Dimples are tiny, charming indentations that can appear on different parts of the body, most commonly on the cheeks. But there is more to dimples than smiles and selfies. Are you curious about how these dimples form and how they appear on different places? This guide will help you understand everything you need to know about dimples. It covers what dimples are, the different types of dimples you might see (cheek, chin, back, etc), what “dahlia dimples” means, and the basics of dimple chin genetics. Keep reading ahead, as this article will clear a lot of doubts and help you understand the topic well.
What are dimples?
A dimple is a small natural indentation in the skin. Different types of dimples appear on the cheeks and also the chin. They also appear on the lower back (called the dimples of Venus) and other places like shoulders, elbows, and other areas. They form wherever the skin overlies mobile tissue or certain deeper structures. Types of dimples may be present since birth. Sometimes with age and smiling, the dimples become more visible and noticeable.
How Different Types of Dimples Form
The dimples on the face (especially the cheek dimples) form when there is some variation in the muscle of the face called the zygomaticus major. People with cheek dimples may have a muscle that is bifid or split that becomes visible as the dimple. Sometimes an accessory band pulls the skin tightly towards deeper tissue, which creates a dimple when the muscle contracts, like when the person smiles. Chin dimples (sometimes called cleft chins) are anatomically different — they involve a slight variation in the shape or fusion of the chin bone and overlying soft tissue.
Types of Dimples
When people ask about types of dimples or different types of dimples, they’re usually referring to location and morphology. Here’s a practical breakdown.
1. Types of Cheek dimples (fovea buccalis)
- Para-angle (opposite the angle of the mouth): Located roughly at the corner of the mouth.
- Lower para-angle (below the angle of the mouth): The most common facial dimple type; it sits just below the mouth corner.
- Upper para-angle (above the angle of the mouth): Higher on the cheek, nearer the cheekbone.
Surgeons and anatomists group cheek dimples by these positions because they help plan dimple-creation surgery and explain prevalence patterns.
2. Chin dimples (fovea mentalis or cleft chin)
A single vertical indentation or crease in the centre of the chin — commonly called a dimpled or cleft chin. What you see is somewhat skeletal and somewhat soft tissue. It’s not the same as a cheek dimple. The shape of the bone itself and the soft tissue can sometimes create a dimple. According to studies, the inheritance of cleft chin is very complex, and it is often taught to students who study genetics.
3. Dimples of Venus (lower-back dimples)
Also called the dimples of Venus (or dimples of Apollo in males), these are paired indentations on the lower back, just above the buttocks. They are anatomical landmarks over the sacroiliac joints and are caused by an attachment between the skin and the underlying structures. They’re largely benign and often considered an aesthetic trait.
4. Sacral dimples (newborns — clinical note)
Infants have a small pit or an indentation near the crease of their buttocks. These harmless pits are called sacral dimples. Though most are harmless, in some cases, they can cause some spinal anomalies like spina bifida occulta. That’s why a clinical doctor will always inspect to make sure everything is okay. In cases when the sacral dimple is deep, and it is off midline or has hair or skin tags, then the doctor will go for imaging.
5. Other surface dimples
Less common types of dimples include small indentations over the shoulders, elbows or elsewhere (often described in anatomical literature as fossae or localised tethers). These are usually harmless and result from normal variation in skin and soft tissue attachments.
Are dimples genetic?
In this paragraph, you will get the answer to your question” Are dimples genetic?” Many people inherit types of dimples in families, and for a long time, cheek dimples have been described as a dominant trait in basic genetics teaching. However, there are other things worth noting:
Evidence for genetic influence: Studies that were conducted on families with dimples confirm that it could be a trait that is inherited. They concluded that the trait was found in many of their relatives. Medically reliable resources describe dimples as “usually considered a dominant genetic trait,” meaning one copy of a variant could be enough to produce the feature.
Dimples: Not a Simple Mendelian Trait: Recent analyses and population data show exceptions (e.g., two parents without dimples having a child with dimples) and variable expression. According to these findings, there could be several genes and other factors that could play a role. So, dimples are genetic, but we can’t point to a single gene to say it is responsible.
In short: Yes, genetics does matter, but we don’t know how exactly the inheritance works. What we do know is that different factors have an effect on the types of dimples and how prominent they are when they appear.
Dimple chin genetics — is the cleft chin inherited?
Many people learn that a cleft chin is a classic example of a simple dominant trait, but modern genetic studies and family data complicate that picture. Family studies show a clear genetic influence (parents with cleft chins are more likely to have offspring with them), but the trait doesn’t always follow the tidy single-gene dominant model in all populations. In practice, cleft-chin inheritance appears to be polygenic or influenced by multiple factors, including bone shape and growth patterns.
Dahlia dimples and what does this term mean?
Dahlia dimples is not a medical or anatomical term; it’s a modern, aesthetic label used in beauty, social media, and cosmetic communities. The phrase borrows from the dahlia flower (whose petals can form rounded indentations) and tends to describe soft, rounded cheek dimples that appear particularly pretty or pronounced when smiling. You’ll see the term in lifestyle, beauty, and social posts rather than clinical literature. In short: Dahlia dimples = a poetic/marketing descriptor, not a scientific classification.
When dimples matter medically
Most dimples are purely cosmetic and harmless. Some dimples indicate that there could be spinal issues. Paediatricians check if an infant’s sacral dimples seem abnormal and linked to any other skin issues.
If, as an adult, someone suddenly gets an abnormal facial dimple, then that could be a cause for worry. In such a case, the dimples should be inspected by a medical professional.
Otherwise, cheek, chin, and Venus-type dimples are normal variations of human anatomy.
Cosmetic Options: Can You Create or Remove Dimples?
There is a cosmetic surgery available. It is called dimpleplasty. It is a common cosmetic procedure used to create or make changes to existing dimples. It is also an elective surgery. If you want one, you should consult a qualified plastic surgeon. Make sure you understand the risks, realistic outcomes, and recovery details. Conversely, removal or reduction of dimples is less common but possible in some contexts. Surgical literature classifies dimples to help plan where to place or reshape them for the best aesthetic result.
FAQs regarding types of dimples
Q: What are dimples caused by?
A: Cheek dimples are usually caused by a variation in the zygomaticus major muscle that tethers skin when smiling. Chin dimples involve bone/soft-tissue shape differences.
Q: Are dimples genetic?
A: Yes — genetics plays a major role, and dimples often run in families, but the inheritance is not a single-gene, simple dominant trait in every case. Studies and expert reviews emphasise complexity and limited research.
Q: What are the different types of dimples?
A: Main categories include cheek dimples (para-angle, lower para-angle, upper para-angle), chin dimples (cleft chin), dimples of Venus (lower back), and sacral dimples in infants (which may need evaluation).
Q: What are Dahlia dimples?
A: A non-medical, aesthetic term used in beauty and social media to describe pretty, flower-like cheek dimples. Not a clinical label.
Q: Are sacral dimples dangerous?
A: Most sacral dimples are harmless, but some are associated with spinal abnormalities; clinicians assess certain features (size, location, skin changes) to decide if imaging is needed.
Conclusion
Dimples are a great example of how small anatomical variations can have cultural and cosmetic significance. There are many types of dimples. From the familiar cheek dimple (driven by muscle variation) to the cleft chin (bone and tissue shape) and the dimples of Venus (anatomical indentations over the sacroiliac joints), dimples come in several recognisable types. Genetics clearly matters — dimples tend to run in families — but the inheritance pattern is more complex than traditional classroom examples suggest. And finally, terms like Dahlia dimples are part of modern beauty language, not medical terminology.
If you’re curious about your own dimples (or your baby’s sacral dimple), a quick conversation with a family doctor or paediatrician can clarify whether anything medical needs checking — otherwise, enjoy the smile.
