, which positively reinforces social interactions.
The final result is typically a natural-looking indentation that accentuates the smile. When the face is relaxed, the cheek should look smooth or have only a hint of a shadow. When smiling, the dimple should deepen characteristically.
A successful dimpleplasty adds a spark to the smile without looking artificial. The satisfaction rate is generally very high because the procedure fulfills a specific aesthetic desire with relatively low risk and downtime.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
If you decide you don’t like them shortly after surgery, the suture can be removed within the first few weeks to reverse the procedure. However, once the scar tissue forms (after a few weeks), reversal becomes much more difficult and may not be entirely possible.
Initially, it will be intense. As the swelling goes down and the suture absorbs, it will become shallower and more natural. It usually settles into its final depth around 2 to 3 months.
Yes, you can get cheek fillers. However, the injector must be careful around the dimple area. Injecting filler directly into the dimple could lift the skin and erase the indentation. Filler should be placed around the cheekbones to enhance them.
It shouldn’t affect the muscle movement of your smile, only the skin appearance. However, immediately after surgery, you might feel some stiffness or weakness due to swelling. This is temporary and resolves quickly.
For most people, they last a lifetime. The internal scar creates a permanent tether. In a small percentage of cases (less than 10%), the dimple may fade or disappear, requiring a second procedure to recreate it.
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