Lip/Dimple

Overview

Perhaps you've always wished for dimples to give you a nicer, sweeter appearance. Or maybe, aside from yourself, everyone else in your family has dimples. Whatever the cause, if you've always liked cheek or chin dimples and wished you had them, a dimple creation surgery may be the best solution for you. A dimple creation procedure may offer you dimples that complement your features and fit exactly into the contours of your face.

Perhaps you have no idea what a dimple is. In brief, a dimple is the natural outcome of a little muscle defect. When you smile, the skin on top of this minor muscle defect conforms to the underlying tissue, giving the appearance of a dimple in the cheek (or chin, in some cases).

There is hardly little downtime following dimple creation. You will be able to go home with your new dimples soon after your operation.

Many people find dimples attractive, and dimple surgery is becoming increasingly popular throughout the world. If you are thinking about having this surgery, it is critical that you understand how it works, how to prepare, and what to expect during recovery.

 

What is a Dimple?

A natural dimple is caused by a small opening in the zygomaticus major muscle in the cheek. Although it is an inherited feature, it can be acquired through a minimally invasive surgical technique (dimpleplasty). 

Despite the fact that dimples are caused by a defect in the face muscle, they are regarded as a very beautiful feature in many cultures. Dimples are seen as a symbol of freshness and attractiveness, since they enhance the person's smile. People who are born with natural facial dimples may lose them or observe a drop in depth when their skin, muscle, and physical weight change.

 

How Cheek Dimples Form?

Dimples can be created by a change in a face muscle called the zygomaticus major. This muscle is involved in facial expression. It's the one that helps to elevate the corners of your lips when you smile.

The zygomaticus major muscle normally starts at a bone in your cheek called the zygomatic bone in persons who don't have dimples. It then continues downward, attaching to the corner of your mouth.

On its travels down to the mouth, the zygomaticus major may divide into two separate bundles of muscle in patients with dimples. One bundle connects at the corner of the mouth. The other bundle links below the corner of the mouth and is also linked to the skin above it.

This muscle split is known as a double or bifid zygomaticus major muscle. When you smile, the skin moves across the double zygomaticus major muscle, causing the dimple to appear.

Because cheek dimples might be caused by a muscle variation that happens during fetal development, they are frequently mistakenly referred to as a congenital defect.

It's crucial to realize that cheek dimples are not only common, but they also have no harmful health impacts.

 

Types of Dimples

Cheek Dimples - The most common and well-known dimple on the cheeks; it can be seen in a number of positions on the cheek, and some people only have one dimple rather than two. Dimples can add angularity to the face, and the person getting the procedure is commonly seen to have lost weight.

Chin Dimple - A "cleft chin" is a less common dimple on the face formed by a connection to the underlying jaw bone (i.e. John Travolta). Because it is a dominant trait, if one parent has one, the chances of acquiring one are considerable.

Back dimple - This form of dimple is also known as the "dimple of Venus".

 

Are Dimples Considered Attractive?

If you were to ask a group of people if they found dimples attractive, you’d probably get a large variety of answers or opinions. Some may say that dimples make people look more youthful or approachable.

In certain cultures, dimples are associated with beauty and even good luck. But what does research indicate regarding dimple perception? There is only a few research on this topic.

According to one research, males prefer women with comparable face characteristics to their own, such as eye colour, hair colour, and chin dimples. The study did not look at cheek dimples, but possibly people with dimples like other persons with dimples.

Dimples may also assist us in connecting with others. The existence of human facial characteristics such as a dimple may make an expression or grin more obvious, or may transmit more information regarding the strength of a person's mood.

 

Are Facial Dimples Determined by Genetics?

Dimples-indentations on the cheeks- are common in families and are thought to be inherited. Dimples are often thought to be a dominant genetic feature, which implies that one copy of the changed gene in each cell is enough to create dimples. Some researchers, however, argue that there is no proof that dimples are inherited. There has been little investigation into the genetics of dimples, and it is unknown whether gene or genes may be responsible.

A dimple is a muscular abnormality that generates a dent in the cheek, especially when the person smiles. Some people have dimples on both cheeks, whereas others just on one. Babies' cheeks are likely to have dimples caused by baby fat. Their dimples diminish as they age because they lose their baby fat. Other children do not have them at birth, although they may develop later in life. Dimples last only until adolescence or early adulthood in some persons, while they are a permanent feature in others.

Dimples with a similar look might be found throughout several generations of a family. In one family, for example, it was found that the siblings, their father, uncles, grandpa, and great-grandfather all had dimples in both cheeks. Dimples may appear in a kid in other families, but they are not observed in more than one generation.

 

Contraindications

Dimple surgery has no absolute contraindications. However, some factors, such as infection, increase the likelihood of problems.

These are some examples:

• Prior smoking prior to face surgery.
• Previous oral surgery.
• Dental hygiene or health issues.
• Mouth infection.

You and your plastic surgeon will discuss your medical and dental history before performing dimple surgery.

 

Purpose of Dimple Surgery

Dimple surgery is entirely optional and does not address any underlying medical conditions. The advantages of this treatment are largely associated with increased confidence and self-satisfaction as a result of the altered post-operative physical appearance.

Notably, there is clinical agreement that this procedure results in extremely high patient satisfaction; most patients report that their lives have improved as a result of it.

Unlike other, more invasive procedures, no special testing are required prior to dimple surgery. Typically, the initial appointment entails confirming appropriate overall health and discussing any contraindications with the healthcare professional.

Before surgery, a physical examination of health measures such as weight, heart rate, and blood pressure is usually performed.

 

How to Prepare?

Even though dimple surgery is generally simple, some preparation is required. This may include making some modifications to your lifestyle and medications, as suggested by your healthcare practitioner.

Location.

Dimple surgery is performed in a hospital's outpatient surgical center, a procedural clinic, or a plastic surgery office. During the process, you will be awake and a local anesthetic will be applied.

Here's a quick overview of what to expect:

• Lights: Because the operating area must be well-lit, brilliant adjustable lights will be installed.
• Operating table or chair: To provide your surgeon access to your face and mouth, you will be put on an adjustable operating table or chair.
• Scalpel: Using specialized, tiny scalpels, small incisions will need to be created in your mouth and cheek.
• Surgical scissors: To create the dimple, your surgeon may use specialized scissors.
• Other surgical instruments: Surgical needles and sutures may be required.

 

What to Wear?

Since dimple surgery is an outpatient procedure, you don’t need to bring along a change of clothes.

Your healthcare provider will tell you to wear:

• Loose shirt and/or sweater
• Comfortable pants
• Slip-on shoes
• Normal undergarments are fine, though it’s a good idea to emphasize comfort with these

 

Medications.

Tell your surgeon about all prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbs or supplements you’re taking.

Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop or reduce the following in the days or weeks before your surgery:

• Motrin IB, Advil, and Ibuprofen IB (ibuprofen).
• Aleve, Midol, among others (naproxen).
• Enteric Coated Aspirin, Children’s Aspirin (aspirin).
• Blood-thinning drugs, such as Coumadin (warfarin), Plavix (clopidogrel).
• Estrogen and tamoxifen.
• Herbs and supplements such as vitamin E, fish oil, echinacea, ephedra, ginseng, and St. John’s wort, among others.

Your healthcare provider will tell you if you can take Tylenol (acetaminophen) instead of other pain medications before your surgery.

 

What to Bring?

Even though dimple surgery doesn’t require an overnight stay for recovery, you’ll still need to think about what to bring along. Here’s a quick list:

• Insurance information.
• Identification.
• Glasses or contact lens case.
• A ride home.
• A list of medications, supplements, and herbs you’re taking.

 

Before the Surgery

On the morning of your operation, your surgeon may advise you to wash your face with anti-bacterial soap. Arrive early for your appointment so you have enough time to get settled and complete out intake documents.

You will have a initial examination and consultation, which will involve the following:

• The evaluation of important health measures such as body temperature, heart rate, Blood sugar, blood pressure, and others aids in the safety of the treatment.
• Pre-operative consultation with the surgeon or a member of the medical team to verify there are no serious health concerns.
• Before surgery, the intended dimples exact location is marked with ink. In certain circumstances, you may be requested to specify the specific location where you want dimples.

 

During the Dimple Creation Surgery

Here’s a breakdown of the most common steps of dimple surgery:

1. Anesthesia: A topical anesthetic may be given to the inside of your mouth as well as on your face near the preferred place for the dimples to assist relieve discomfort. This may result in tingling and numbness.
2. Sterilization: To reduce your chance of infection, you'll need to gargle an antibiotic solution.
3. Placement: Using forceps, your surgeon will divide off the corresponding region within your mouth based on the marks of the desired dimples on your face.
4. Injected anesthesia: Once the particular sites for the procedure have been identified, your surgeon will inject further anesthetic.
5. Incision: The surgeon begins the procedure by creating a circular intraoral incision in the desired location. The surgeon takes care not to damage the stensons duct papilla. A little amount of muscle and fat tissue is removed by scraping the mucomuscular attachments in the skin right below the dimple location. This procedure is also performed on the mucosal side, with special care used to prevent injuring the mucosa. The dimple will be formed when the two raw regions generated by the scraping technique adhere to one other.
6. Suturing: A surgical needle is passed through one of the planned dimple ends and through the other, basically making a suture on the inside of the mouth. The targeted dimple's depth is controlled by tightening or loosening this suture.

 

What Can You Expect During Recovery?

Your dimples will be seen instantly, but the ultimate effects will not be evident for two months. The sutures used in this procedure will dissolve on their own and do not need to be removed.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Follow-up: You will have a follow-up visit in one to two weeks to confirm that you are recovering adequately.
2. Liquid diet: Because you will have healing wounds and sutures in your mouth, your healthcare practitioner will advise you to follow a liquid diet for five days after surgery. This will mean fasting from solid foods. You can have protein shakes or soup. Your doctor may also advise you not to use a straw.
3. Working: Most individuals may return to work the same day after surgery; however, you may wish to take a couple of extra days off later due to swelling and redness.
4. Physical activity: While you should be able to perform light everyday tasks without limitation, you should avoid intense exercise for one to two weeks after surgery. If you're unsure if you should do anything, consult your doctor.

If you're planning social events, remember that while you're recovering, your dimples will typically be noticeable whether or not you smile.

 

How to Get Dimples Naturally Without Surgery?

1. Suck Up Your Cheeks.

Make hollow cheeks by pushing in your cheeks. Do this for 10 minutes each day. Because there are no established benefits from this practice, all we can say is that there is no harm in attempting to obtain dimples naturally.

2. Press Cheeks with Index Finger.

Another common dimple face workout is to push your index fingers on your cheeks. Make sure you're pushing on the area where the dimples would be if you had them. Continue pressing your finger on the place for five minutes. Release, smile, and press again on the place. Repeat this workout for 20 minutes every day. This exercise does not provide long-term consequences, but it does produce a momentary indentation. So have your phone charged and ready to take a selfie while the indentation is still visible.

3. Use Makeup to Create an Illusion of a Dimple.

You may also use cosmetics to give the illusion of a dimple. Apply a bronzer or brown eye shadow to the area where you want your dimple to appear. Smudge it with your fingers to create a shadow effect. Now smile to check whether the tactic worked.

4. Dimple Piercing.

If you don't mind a little pain, dimple piercing is your answer to the question, "How can I acquire dimples on my cheeks without surgery?" However, keep in mind that there is a risk of infection, so conduct comprehensive study before opting for his alternative.

Dimple piercing is a popular approach to acquire dimples, but it does come with certain risks. A few things to remember while obtaining a dimple piercing are to choose a professional, to clean your cheeks with anti-bacterial soap before beginning the operation, to use new piercing equipment, and to follow an acceptable after-care routine.

 

Is Dimple Surgery Safe?

Overall, dimple surgery is safe, and complications are rare.

That said, complications can include:

• Excessive bleeding of the incision site.
• Hematoma (bruising).
• Swelling in the facial region.
• Nerve damage due to the procedure.
• Surgical site infection. 
• Chronic infection, a rare complication producing nodules or abscesses due to infection (actinomycosis) by bacteria that's normally present in the mouth and nose.
• Failure of surgery, such as asymmetry of dimples or inadequate dimple formation.

 

Dimple Surgery Cost

A dimpleplasty surgery can range between $1,500 and $2,500. The cost of a dimpleplasty is determined by the location, board certified facial plastic surgeon, length and difficulty of the cosmetic surgery.

 

Conclusion

Dimples are the little depressions in the cheeks that some people get when they smile. Dimples are a hereditary feature caused by indentations in the layer directly under the skin (called the dermis).

Dimple surgery is not a medical necessity; rather, it is a cosmetic technique that people choose to improve their self-image and self-worth. Because it is an outpatient procedure, you will not need to stay in the hospital overnight to recuperate. Because local anesthetic is utilized, you will not be put to sleep during operation.

For each dimple, one incision of approximately 2 centimeters (cm) is performed. Recovery is typically swift and easy. Scar tissue that forms when these small incisions heal eventually creates permanent, new dimples.

Dimple creation is a day case operation that takes 20 - 30 minutes and allows you to go home immediately after. Your recovery will be determined by your age, physical condition, and post-operative treatment quality. Following the treatment, there may be some little swelling; however, this will reduce within a few days. To help you manage with your discomfort and avoid infections, you will be given pain and antibiotic drugs, as well as antiseptic mouth rinses.