Tag Archives: Zygomaticus major muscle

Why do some people have dimples in their cheeks?

Dimples are small depressions found in various areas of the body, including cheeks, chin and lower back. They are commonly considered an appearance feature that adds to attractiveness. In this article, we will try to answer the question why dimples are considered attractive, how do they appear and what is their function?

Cheek dimples

Dimples in cheeks are caused by a specific structure of facial muscles, specifically the zygomaticus major. This is the muscle responsible for smiling – when we smile it pulls the corners of our mouth up. Normally, the zygomaticus has two attachments – one above the corners of our mouth and the other on the zygomatic bone (cheek, on the outside of the eye socket). However, people with dimples have a third attachment – to the inner skin of the cheeks. When such a person smiles, the muscle pulls the cheek skin attached to the muscle, forming dimples.

As cheek dimples develop during the fetal period, they are sometimes mistakenly referred to as a birth defect. Although cheek dimples have no biological function, they also have no negative health effects. They simply are, just because they are.

Zygomaticus major muscle (wikimedia commons)

A chin dimple (cleft chin)

Dimples in chin most often appear due to the jawbone structure. The mandible is formed during the fetal period, fusing together from two parts: the left and the right. If the halves do not fuse together completely, it causes a small dimple to form at the junction. As with cheek dimples, this has no biological significance.

In some cases, the chin muscle is responsible for the dimple.

Dimples above buttocks (Venus dimples)

Venus dimples are tiny depressions above the buttocks. They are located in the area of lumbar region completely devoid of muscles. They are most commonly found in women, but some men also have them. In this case we refer to Apollo dimples. As with facial dimples, Venus dimples have no biological significance, although some researchers suggest that dimples above the buttocks indicate better blood supply to the intimate area, which may have a positive effect on sexual experience.

Why are cheek dimples considered attractive?

There are two reasons. First, dimples accentuate a smile, making it appear more sincere and joyful. Second, they look adorable because we associate them with a baby face. Some studies suggest that the presence of dimples can convey more information about the intensity of facial expression.

Can you get dimples in your cheeks from exercise?

Unfortunately, no. Exercising your facial muscles will improve your facial contours and overall appearance. However, it does not make dimples appear by any means. The only solution is a procedure called dimpleplasty. Your physician will make a small incision on the inside of your cheeks through which he will cut a small piece of muscle and remove a bit of fatty tissue, then place a suture connecting the skin to the muscle. The suture is dissolvable, so you will not need to make additional visits to have it removed. In place of the suture, a scar will appear to permanently connect the skin to the muscle. The procedure is very simple and the chances of complications are relatively low.

Cleft chin correction

When it comes to chin dimples, it is a completely different matter. Although in most cases they are celebrated positively, in some cases they can cause disruption to the symmetry of the face. The dimple may be too deep, or unevenly placed. In this case, it is essential to consult the physician. He must determine the cause of dimple and suggest a method of correction. The simplest is to use a filler – hyaluronic acid. Such a procedure takes several minutes and is almost painless. If muscles are responsible for the problem, the physician may recommend an injection of botox, i.e. botulinum toxin. This substance paralyzes the muscles, which will reduce their tension and loosen the pulled skin. Depending on the substance used, the treatment will have an effect of several months to two years. A permanent option is chin surgery. Depending on the need, the physician may file the excess bone, fill the gap with a special implant, correct the muscle position, or use a combination of the above methods. The disadvantage is a long convalescence. There is also a price difference. A cosmetic procedure costs from $200 to $400, whereas a surgical intervention involves the cost up to $2,000.

Sources:

https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/traits/dimples/

https://www.healthline.com/health/dimpleplasty

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2018/06/01/dimpleplasty-5-things-to-know-about-new-plastic-surgery-trend_a_23448435/