Dimple creation surgery is meant to be permanent, and in trained hands it’s generally considered a safe, minor procedure, though it isn’t risk-free. A small stitch ties the skin of your cheek to the muscle underneath, and the scar it forms holds the dimple in place, so it shows up when you smile. Because it’s hard to reverse, it’s worth being sure before you go ahead.

According to Dr. Monisha Kapoor, aPlastic Surgeon in Saket, Delhi, “Dimples look effortless, but making one is a precise job. The position matters more than anything, because a few millimetres off and the smile looks wrong. And it isn’t something you can easily undo, so I’d rather a patient take time to be sure than rush in because a friend or a film star has one.”

Thinking about dimple creation surgery and wondering if it’s right for you? Get honest guidance from Dr. Monisha Kapoor. Enquire Now

How Dimple Creation Surgery Works

• What it does: a natural dimple forms where the skin is held down towards the muscle beneath it, and the surgery creates that same pull.
• How it’s done: through a small cut inside the mouth, a little tissue is removed and a stitch links the skin to the muscle, so there’s usually no visible scar on the cheek.
• Anaesthesia and time: it’s usually done with local anaesthesia and doesn’t take long.
• What you’ll see: the dimple looks strongest right after surgery because of swelling, then softens, and it shows mostly when you smile.

Our Dimple Creation page explains how the position and technique are planned for different face shapes.

Is Dimple Surgery Safe? What to Know About Risks and Results

• With careful selection and a trained surgeon, it’s generally a low-risk procedure, and reviews of the technique describe high patient satisfaction.
• Things can still go wrong. These include infection, bleeding, uneven dimples, a dimple that shows even when you’re not smiling, or one that fades. Injury to a nerve or the saliva duct is rare.
• It’s designed to be permanent. The stitch and the scar hold the dimple in place, and it can’t be easily undone, though a revision is sometimes possible.
• It isn’t for everyone. Go in sure of what you want, and if it’s only a trend you’re following, it’s better to wait.

Dimples can be created on the chin too, and our Chin page explains how chin contouring is approached.

What Decides Whether Dimple Creation Surgery Is Right for You?

• Your face and where a dimple would sit naturally on your cheek.
• Your smile, because the dimple only shows when your cheek moves.
• How sure you are, since the change is permanent.
• Your general health, and being fit for the procedure.
• What you expect. A natural dimple is subtle and shows mainly when you smile.

Key Takeaways

• Dimple creation surgery uses a small stitch to anchor the skin to the muscle below.
• Is dimple creation surgery permanent? It’s designed to be, and it’s hard to undo.
• Is dimple surgery safe? It’s a minor procedure, but infection, uneven dimples and nerve injury can happen.
• Position and depth matter more than anything else for a natural look.
• Take time to be sure, because it’s not a trend you can easily reverse.

FAQs

1. Can dimples be removed after dimple creation surgery?
   They’re designed to be permanent and are hard to undo. A revision is sometimes possible, for example by releasing the stitch and filling the area, but it isn’t guaranteed to bring the cheek back to exactly how it was.
2. Will the dimple show when I’m not smiling?
   It should mainly show when you smile, like a natural dimple. If it’s visible when your face is relaxed, it may have been made too deep, which is one reason careful planning of the position and depth matters.
3. How long does recovery take after dimple creation surgery?
   Most people have some swelling for a few days, and the dimple can look stronger than the final result while it’s swollen. You’ll be asked to keep your mouth clean and eat soft food at first, and the dimple settles over the next few weeks.
4. Who is a good candidate for dimple surgery?
   A healthy adult who understands the result is permanent, has realistic expectations and has been assessed by a surgeon who has checked their face and smile. If it’s only about following a trend, it’s better to wait.

References

1. Dimple Creation Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40555380/
2. Revisiting the Technique for the Creation of a Chin Dimple, PubMed Central: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3385382/

Disclaimer

The information shared in this content is for educational purposes and not for promotional use. It does not replace a consultation with a qualified doctor.